Descendants of Charles William Thompson

First Generation

1.Charles William Thompson1 was born on 25 Feb 1847 in Charlestown, Cecil County, Maryland. His daughter Henryette Maybelle "Nettie" Thompson told her grandchildren that:
"Charles William Thompson was born on board a ship crossing the Atlantic.
His mother died onboard the ship crossing the Atlantic.
His father gave Charles William to sister Mary (Aunt of Charles William) to raise." A review of 'arrivals' record a large number of persons with the 'Thompson' name arrived at American ports from Ireland and England in the 1840's is proceeding.

Clara Ruth Knapp Thompson (wife of Charles Harvey Thompson) told her children that their grandfather Charles William Thompson was an orphan who was raised by his aunt.

Several genealogy trees report his place of birth as Charleston, Cecil County, Maryland? Note: there is a 'Charlestown' in Cecil County Maryland on the north end of the Chesapeake Bay and just northeast of present town of Aberdeen, Maryland.

Charles William Thompson stated in Census of 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 that he, his father, and his mother were born in Maryland. We have no way of knowing if he was referring to his biological parents or perhaps his adoptive parents.

Journal of his daughter Henryette Maybelle (Nettie) Thompson.
My grandma Nettie told her granddaughter this story several times, "that her father would travel on horse back to see his Aunt. I found a notation in grandmas (Nettie's) journal telling of this fact per the following:

"This is some of Nettie Thompson Woods fathers Charlie Thompson young life he were born Feb 25the year were 1847 at Baltimore Maryland his mother died when he were just a baby his Fathers sister raised my father till he be came a man then he left Maryland and baught a horse and a sadle and bridal then he started on his journey a cross the USA he had his bed role and some food to eat and a bottle of water to drink he would stop every so often and work for a few days to make a grub stake then he wold travel on for a few more days if I remember right it took him a year to make it then to see his aunt that had raised him and he stayed in Maryland for a while then he came back to Demoines, Iowa and bought a farm and started farmin for several years then he married Isabelle Zimmer then my folks lost the farm in March 1885 so them and several other families decided to come to Idaho they came by wagon train the year of 1886 .......Fire wood were hard to get so they had to burn cow chips to cook their food by one of my fathers horses died on the way so ny father tied the one horse back so it could pull the wagon and my father walked and held up one side of the neck toulk till he could find another horse to buy they had lots of hard ships in those days to travel bt wagons. My folks lived in Boise one year my father worked on the 'new york' ditch then Mr. Thompson and a nother man by the name of Mike Nickolson built a log house on Daget Creek East of Boise up in the timber then they left Boise and moved in their new house the men cut cord wood and delivered it to Boise for three years then the Thompson family moved to Ola Idaho the year were 1892 they took up a home stead then they built a house they proved up on the home stead in the year of Nov 28 1895 I were born and my brother Harvey were born in 1800 then my sister Nellie Bly were born in 1906 and still had the place they both lived there till both died..... "

Signed; Nettie Woods, year 1981

Note. Above is is exactly how grandma (Nettie Thompson Jackson) wrote this, with no periods, just running each sentence on into the next one. I do know that my dad would tell us that his grand dad (Charles William Thompson b. 1847) would leave ever so often on horse back and travel back across the Us to see his Aunt Mary. Contributed by Helen Jackson Hatfield, Sept 2011.

Update. We know of a Mr. Nickolson was listed as living in the vicinity of Daggett Creek and later near Ola, Idaho during the same period (Michael Nicholson living with the Ballantynes in Upper Squaw Creek in the 1900 Census). We can only speculate this was the same Nickolson who moved to Boise Basin to log with Charles William Thompson mentioned in daughter Nettie's journal of 1981. Many of the settlers to Idaho after 1865 were post Civil War migrants who moved from Missouri, Kansas, and similar mid western communities. As was typical of the period many with shared relationships moved and relocated together to gain a new start in the west. He served in the military in the Civil War? in 1863–65. The National Park Service Archives indicate a Charles W. Thompson of Maryland was a member of the 5th Maryland Infantry, Company H as a private and in 8th Maryland Company E. also a private, Reference M 388, Roll 12.

Researching to determine if either of the Charles W. Thompson listed is same person as of Sept 2011 by Wes Bell. A research of available records compiled by the Idaho Historical Society do not mention him by name but it is acknowledged these records are not 100% complete having been compiled from VA and public notices of deaths and remembrances.

Based on verbal and unconfirmed written records; Community of Ola, Idaho recognize him as a veteran of the Civil War and annually place memorials on the grave of Charles W. Thompson.

Oral family history reports "he was too young to enlist but was a wagon−master for a business or organization providing supplies to Union forces."

We may never be able to confirm the facts of his service but the strong oral history in the community of his senior years documents he was in the service of the country (Union) during the Civil War.

He was married and both wife (name unknown) and twins died in childbirth per oral history in 1880 in Iowa. Charles owned a farm per oral history of his grand daughter (recorded 1981) about 1886–1888 in Des Moines, Iowa. He lived ( per birth of his daughter Maggie per his family Bible) on 9 Jan 1886 in Anamosa, Jones, Iowa. He relocated after Aug 1888 in Boise, Ada County, Idaho.

Family Bible records his daughter Maggie was buried in Iowa per his family on 10 Aug 1888. This site of her burial may be suspect as we know his son was born in Idaho in September so it is more likely Maggie died and was buried "en−route" to Idaho on the Oregon Trail.

A diary (by his daughter recorded in 1981) reports he moved by wagon train to Boise, Idaho vicinity and worked on construction of the New York Canal. This canal is an irrigation canal still in use in Idaho as of 2011.

