Wesley Harnsberger [father-in-law of Thomas Thompson] died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John McCaig, March 11, 1896 [Ashland, Nebraska]. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1808; was married in 1836 to Jane Alley. There were eight children born to them, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Maine and Mrs. Reddish living in Iowa, Mrs. Thompson in Colo., J. H. in Arkansas, Mrs. McCaig and W. A. in Ashland.

He in early life became a member of the M. E. Church and lived and died a consitant Christian. He came to Nebraska in 1866 and was one of the first settlers on the prairies of western Cass Co. It was his request that Rev. C. P. Hackney conduct the funeral services at the house and that the Rev. Isaac Stone offer a prayer at the grave. This was done and he was laid by the side of two of his grandchildren in the cemetery ten miles south of Ashland near his old home.

(His body was later moved to the Elmwood, Nebr. cemetery.)

Grand Junction Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado
April 14, 1900

Death of Mrs. Thompson

Mrs. Rose M. Thompson [Ruth Melinda], wife of Thomas Thompson, died this morning at the residence of the family on Pitkin Avenue.

Mrs. Thompson has been a great sufferer for many years. She has been confined to her home for the past three years and has only been able to move around the house. The deceased was fifty-nine years of age and leaves a husband and a family of several children to mourn her loss.

The remains will be shipped to Farnam, Nebraska, her old home.

Undertaker Gourley prepared the body for shipment.

Gothenburg Times, Gothenburg, Nebraska
April 21, 1900

A telegram was received Saturday conveying the sad intelligence that Mrs. Thos. Thompson had died at her home in Grand Junction, Colo., Monday and that the remains would be sent here for interment. Mrs. Thompson had many friends at this place, having resided here several years ago. Two of her children, Mrs. E. T. Buss and J. W. Thompson, still reside here. Besides these two, she leaves three other children and a husband to mourn her death. It is not known when the remains will arrive, as the trains in Colorado have been snow bound the past week. Mr. Harnsberger, Mrs. Thompson's brother, arrived from Ashland Tuesday evening and will remain until after the burial.

The Independent Era", North Platte, Nebraska
16 Jan 1902

A paragraph under the column heading "Farnam Fancies":

The remains of Thomas Thompson, a pioneer resident of this precinct, came in last Monday from Grand Junction, Colorado, and were interred in the family lot in Farnam.

Pontefract and Castleford Express, Pontefract, Yorkshire, England. 16 Mar 1908

MRS. HANNAH WORDSWORTH of PONTEFRACT

A link with Pontefract Wesleyanism has been broken by the death of Mrs. Hannah Wordsworth of Priory Glen, Pontefract, which took place on Monday (9 Mar 1908) The deceased was the estimable widow of Mr. John Wordsworth and a member of one of the human hair town?s best-known and most respected families. She was in her 85th year, and had been in failing health for some time. Since her husband?s death about seven years ago, she lead a very quiet life. She was a daughter of the late Jos. Thmpson of Womersley, and had lived in Pontefract since 1870. Her husband?s connection with the Horsefair Wesleyan Church is well-known, and her interest in the cause was equally deep althugh naturally not as active. She was a member and a regular attender for a great many years. She was also connected with the sewing meetings and other church organizationss. During Mr. Wordsworth?s lifetime at Friarwood Farm, an ?open house? was kept for visiting Wesleyan ministers. In private life the deceased was kindly and charitable and she was very skilful as a nurse and it was doubtless due largely to the great attention she gave to her husband that his life was prolonged to 94 years. Mrs. Wordsworth retained her faculties to within a few days of her demise. Then she gradually yielded to the hair wigs uk weakness of old age and passed peacefully away. Mr. and Mrs. Wordsworth had not family but they have many close relatives in Pontefract among them Messers. Thos. and Alfd. Wordswoth, Mrs. Geo. Brown, and Mr. Percy Thompson, and not very distant from the town are Mr. J. N. Wordsworth and Mrs. and Miss Thompson (wife and daughter of Hannah?s brother, Joseph). The internment took place at Pontefract Cemetery on Thursday and amongst those present were Mr. and Mrs. Percy Thompson, Ald. Wordsworth, J.P.; and Mrs. Wordworth, Mr. Alfred Wordworth, Mrs. Horner, Mr. O. Brown, J.P., and Mrs. Brown (all nephews or nieces), Messers. Hbt. and Willie Wordsworth, Miss Wordsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Winter, and Mr. H. Butler (all grand-nephews or nieces), and Mrs. Popham (London). The Rev. B.C. Baker (Supt.) Wesleyan Minister took the service.

