James I. Thompson (deceased)—Few businessmen in Johnson County were more widely and favorably known than the late James I. Thompson, of Edinburg. Mr. Thompson was a native of Johnson County, Ind., born April 15, 1841, the son of James and Susan (Collier) Thompson. He was reared and educated in Johnson County, and for some years was prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Edinburg. He subsequently abandoned merchandising, and accepted a position in the large flouring mill of the late John A. Thompson, where he held the position of bookkeeper and general superintendent. While thus employed he married Miss Jennie Cutsinger, daughter of Samuel Cutsinger, of Edinburg, and shortly thereafter engaged in the pork packing business at Columbus, where he continued for some time. Later he established a harness and saddlery business in Edinburg, and after discontinuing this branch of trade, became identified with the Blue River Starch Works, of which enterprise he was one of the proprietors. Mr. Thompson was one of the leading citizens of Edinburg, and a man widely and favorably known throughout business circles of the state. He was a marked example of those sound, practical business qualifications, which secure the confidence of the people, and those personal qualities that win and retain the public esteem. He took an active part in the prosperity of Edinburg, was a liberal patron of all measures, having for their object the material and moral good, and will long be remembered as one of the community’s most progressive and reliable business men. He was a republican in politics, and an active member of the Masonic and K. of P. fraternities. His widow lives in Edinburg, and is the mother of seven children, whose names are as follows, to-wit: Elizabeth, Minnie, James S., Lewis J., John A., Jr., Stella (deceased) and Mary I. Mrs. Thompson has spared no pains in the intellectual improvement of her children, all of whom have enjoyed superior educational advantages. The daughters have attended the well-known Vassar College, of which institution the eldest, Miss Elizabeth, completed the musical course. The second daughter, Miss Minnie Thompson, is an artist of acknowledged ability, and the eldest son, James S., holds an important clerical position in Boston, Mass.