Charles relocated before Sep 1888 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho.

His son Thomas was born at Dagget Creek per Thompson Family Bible on 30 September 1888. The Census of 1900 lists Charles William Thompson as a farmer.

His daughter Jule M. Thompson was born per his family Bible in Nov 1891 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. He buried son Thomas Paul Thompson (per his family Bible) on 4 Feb 1892 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. Charles buried son John on 25 Dec 1894 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. Charles and Isabelle departed Daggett Creek shortly after the death of their third child to did here. Their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th born children were buried in a private family cemetery on Daggett Creek.

From about 1895 to 1941 he was a was a farmer of wheat, hay, and swine in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. He lived (per birth of his daughter Nettie as recorded in his Family Bible) on 28 Nov 1895 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. Charles appeared in the census in Jun 1900 in Upper Squaw Precinct (Ola Valley), Idaho where he listed his occupation as a Farmer.

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Charles Thompson, [Charlie Thompson]
Home in 1900: Upper Squaw, Boise (County), Idaho [Boise, Idaho]
NOTE: Upper Squaw Creek is in the Ola Valley which after 1920 became portion of 'GEM' county.
Age: 51, Birth Date: Feb 1849
Birthplace: Maryland
Father's Birthplace: Maryland, Mother's Birthplace: Maryland
Spouse's Name: Isabelle M Thompson
Marriage year: 1885, Marital Status: Married, Years married: 15
Occupation: View on Image [Farmer]
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Thompson 51
Isabelle M. Thompson 35
Nettie M. Thompson 4
Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Upper Squaw, Boise, Idaho; Roll: T623_232; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 32.

He lived (per birth of his son Charles Harvey Thompson per his Family Bible) in Aug 1900 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.

He was awarded a patent for 120 acres of land in GEM county on 12 Dec 1901 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. US Dept of Interior, BLM General Land Office ( http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=IDIDAA 029266&docClass=SER&sid=1dxfsqba.pop#patentDetailsTabIndex=0 )
web research of September 30, 2011:
Accession Number IDIDAA 029266
Serial Patent
State of Idaho
Issue Date 12/17/1901
Authority; May 20, 1862; Homestead Act (12 Sat. 392)
120 acres
TWP − Range 010N − 001E E1/2SW 1/4 SECTION 35 GEM COUNTY
TWP − Range 010N − 001E SE1/4NW 1/4 SECTION 35 GEM COUNTY
(refer BLM Document Number 1698)

There is oral history (of his grand daughter Nettie) Charles William Thompson acquired the property from "Dymoke" for a horse, wagon, harness and the best suit money could buy in Boise. We have not been able to confirm this fact as the land was first platted to Charles Thompson per BLM records. Perhaps the Dymoke family settled the property initially but had not met terms or applied for a land patent?

Neighborhood children recall he had constructed a wonderful spring box for drinking water. The spring had a really neat "springhouse" and was enclosed with a white picket fence. The family grew 'water cress' near on in the vicinity of the spring. Children remember the springhouse was cool and had a screen door. A "pie cherry tree" was near the spring and was known for supplying fruit for splendid pies!

Charles lived in 1906 in Jack Knife Community (Ola Valley), Gem County, Idaho.
We know the family was in the community south of Ola in 1906 as there is a photo of Isabelle and her two children Nettie and Charles Harvey at Jack Knife School.

He opened a "butcher shop" at Jack Knife per the Emmett Index (newspaper) in Apr 1908 in Jack Knife Community (Ola Valley), Gem County, Idaho. This Butcher Shop may have been near the McKeller Store. The McKeller family were next door neighbors (to the East of the Thompsons) and you had to travel across the McKeller property to get to the Thompson homestead from the Ola−Sweet Road. A Jack Knife Saloon was built on the McKeller property in about 1909−1910 and later this was a "way−station" on the stage line. Mother of Myrtle Potter Butler lived in the old saloon building until her last years.

He appeared in the census in 1910 in Upper Squaw Precinct (Ola Valley), Idaho.
1910 United States Federal Census.
Name: Charles Thompson, Age in 1910: 63, Estimated Birth Year: 1847
Birthplace: Maryland
Father's Birth Place: Maryland
Mother's Birth Place: Maryland
Spouse's Name: Belle M Thompson
Home in 1910: Upper Squaw Creek, Boise, Idaho.
NOTE: Upper Squaw Creek is in the Ola Valley which after 1915 was within boundaries of 'GEM' County.
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Thompson 63
Belle M. Thompson 46 (Isabelle Mary)
Nettie M. Thompson 14 (Henryette Maebelle)
Harney C Thompson 9 (Harvey)
Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Upper Squaw Creek, Boise, Idaho; Roll: T624_222; Page: 8A;
Enumeration District: 0073; Image: 640; FHL Number: 1374235.

Charles appeared in the census in Jan 1920 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.
1920 United States Federal.
Name: Charles Thompson, Home in 1920: Ola, Gem, Idaho, Age: 73
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847, Birthplace: Maryland
Spouse's Name: Bell Thompson
Father's Birth Place: Maryland
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Thompson 73
Bell (Isabelle) Thompson 55
Charles H. Thompson 19 (son)
Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Ola, Gem, Idaho; Roll: T625_291; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 78; Image: 562.

