The Thompson Brothers

Thomas, David, Darrell, and Oscar

The Thompson brothers were raised on the Thompson family homestead in Aurora County, South Dakota. Paternal grandparents Oskar and Else Thompson immigrated from Norway in late 1879 or early 1880 with her sister Lettie Sanstol. They settled in Strand, Iowa, where Lettie married Andrew Thomposn. In the fall of 1881 Oskar and Andrew traveled by team and wagon to settle and stake claims in the newly opened Dakota Territory. The two brothers-in-law used their overturned wagon for shelter while they secured materials and built suitable housing for their families. They returned to Iowa for their families in the winter of 1881 and moved them west the following spring.

John Thompson (to the right of Oskar) was the fourth child of Oskar and Else. John married Margaret Cleven in 1932. Margaret's heritage was also Norwegian. Her parents, Tennie and Lizzie Thompson Cleven were also first generation Americans. Margaret was raised on their farm in Landa, North Dakota.

In the early years of their marriage, John was a flour salesman and Margaret, a registered nurse did specialing (taking care of homebound people). Sons Darrell, David, and Oscar were born in Mitchell, SD. In 1938, the family lived briefly on the Jensen place near the Thompson homeplace before moving to Thompson family farm in Aurora County. Thomas was born on the farm.

Darrell (Marine), David (Navy), Thomas (Air Force), Oscar (Army)

This picture speaks volumes of the boys' early life. On the Sunday Thomas was baptized, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The country was at war and our citizens were patriots. These uniforms were a gift from a relative. The family used this picture on their Christmas greeting. This is a traditional family pose. Margaret baked and decorated birthday cakes. The birthday boy was photographed with his cake.

Life on the farm in this trasitional zone between farmland and grazing land was tough. Winters were brutally cold, summers hot. The Thompson brothers worked the land and the hereford cattle from an early age. They worked hard and played hard. They received excellent educations in a one room school house with children in grades one through eight. They attended small high schools and had the opportunity to participate in sports, band, chorus, and extra activities. The family worshipped together at Storla Lutheran Church. Life in the Storla community laid a firm foundation for their future endeavors.

Births

Births

The Thompson family lived at 913 E. Sixth Street in Mitchell, SD. Darrell, David, and Oscar were born at Methodist Hospital in Mitchell. John was traveling when David was born. There is a note in David's baby book that had been left on the door to tell John, “It’s a boy!” Probably Maxine, Eunice, Carmen, or Annie kept Darrell.

By the time Thomas was born, the family had moved to the Thompson homestead. Margaret's first three births had gone well. Midwives had become popular; so Margaret, a registered nurse, decided to deliver at home. It was a decision that almost cost her life and that of her baby.

Ida Thompson (Mrs. Charles Thompson, Margaret’s aunt) served as midwife. The baby's head was large and it became obvious that Margaret could not deliver the child. Dr. Cochran from Plankinton was called in. He used forceps to deliver Thomas. The older boys remember Aunt Ida holding Thomas in a blanket over the open oven to warm him. It is a graphic memory. The birth was difficult and left Margaret in bed for days.