Elder G. M. Thompson, was born April 20, 1811, in Cape Girardeau Coun­ty. Mo. His father, Elder Wilson Thompson, was one of the greatest preachers of the age in which be lived. and like his gifted son, his fame lives after him, for his name is known and honored wherever the Primitive Bap­tists are found. While the subject of this sketch was yet a babe his father removed from Missouri to the state of Kentucky, and after a short residence there, he moved to Ohio, where he spent his youth. From Ohio he moved to Fayette County, Ind., where he lived and labored the most of his life.

Elder Thompson traveled more miles and preached more sermons than any minister living or dead.” No doubt that statement spoke the truth, for during sixty years in storm and snow, in good and ill health, he devotedly fol­lowed the Lord's calling,, often preaching twice a day for months at a time. The numbers baptized by him into the church,if gathered together would be a mighty host marshaled for the army of the Peaceful King. He labored not only in the pulpit, but also with the pen. He has published several books all filled with the faith that possessed his soul. He was a strong man in every sense of the word, and his pure and reproachless spirit is an example worthy of imitation. He died as he had lived. At the very last, while speechless friends were hovering about his bed, he spoke and said: “Turn me, turn me.” Some one bowed to help turn his body in the bed, but he quickly interrupted say­ing. “No, no; turn me to the Cross of Christ!” These were the last words he ever spoke.