He appeared in the census in Apr 1930 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho where he was a farmer.
1930 United States Federal Census.
Name: Thompson Chas Allen, [Charles Thompson] [Thompson Chas Zimmer]
Home in 1930: Ola, Gem, Idaho
Age: Age With 12ths ('83), Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Maryland, Listed his marriage as when he was 38 yrs which matches for the known date of his marriage to Isabelle Mary Zimmer in 1885.
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Maryland, USA
Mother's Birth Place: Maryland, USA
Spouse's Name: Mary Belle Allen ( This is Isabelle)
Household Members: Name Age
Thompson Chas Allen 83 (This is Charles William Thompson)
Mary Belle Allen 66 (This is Isabelle Mary Zimer Thompson)
Dick Jackson 10 (grandson)
Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Ola, Gem, Idaho; Roll: 399; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 854.0.

It is noted in the Census several long term residents (and their families) were neighbors: Daniel B. Griffith, Eugene Holbrook, Budette B. Burdette, Perkins, Harriet McKeller, etc.

He visited neighbors about 1934–1941 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.
Charles William Thompson was known to walk frequently in the Ola−Sweet vicinity and visit, often staying a few days, with his neighbors and long time acquaintances. Some recall he enjoyed children and a good meal did not hamper his appetite for conversation. Neighbors recall he would often show up when a big meal had been prepared as if he had a 'sixth sense!'

Children and neighbors of the Ola vicinity recall:
Charles William Thompson had a large booming voice who always spoke with a smile to the children.
Clearly he had a playful side and 'soft spot' for children.
The children of the community recall he always had his beard.
Several recall his walking over a large swinging bridge just North of Sweet on Squaw Creek and the bridge just "swaying" (bouncing as he traversed) as he travel to Liberty (County: Gem County, Latitude: 44.0376675, Longitude: −116.3120769) to visit his daughter Nettie. Nettie was the local newspaper writer who would write of the events and times of early mining community of Liberty. She often wrote of her family and of her father's visits.

Neighbor children recall while he would be working in his field and "setting irrigation," they would sneak to his home and turn over his dinner plate and cup, which he had always turned upside down on his table awaiting next use. His bed was sheep skin pulled over a frame and covered in quilts. One caution was always to steer clear of Mr. Thompson when he was using chewing tobacco as one might receive a "deposit" in a most colorful manner if you were between Mr. Thompson and a location for disposal!

Children recall in the summer he would sleep outside on a cot and one time a neighbor (Mr. Griffin) rode his horse right up to Charles while he slept outside on his cot to alert Charles his the Thompson pigs were straying. Descendants of his neighbors (Perkins, Griffith, McKeller, DeMasters, Holbrook, Frandsen) all recall sometimes funny and warm recall of Charles William Thompson.

We suspect as a widowed man of 87−93 years he enjoyed the company of those he frequented.
Charles died on 19 Feb 1941 at the age of 93 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.
No obituary was found in the Idaho Statesman.

Idaho Death Index, 1911−51.
Name: Thompson, Charles, Year: 1941, Certificate Number: 123248
County of Death: Gem, City: Sweet
Date of Death: 19 Feb 1941
Date of Birth: 25 Feb 1847
Source Information: Ancestry.com. Idaho Death Index, 1911−51 [database on−line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003.Original data: Bureau of Health Policy and Vital Statistics. Idaho Death Index, 1911−51. Boise, ID, USA: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Family oral history reports: "The day prior to his death he had been in Sweet and walked to his home to Ola where the following day he appeared to have ate his lunch, sit down by a tree, and died leaning against the same tree where his body was found." This may have been a 'walk' of about 15 miles for a 93 year old person. He was known to walk to distant communities of Sweet, Liberty, Parma, and Roswell, Idaho to see family members.

He was buried maybe 21 Feb 1941 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.2
He is buried in the Ola Community Cemetery and his gravestone is shared with that of his wife Isabelle. Nearby is a gravestone for his infant daughter Nellie.

His gravesite confirmed, buried next to wife and Nellie (daughter) at Ola Community Church Cemetery in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.

Charles William Thompson and Isabelle Mary "Belle" Zimmer were married on 5 Mar 1885 in Anamosa, Jones, Iowa.1 He and wife Isabelle reported in Census of 1900 that they had been married 15 years, and in Census of 1910 they had been married 25 years. This would put the year of their union as 'about' 1885. Year of 1885 would match recording in their Thompson Family Bible.

Witness to marriage were Mr. H. Niles, Mrs. H. J. Niles, Brank E. Brush, M.E. Church per Thompson family bible held by Loyd Thompson as of Jan 2009.

Anamosa, Iowa is located in Jones County (twenty miles East of Cedar Rapids and short distance from Wisconsin and Illinois).

In the Census of 1930 he stated he was first married at age 38 which, if correct, would reflect he was only married once, or he only reported his marriage with Isabelle in this Census.

Isabelle Mary "Belle" Zimmer, daughter of Adam Paul Zimmer and Margaret Funk, was born on 5 Feb 1864 in Illinois.
In Census of 1900 and 1930 she reported she was born in Feb 1865 in Illinois and both her parents were born in New York.
In Census of 1880 both her parents indicated they and both their parents were born in New York. She further reported in several Census her middle initial as "M." or "Mary." Her grandfather John Zimmer, Jr (1801−1871) and his wife Elizabeth Schoolcraft lived their lives in Newark Valley, Tioga, New York. In Census of 1860 her father stated he was a "Shoemaker." She had 4 siblings per searches on Ancestry.com (Georgiana b. 1850, Charles F. 1851−1917, Henryette b. 1852, William H. b. 1858).

