Alfred C. Thompson.—Prominent among the successful and public-spirited men of Edinburg and Johnson County, is A. C. Thompson. As above stated, he is the only surviving member of the family of Alexander Thompson, and was born in Granger County, Tenn., on the 2nd day of September, 1811. Unlike the youth of the present day, his early years were passed amid scenes where a ceaseless routine of labor was the common lot of all, and his educational training embraced only a few months’ attendance each year in such schools as the country at the time afforded. While it can be said that Mr. Thompson is not educated in the sense of scholastic attainments yet, by intelligent observation and the exercise of those qualities which mark the career of the successful man, he has obtained a fund of practical knowledge which has enabled him to discharge faithfully the duties of a very active business life. While still young, he was taken by his parents to Franklin and Fayette counties, Ind., and at the age of ten years accompanied them to Johnson County, where, since the year 1821, he has constantly resided. By the death of his father in 1822, he was thrown upon his own resources, and thus early in life laid the foundation upon which his subsequent successful career was in a large measure founded. He remained at home and grew up a farmer, an occupation he followed with success until 1836, at which time he embarked in the mercantile business at Edinburg, in partnership with T. R. Threlkeld and John S. Thompson. After a time this business was abandoned, owing to the stringency of the times, and he subsequently engaged in the carpenter’s trade, which he carried on about two years. In 1841, he again embarked in the mercantile business, and, in time, became one of the leading merchants in Johnson County. He continued merchandising until 1870, the last ten years of which time he was associated in the business with his son, E. C. Thompson. Having accumulated a handsome competence in the mercantile trade, Mr. Thompson, in 1870, discontinued the business, and the year following, in partnership with his son, E. C., established a bank in Edinburg, which they have since conducted successfully, and which at this time is one of the most substantial and well-known private enterprises of the kind in this part of the state. In 1878, his youngest son, John A. Thompson, became a partner in the institution, and the firm now consists of A. C. Thompson & Sons. Mr. Thompson justly ranks as one of the safest and most successful businessmen of Johnson County. He is a financier of transcendent ability, endowed with wise foresight, intuitive perception, broad comprehension and accurate judgment. He is clear-headed, able to utilize all his energies and accomplish the purpose of his will even though it required long and persistent effort. His life has been free from vicious habits which weaken and destroy the physical system, and although upward of seventy-eight years, he is today in the possession of all his physical and mental faculties, and bids fair to live many years in the enjoyments of his many blessings. He is a conspicuous example of the successful self-made man, and the acquisition of his fortune, amounting to over $159,000, by honest business methods, speaks well for his ability as a financier. He became a member of the Christian Church a number of years ago, and is still a devoted worshipper, contributing liberally of his means toward the support of the Edinburg congregation. Mr. Thompson was married in 1835, to Maria W. Carvin, who proved a helpmate to him in his years of struggle and adversity, and an appreciative sharer of his prosperity. She was a devoted Christian woman, and her death, which occurred on the 14th day of January, 1887, was felt as a calamity by the entire community. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson: Sarah A., born March 29, 1836, died November 3, 1836; Edward C., born December 22, 1837; James M., born April 16, 1840, died August 9, 1844; Harrison C., born July 1, 1843, died August 12, 1844; Mary A., born March 7, 1846, died April 26, 1853; Hannah E., born April 25, 1849; Amanda C., born October 4, 1851, died September 2, 1852; Richard L., born February 9, 1854, died June 27, 1854, and John A., born October 1, 1855. Hannah E. Thompson, the fifth of the living children, was married March 29, 1870, to G. B. McEwen, who died December 9, 1879. Mr. McEwen was born September 7, 1847, and was the second son of William and Mary (McFall) McEwen. The McEwen family came originally from North Carolina, and were among the prominent citizens of Columbus, where William McEwen carried on the banking business. G. B. McEwen was interested with his father in the bank, and became one of the active businessmen of Bartholomew County. He was an accomplished scholar, an active member of the Christian Church, and a gentleman who possessed the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends in Bartholomew and Johnson counties. To Mr. and Mrs. McEwen were born the following children, viz.: Imogene, born December 29, 1870; Edith R., born March 8, 1873, died August 15, 1873; William A., born June 14, 1875; Nannie L., born February 13, 1878, and Lillie, born July 2, 1880.