JOSEPHUS THOMPSON, owner of one of the most valuable and best improved farms in Newberry Township, consisting of 280 acres of adjoining land, lying just South of Covington, on the Covington and Dayton turnpike road, was born on this place on January 10,,1840, on the site of the modern brick residence which he erected in 1888. His parents were Samuel and Hannah (Rench) Thompson.

Samuel Thompson was born in North Carolina and was a son of Sylvester Thompson, who settled near Pleasant Hill in Miami County, when he came to Ohio about 1804. Later he entered the land from the Government which his descendants own in Newberry Township and on Greenville Creek. He engaged in the cultivation of his land during his active years and in old age died in a comfortable home, which he had built where he had found a dense forest. Samuel Thompson was two years old when his father came to Miami County and his whole mature life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He married Hannah Rench, who was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Newton Township, Miami County, when a child of two years, by her father, Peter Rench. Samuel Thompson and wife had eleven children, six of whom survive.

Josephus Thompson has spent his whole life on the homestead farm and is surrounded with all the comforts that years of residence in one place make possible. For a long period be was the active cultivator of his broad acres, but it is no longer necessary for him to bear heavy burdens, his capable sons having relieved him of responsibility. They carry on general farming along modern lines, making use of the best farming machinery and securing most satisfactory results.

Mr. Thompson was married January, 31, 1861, to Miss Amanda Rench, a daughter of Otho and Margaret (Elliott) Rench. She was born at Piqua, Ohio, and her mother also was born in Ohio, but her father came from Pennsylvania prior to his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had nine children, namely: Maggie, who married Isaac Bazill, a farmer of Newberry Township, has two children: Roscoe and Charles; Clement, who married Mina Ingle, has four children: Harry, Erla, James and Ruth, and they live on a part of the home farm; George, who resides with his parents, married Cora Brown, and they have had two children: Josephus, living, and Mellie, deceased; Dottie M., who married Levi Warner, of Covington, has two children: Clarence and Reva; William, who married Daisy Hill, resides on the home farm and they have two children: Judson and Leonard; Enima, who is the wife of E.A. Brant, of Covington, has three children: Hubert, Glenn and Helen; and Ed win, Minnie and an infant, all deceased. Mr. Thompson and family are leading members of the Christian Church. He is a good and willing citizen but has never cared for public office and has accepted none but that of school director.