She appeared in the census in 1880 in Maple Creek, Furnas, Nebraska.
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Isabelle Zimer [Isabelle Zimmer]
Home in 1880: Maple Creek, Furnas, Nebraska
Age: 16, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1864
Birthplace: Illinois
Relation to Head of Household: Dau (Daughter)
Father's name: Adam R. Zimer, Father's birthplace: New York
Mother's name: Margaret Zimer, Mother's birthplace: New York
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Adam R. Zimer 53
Margaret Zimer 53
Oscar Zimer 20
Isabelle Zimer 16
Carrie May Zimer 14
Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Maple Creek, Furnas, Nebraska; Roll: 749; Family History Film: 1254749; Page: 719D; Enumeration District: 26; Image: 0242.

Maple Creek is close to the Nebraska/Iowa state border (East of Highway 283) in South Central Nebraska.

She lived in 1888–1894 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. Three of her children (Thomas, Jule, and John) are buried in a small cemetery on Daggett Creek in Boise County. Daggett Creek was named on the earliest maps pre 1870 and many have sought the source of this naming. This small cemetery is on the former Rodwell property ranch on Daggett Creek. This historic pioneer cemetery has been referred to under multiple names; Daggett Cemetery, Thompson Cemetery, Rodwell Cemetery, Dagget−Thompson−Rodwell Cemetery, etc.

SAW MILLS IN VICINITY OF DAGGETT CREEK IN BOISE BASIN. Charles Thompson was reported to have worked at a mill. Idaho history records refer vicinity as both a logging and sawmill enterprise region depending on the source of the documentation near "Halfway." There was more than one mill in the vicinity. Long term members of the community recall their parents (pre 1940) referred to the creek in a swale below the cemetery was referred to as "Thompson Creek." Halfway was later a stage stop on the old stage line between Boise and Idaho City which can be located on old maps of the region on Mores Creek.

In a 1867 land transaction between Anthony Moore to I. Simpson: "1/2% of Daggett Creek Sawmill, North Side of Daggett Creek, 3/4 mile up the creek about opposite "1/2 way house" known as Simpson Company in exchange for 2 lots in Boise for a lumber yard. " Source: files at Idaho Historical Society, Boise. This preceding describes the mill near the point where Daggett Creek emptied into Mores Creek.

There were multiple sawmills in vicinity of Daggett Creek. There was a sawmill on Rush Creek which is just below Daggett creek…on the road which now is the entrance to Wilderness Ranch. The Schelosky sawmill was above the Larson's property on a West branch of Daggett Creek. The Rodwells had a 'mini' mill on their property while they constructed their home. Clear Creek sawmill was originally just over the ridge of Daggett creek on Clear Creek (per Boise County Historian Jo Crandall November 2011).

There is an original oil painting held by Thompson family members of an old sawmill on or in the vicinity of Daggett Creek of the period (1888). Oral history of Isabelle Zimmer Thompson to her grandchildren related the painting was produced by a lady in the camp while Isabelle and Charles lived here. As of 2011 some believe the painting (per the silhouette of the hills in the painting) is of a sawmill which was below the Daggett−Thompson−Rodwell Cemetery on the property held by the Anderson family before 1950. We may never know which mill the painting was actually of, but Thompson family members value the painting as it contributes to the history record of the era and community.

Daughter Nettie Thompson in her diary states her father would cut wood and haul it to Boise for the growing needs of the new state capital and surrounding community. His granddaughter (Lois Ann) recalls her grandfather would speak of floating logs he had cut down to Boise via Mores Creek and Boise River when streams were running high in the spring.

DAGGETT CREEK PROPERTY OWNERSHIP. Property surrounding the small cemetery on Daggett Creek property was or has been owned in by Thompson, Daggett, Rodwell, and Hochstrasser families. Mr. "Daggett," who according to a Idaho History book, died as a result of his injuries in a sawmill accident and was buried on his property.*

Mr. E. L. (1900−1984) and Mrs. Nellie Rodwell (1903−1983) purchased the property (about 80−90 acres) from Daggett and lived on site most of their life here. The Rodwells constructed their home (which was still standing in 2011) from logs harvested on the hillside above the cemetery. The Rodwell family had a 'mini' sawmill on the property. An irrigation ditch down slope and upslope of the cemetery was constructed by a Mr. Roice. Hilda Larson's father related to his daughter he helped construct the two ditches to provide water for farming the area known in 2011 as Wilderness Ranch. Mrs. Rodwell was known to tend and decorate the graves of the three Thompson children until late in her life. She kept this monument cleared and planted flowers on the site. She had a lilac bush near her cabin and for Memorial Day she would always place flowers on the graves. A marked grave on site is "DAGGET" and is believed to be of Mr. Daggett who previously owned portions of the property. We have also become aware that in the 1930's Mrs. Nelson, a local life long resident of the community, would tend the graves as have other local Daggett Creek families up until the 1950's.

The cemetery was initially a separate land parcel from the main parcel where the Rodwell cabin presently resides. The property was transferred to the State of Idaho for construction of a school or in support of schools upon the instructions of the Rodwells at the time of their death.* Descendants of the Rodwells owned in later years parcels of land to the North−Northeast of the old original Rodwell cabin/homestead (as of 2011).