Pontefract and Castleford Express, Pontefract, Yorkshire, England.

The Late Mrs. John Wordsworth...The lace wigs uk death took place on Monday, at the ripe age of 84, of Mrs. Hannah Wordsworth, widow of the lace wigs late Mr. John Wordsworth, who for 60 years carried on the ironmongery business now conducted by Messrs. A. and E. Wordsworth, Market Place. Deceased left Friarwood on the death of her husband some seven years ago, and has since resided at Priory Glen, where she died on Monday, from bronchitis. The interment took place at Pontefract cemetery on Thursday afternoon, the Rev. B. C. Barker officiating.

The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Percy Thompson; Ald. and Mrs. T. Wordsworth; Mr. A. Wordsworth and Mrs. Horner, and Mr. and Mrs. G. Brown (nephews and nieces), Mr. and Mrs. R P. Winter, Miss Wordworth, Messrs. W. and H. Wordworth, Miss Popham, Mr. Harold Butler and Mr. J. Moxon. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Thompson, who carried on a successful business as wheelwright and farmer at Womersley.

Notes from Margaret Smith on hair wigs relationships:
.....Mr. and Mrs. Percy Thompson - nephew of Hannah Thompson Wordsworth
....Alderman and Mrs. T. Wordworth - Thomas, nephew of John Wordsworth
....Mrs. Horner - Lucy, widow of Edward, who was John?s nephew, she married George Horner
....Mr. and Mrs. G. Brown - George and Mary nee? Wordsworth, niece of John
....Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Winter - Richard Percy married Mary Nelstrop Brown, dau. of Geo. and Mary
....Miss Wordsworth
....Messrs. W. and H. Wordsworth - William and Herbert, sons of Alfred Wordworth
...Miss Popham - Annie Popham in 1901 Census, aged 46, living in Westcliff on the Sea (born Pontefract) I don?t know the connection with Hannah
....Mr. Harold Butler - husband of Florence nee? Wordworth, Florence was the dau. of Edward W.
....Mr. J. Moxon - solicitor

Pontefract and Castleford Express, Pontefract, Yorkshire, England. 6 Jun 1907

MR. JOS. THOMPSON, WHITLEY BRIDGE

This deceased, who had entered upon his 73rd year, was well known and esteemed in his own neighbourhood, as well as in Pontefract and other places. Mr. Thompson was a native of Womersley, where for a considerable period he was a joiner and wheelwright on the Womersley estate of the late Lord Hawke.

Some 34 years ago (1870), he moved to Whiltely Bridge, where he carried on the business of a grocer. Until about five years back he was for a long time Overseer of the Poor. Other public offices he did not seek.

In religion he was a Wesleyan.

Although not one of the strongest of men the decease had good health as a rule; indeed, he suffered little, except from influenza, until some five years ago, when he was not so well. Since last Christmas he failed somewhat, and latterly he was far from strong. Seven or eight weeks ago a medical man was called in but later he improved, and as lately as Wednesday last, he was thought to be mending still. On Thursday, however, a serious change took place and death ensued from apoplexy.

Mr. Thompson leaves a widow and one son (Mr. John PercyThompson, of Pontefract, traveller for Ald. Wordsworth, J.P.) and one daughter (Miss Thompson of Whitley Bridge).

The interment takes place today (Saturday) at Kellington Church.

Pontefract and Castleford Express, Pontefract, Yorkshire, England. 6 Jun 1907

THOMPSON--On June 6th, Joseph Thompson, grocer, of Whitley Bridge, in his 73rd year. Interment at Kellington Church today (Saturday) leaving the house at two o?clock. No cards.

Researcher?s Note: A picture of St. Edmund?s Church at Kellington can be found at: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/PhotoFrames/WRY/KellingtonStEdmund_2.html

KELLINGTON, a parish-town, in the wapentake of Osgold cross, liberty of Pontefract; 5 1/2 miles E. of Pontefract and Snaith, 21 miles from York. Pop. 283. The Church is a vicarage, dedicated to St. Edmund in the deanry of Pontefract