The Hochstrasser family of Boise purchased about 30 +or− acres, including the cemetery, from a State of Idaho Excess Property sale for about $345 and $18 a year taxes in 1940's. The state did not have need of the site for a school or support of schools so the property was sold at a state excess property sale per the Hochstrasser family. The location of the old community school about a mile away is illustrated on a 1940 Metsker map of the Daggett Creek vicinity. Descendants of the original Hochstrasser family presently (2011) own about 34 acres, including the cemetery. They do not recall any discussions with the Rodwell's as to where the original Thompson home was located. There is some remainder of the irrigation ditch still on the site which provided irrigation to a farm down slope. The old original Daggett Creek road was previously on the cemetery side of the creek until relocated by the county. The Hochstrasser family personally reforested the site after a devastating forest fire raked the site in the 1950's.*

* Per the Hochstrasser family as of October 2011. The 1940 Metsker Land maps do not confirm land holdings of Rodwell or Hochstrasser, however, information from the Hochstrasser family and persons who have lived long term in the community is considered to be accurate.

THOMPSON FAMILY RE−LINKS WITH CEMETERY SITE. There is a Thompson family story related by grandchildren; "Charles Harvey Thompson and his wife Clara Ruth Knapp where visiting her brother Glen Knapp and in the course of conversations Glen mentioned he 'summered' sheep on the hills in vicinity of Daggett Creek and he would look for the graves of his sisters husband's three siblings. Glenn Knapp apparently found the graves on the present day Hochstrasser property with the assistance of an elderly lady by the name of Nelson who owned property and lived at the time (early 1950's) in the Daggett Creek vicinity. Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Larson, and several other community leaders have led preservation and stewardship efforts of the Daggett−Thompson−Rodwell Cemetery at various times.

Charles Harvey and his wife Clara Ruth Knapp thus knowing the location of the family cemetery on Daggett Creek went to the site. A primitive concrete monument was placed on the common grave for the three Thompson children in the early 1950's (about 1952−1954) by Charles Harvey and his wife Clara Ruth Knapp Thompson. There is a Thompson family photo of this event. Charles Harvey and his sister Henryette Maebelle "Nettie" Thompson were the only surviving of seven children of Charles and Isabelle who were later raised in the Ola Valley north of Sweet, Idaho after 1898. Family recall Isabelle Thompson stated to her grandchildren that she had carved wooden grave markers for the deceased children and these most likely deteriorated due to climate conditions. The parents (Charles William and Isabelle Mary Thompson) of the three children buried here moved to Ola, Idaho shortly after the death of their fourth child (child number 2, 3, and 4 are the three of their children buried here) on Daggett Creek. It is believed Charles William and Isabelle Mary Thompson never returned to the site once they moved to Ola, Idaho vicinity (per Lois Ann).

POST 1960'S. A local Boy Scout group did some 'work on the cemetery...' in the early 1980's per the Hochstrasser family. Some of the descendant Thompson family members believe the present shared concrete grave monument for the three Thompson children may have been replaced but others familiar with the site believe there has been only one concrete marker. Thompson family members believe the original monument constructed by sibling Charles Harvey and his wife Clara Ruth Knapp Thompson in the 1950's was of lesser quality cement than the present monument. A person by the name of "Roice" is also reported to be buried on this site just down the slope from the Thompson children graves but the grave marker has not be located for many years (source Jo Crandall, Boise County Historian). There may also be another grave which the headstone has been lost to the elements between the Thompson and present day Rodwell graves.

The Hochstrasser's indicate the remains of the Rodwell's were relocated to the site from a prior burial location.

HISTORICAL DESIGNATION. This pioneer cemetery was designated September 2009 as "Idaho Historic Site Number IHSI 15−17888 on Dunnigan Creek 7.5' USGS Quadrangle map in the SE 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 16, Township 4 North, Range 4 East." This site is approximately one mile from Idaho State Highway 21, Mile Marker 24. Site was verified by Steven Corder (great grandson) and Wesley Bell (related by marriage to great granddaughter), June 2009. Caution. Do not confuse the Daggett−Thompson−Rodwell Cemetery with another cemetery of the period on actual Dunniagn Creek near the old mill site on Mores Creek.

SITE ACCESS. This cemetery is on private property and is "POSTED" in accordance with the Statues of the State of Idaho. The Hochstrasser family request they be contacted before anyone attempts access to their private property. Wes and Patty Bell have contact information for persons wishing to obtain permission to access the site.

Isabelle (Belle) appeared in the census in 1900 in Upper Squaw Precinct (Ola Valley), Idaho. In the Census of 1900 she stated she had been mother of 5 children but only 1 child (Nettie) was living this date. She is in a photo of staff and children about 1906 at Jack Knife School in Jack Knife Community (Ola Valley), Gem County, Idaho. There is oral history she may have assisted in the education of her children at the school. Isabelle's granddaughter (Lois Ann) recalls her grandparents would speak of "boarding" teachers for the local school. We know Isabelle's parents were from New York and education was something she valued for her children. She received post cards from teachers (per Loyd) who had bordered at her home while they taught at the Jack Knife School about 1909–1929 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. Belle lived in 1910 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. She sold seeds and was a 'midwife' in the Ola and Sweet, Idaho vicinity. She gave birth to seven children and was known per oral history to assist in the birth of babies in the Ola Valley.

Neighborhood children recall she had a somewhat 'unique corn cob pipe' and she could be found resting in a rocker smoking her pipe.

She made wooden items (book shelves, sewing boxes, magazine racks, towel racks, match holder, etc.) for family members from 'fruit' shipping crates. She had almost no tools and would carve 'relief' on the items with a large metal file and a pocket knife. She used wax and fruit coloring to color images of roses and other flowers on her products and oils to protect the finish. Several items were intricate laminated layers and carefully carved. Many of these items retain their color and original finish as of 2011. She had a what today would be called a artist studio in the attic of her home where she produced her wood work items. A grandson (Jackson) recalls visiting and watching his grandmother diligently working 'in her attic.'

Wooden items were held by family members Lois Thompson Thorp, Loyd Thompson, Steven Corder, Margaret Corder Cox, Patricia Corder Bell, Helen Jackson Hatfield, Potter family of Sweet, Idaho in 2009. Patty holds a magazine rack, Steven holds a keepsakes box, Margaret holds a keepsake box and a small rocking chair, Loyd holds a keepsake box, glove box, and towel bar/rack, Helen holds a small keepsake box, a large sewing box, a glove box, Lois holds a wall medicine cabinet, clock shelf, dresser box's, Lisa Thompson Ewing holds a chair, Lori P. holds a lap desk with small box.

Mrs. Myrtle (Boyd) Butler (who was a neighborhood child) has what is believed to be a one of a kind large (about 3 foot by 3 foot) picture frame created by Isabelle. The frame is multi−layered and hand carved trim. As of 2011 the frame holds an image of Mrs. Butlers great grandfather in his Civil War uniform. Members of Mrs. Butlers extended family also have wooden boxes and matchbox holders created by Isabelle. There is recollection in the Ola Valley Isabelle once made a large bed headboard using the same techniques and skills she had honed in construction of her special boxes and crafts.

Oral history recalls she would carry her tools and some wood in a shoulder bag when she visited neighbors. These items were useful if she was assisting with a birth in the Ola Valley. One story recalls how she worked on a matchbox holder while she assisted and awaited the birth of Tom Cherry (b. 1904) later to give the match box and a dresser top keepsake box to members of the Cherry family which they hold dear.

Several extended family members and neighbors own boxes (keepsake boxes and some are referred to as jewelry boxes) of various sizes she made. She also made large picture frames and a grandson (Loyd) recalls he made a portable "lap desk." She made and gave carved wooden items to extended family (Knapp, Cherry, Butler, Griffith, McKeller, and others) and neighbors as gifts for special occasions.

She made "crazy quilt pattern quilts" for her children and grandchildren. Three of these quilts were known to exist in 2009.

She appeared in the census in 1930 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. She died on 15 Jan 1934 at the age of 69 in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho. Mrs. Thompson was remembered has having difficulty with her right leg, perhaps a stroke, as in her late years she would use a straight back chair as a crutch to get around her home. She would 'scoot' the chair while using it to support her right leg at the knee.

She was 17 years younger than her husband and she lived 70 Years, 10 Days. Idaho Death Index, 1911−51 Name: Thompson, Belle, Year: 1934
Certificate Number: 087434, County of Death: Canyon, City: Nampa
Date of Death: 15 Jan 1934
Date of Birth: 5 Feb 1864

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Idaho Death Index, 1911−51 [database on−line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003. Original data: Bureau of Health Policy and Vital Statistics. Idaho Death Index, 1911−51. Boise, ID, USA: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

No obituary recorded in Idaho Statesman.

It was noted in the Emmett, Idaho newspaper that "Mrs. Chas Thompson of this place passed away in Nampa Monday evening where she has been under a doctors care. She had been in poor health for a number of years. Mrs. Thompson moved here with her husband over 40 years ago from Boise Basin. They have lived on the same farm they moved onto."

A note of thanks appeared a week later: " We wish to thank our friends for the floral offerings and help during our recent bereavement Chas. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Woods and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Thompson."

She was noted in cemetery records at the Ola Cemetery as a "midwife, gifted wood carver, tiny itty bitty person who wore long dresses." Her grandchildren remember her smoking a "corncob pipe" and she had a pleasant disposition.

Belle was buried on 18 Jan 1934 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. She is, photos of gravesite confirmed, buried next to husband and daughter at Ola Community Church Cemetery in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.

Charles William Thompson and Isabelle Mary Zimmer had the following children:

2 i. Maggie Thompson was born on 9 Jan 1886 in Anamosa, Jones, Iowa.1 Record of birth and death per family Bible of Charles William Thompson.
She died on 10 Aug 1888 at the age of 2. She lived 2 years, 7 months, 1 day.

The location of her death has not been confirmed. There is potential she died "en−route via wagon trail" to Idaho.
As of 2011, there was no record of her death in Iowa per the WPA gravestone project of the 1930's. Note this may be due to fact she did not have a gravestone as oral history from 1981 records the family was on hard times and lost their farm in 1888 near Des Moines, Iowa.

Her brother Thomas Paul Thompson was born in Idaho in September 1888. (Thus if she died in August 1888, per the family Bible, then the family would have had to have been "en−route" by wagon train given the date for her death recorded in the family Bible (of her parents).

3 ii. Thomas Paul Thompson was born on 30 Sep 1888 in Idaho.1 He died on 4 Feb 1892 at the age of 3 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho.
He lived 3 years, 6 months, 3 days.
He was buried about 6 Feb 1892 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho.
Gravesite and photos thereof confirmed June 2009.
Gravesite headstone was in good condition.
Graves are 0.85 miles West−Northwest off Daggett Creek Rd from Mile Marker 24 on Idaho State HY 21. Entrance is at junction of Daggett Creek and Eagle Lane.
Proceed 800−850 feet to SOUTH across creek, up a minimal grade to SW over a old logging road, then up across a Chinese Ditch to a knoll where the graves are located.
Graves marked with a headstone and metal cross.
Also at this plot is one grave marked "Dagget" and two graves from 1983 and 1984 for original Rodwell homesteaders.
Site verified by three Corder children (Steven, Margaret, Patricia) and Patrica's husband Wesley Bell June 2009.
A request was sent June 30, 2009 to Idaho State Historical Preservation Officer to have the historical cemetery recorded on state maps and records.
Three Thompson children are buried here.

NOTE: graves are on private property.

4 iii. Jule M. "Toddy" Thompson was born on 18 Nov 1891 in Idaho.1
The Thompson Family Bible does not list this person as either male or female. There is potential either designation may be correct, however, the middle initial of "M." fits the naming patterns of the period for William Charles Thompson's mother 'Mary' and Isabelle Mary Zimer's middle name of Mary. There is oral history from her sibling Nettie recalling this was a male and oral history from her sibling line of Charles Harvey that this was a female.

She died on 23 Aug 1893 at the age of 1 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho.
She lived 1 Year, 9 months, 5 days.
A descendant (Lois Ann) recalls her grandfather told the story; "Isabelle was in town at Fort Boise (known as the 2nd or replacement Fort Boise) giving birth and Jule died back home with her father at Daggett Creek. When Charles William arrived in Boise to retrieve his wife and new baby, Isabelle asked him where Toddy was?" and thus Charles William had to tell his wife her only living daughter had died while Isabelle was in town."
She was buried after 24 Aug 1893 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. Nickname for her was "Toddy" per oral story of her death.

5 iv. John William Thompson was born on 18 Aug 1893 at Fort Boise Military Reservation in Boise, Ada County, Idaho.1 He died on 25 Dec 1894 at the age of 1 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho.
He lived 1 year, 4 months, 7 days.
He was buried about 26 Dec 1894 in Daggett Creek, Boise County, Idaho. Birth was at old Fort Boise per oral history (per Lois Ann).

+6 v. Henryette Maybelle "Nettie Mae" Thompson, born 28 Nov 1895, Ola, Gem County, Idaho; married Melvin Walter Jackson, 16 Jun 1917, Emmett, Gem County, Idaho; married William Woods, 29 Dec 1931, Emmett, Gem County, Idaho; died 11 Nov 1988, Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.

+7 vi. Charles Harvey Thompson, born 5 Aug 1900, Ola, Gem County, Idaho; married Clara Ruth Knapp, 10 Jul 1924, Boise, Idaho; died 5 Jan 1969, Idaho.

8 vii. Nellie Bly Thompson was born on 22 Jun 1906 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.1 She died less than three months of age on 9 Sep 1906 at the age of 0 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. She lived 2 Months, 18 Days. She is buried Ola Community Cemetery, Ola, Idaho next to parents. Grave is to the back side of cemetery directly EAST from the Church. She has a single gravestone confirmed June 2009.

She was buried about 10 Sep 1906 at Ola Community Church Cemetery in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.

Second Generation

6. Henryette Maybelle "Nettie Mae" Thompson (Charles William−1) was born on 28 Nov 1895 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. 1 She may have been name for her mother's sister (Henryette born 1852 in New York). She appeared in the census in 1910 in Upper Squaw Precinct (Ola Valley), Idaho. She gave birth to Ada Mae on 16 Jan 1927 in Pearl, Idaho. Nettie gave birth in a covered wagon to Ada Mae near Pearl, Idaho per 1998 obituary of Ada Mae. Pearl was a frontier mining town is located between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend SOUTH of the Payette River approximately 10 miles. Pearl was a ghost town largely after 1930's more or less.

Nettie Mae lived (per obit of her mother Isabelle) in Jan 1934 in Brownlee, Idaho. She wrote a local 'what's happening column' for the local Emmett Index newspaper about 1935–1940 in Liberty, Gem County, Idaho. She was known for her pies and biscuits her children and grand children fondly remember in 1950–60 in Liberty, Gem County, Idaho. Nettie Mae home destroyed by fire about 1962–1963 in Liberty, Gem County, Idaho.

There was a fire after 1961 which destroyed the home of Nettie Mae and Bill Woods near Sweet. Grandchildren relate: "Bill Woods was in the barn when the fire started and arrived to see Nettie Mae attempting to save items by tossing them out the window of the burning home to a wheel barrow. Not very many items were saved. This home, which burned, had been the original homestead of Bill Woods father."

Bill's family homestead was near Valley School District School Number 5, on Metskers 1939 map of Township 8 N., Range 1 E., Squaw Cr., Dyes Gulch, Coon Cr., Section 14. Some old timers refer to this area as Brownlee but community of Brownlee was further north of Liberty mine community and today (2011) is actually in Boise County.

She attended her brothers funeral (rode with nephew Kenneth per Lois Ann) in 1969 in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho. She wrote of her family history in her personal journal in 1981 in Idaho. Nettie Mae lived on same side of road and just south of the Post Office about 1986 in Sweet, Gem County, Idaho. She died on 11 Nov 1988 at the age of 92 at nursing home in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho. She lived 92 years, 11 Months, 14 days. She lived several of her final years with her daughter in Caldwell until failing health required her to live in an assisted living facility.

She was buried on 16 Nov 1988 at Sweet Community Cemetery in Woods family plots in Sweet, Gem County, Idaho.3 Photos of grave were documented June 2009. Nettie Mae is buried in the Woods section of the Sweet Cemetery. Her Obituary stated she had 24 grandchildren, 62 great−grandchildren, 5 great−great−grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She lived on a ranch at Liberty above Sweet, until she and Woods moved back to Sweet, Idaho in 1961.

Henryette Maybelle "Nettie Mae" Thompson and Melvin Walter "Jack" Jackson were married on 16 Jun 1917 in Emmett, Gem County, Idaho.
Melvin Walter Jackson and Henryette Maybelle "Nettie" Thompson had 4 children.
Idaho Marriages, 1842−1996. Name: Melvin W. Jackson
Spouse: Nettie May Thompson
Marriage Date: Jun 15, 1917
Marriage Location: Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho
Source: This record can be found in the marriage book at the County Courthouse located in Gem Co., ID in Volume 1 on Page 93.

Source Information: Upper Snake River Family History Center and Ricks College (Rexburg, Idaho). Idaho Marriages, 1842−1996 [database on−line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

Melvin Walter "Jack" Jackson, son of John Benjamin Jackson and Mary Levana Umphenour, was born on 16 Aug 1894 in Lebanon, Smith County, Kansas. He died on 7 Jun 1971 at the age of 76 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.

Melvin Walter Jackson and Henryette Maybelle Thompson had the following children:

9 i. Mancil Jackson was born on 28 Dec 1917 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. He died on 3 May 1986 at the age of 68 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.

+10 ii. Dick Jackson , born 21 Mar 1920, Ola, Gem County, Idaho; married Marvel Loretta Naumann, 6 May 1942, Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho; died 11 Apr 1961, Walla Walla, Washington.

11 iii. Cecil O. Jackson was born on 24 Mar 1922 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. He died on 7 Apr 2002 at the age of 80. Cecil moved to Kansas at 7 and moved back to Boise at 16 where he remained the balance of his life.
He was married to Delores Wright (3 children) and Esther L. Ourada (1 child).
At time of his death he had 19 grandchildren and 28 great−grandchildren.

12 iv. Ada Mae Jackson was born on 27 Jan 1927. Ada Mae was hearing impaired but never allowed this to be an obstacle.
She died on 19 Nov 1998 at the age of 71 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was buried on 21 Nov 1998 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser, Washington County, Idaho. At the time of her death she had 14 grandchildren and 5 great−grandchildren per her obituary.

Henryette Maybelle "Nettie Mae" Thompson and William "Bill" Woods were married on 29 Dec 1931 in Emmett, Gem County, Idaho. William "Bill" Woods was born on 15 Aug 1888 in Blackjack, Douglas County, Kansas. He relocated between 1900 and 1910 in Idaho. He died on 19 May 1971 at the age of 82. Bill was buried on 23 May 1971 in Sweet, Gem County, Idaho.

7. Charles Harvey Thompson (Charles William−1) was born on 5 Aug 1900 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho.1 He appears in a photo of students and staff about 1906–7 at Jack Knife School in Jack Knife Community (Ola Valley), Gem County, Idaho. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Upper Squaw Precinct (Ola Valley), Idaho. Charles appeared in the census in 1920 at (home of his parents) in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. He lived on parents homestead in a separate house near his parents about 1925–1930 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. He lived about 1930 in Roswell, Canyon County, Idaho. Charles died on 5 Jan 1969 at the age of 68 in Idaho.
He lived 68 Years, 5 Months.

He was buried on 8 Jan 1969 in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho. Photos of gravesite confirmed (June 20, 2010) at Parma Community Cemetery in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho.

Charles Harvey Thompson and Clara Ruth Knapp were married on 10 Jul 1924 in Boise, Idaho. Clara Ruth Knapp, daughter of Phillip Elmer Knapp and Mary Elizabeth Cutler, was born on 28 Feb 1899 in Baird, NE near Gering, Nebraska. One record records her birth as Highland, Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, USA. Clara Ruth Thompons stated on Certificate of Birth for her daughter Luella Alice Thompson that she, Clara Ruth, was born in Bayard (Marrill County) Nebraska (East of Scottsbuff). . She was the only living sister of her 6 living brothers who loved her dearly after 1927 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho. She lived on a sheet ranch owned by her brother Dick Knapp on the Griffith property (off Perkins Road) before 1930 in Ola, Gem County, Idaho. Clara was cook for brother Glenn Knapp's sheep ranch in 1950–1960 in Canyon County, Idaho. She died on 24 Aug 1963 at the age of 64 at Community Hospital in Nyssa, Oregon.4 Clara Ruth Knapp died of a complications related to heart failure per her Certificate of Death.

She was buried on 27 Aug 1963 in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho. Clara photo of gravesite confirmed in Jun 2009 at Parma Community Cemetery in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho.
Clara Ruth was born near Scotts Bluff, Nebraska.

As a child she followed her family as they moved from Nebraska to Colorado, Phoenix, San Diego, Sacramento, Caldwell & Parma, Idaho.

She was approximately 12−14 when she lived in Phoenix and San Diego vicinity.

She was 16 when a photo was taken of her and her brother Glen on the 4th of July in Boise, Idaho.

She loved flowers and always had a flower garden. She taught her grand daughter Patty how to bake.

Charles Harvey Thompson and Clara Ruth Knapp had the following children:

+13 i. Kenneth Charles Thompson , born 3 Jul 1924, Idaho; married Leona Willis, abt 1944; married Patsy Jean Clough, abt 1951, Pengree, Bingham County, Idaho; married Afton T., aft 1961; died 9 Oct 1996, Merced, California.

+14 ii. Luella Alice Thompson , born 8 Mar 1926, Boise, Ada County, Idaho; married Estel LeRoy Corder, 11 Sep 1943, Parma, Canyon County, Idaho; died 24 Jan 2011, Meridian, Ada County, Idaho.

+15 iii. LIVING Thompson , born 10 Sep 1928; married James M. Thorp, 25 Jan 1948.

+16 iv. LIVING Thompson , born 16 Sep 1934; married Patricia Ann Roark, Jun 1956.

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Prepared and contributed 2011 Dec 12 by Wes Bell of Gresham, Oregon

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