Edward Fleming Thompson (Thomson) 1870-1931
Edward Fleming Thompson (Thomson)* was born 15 April 1870, at Plains, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father was Edward Thomson and his mother was Jessie Fleming. When Edward was nine months old, his mother died and he was raised in the family of his Grandfather William Fleming. His grandmother, Janet McIndoe Fleming, died 5 December 1872, so Grandfather Fleming had the care of a large family. Eight children were born between the years of 1845 and 1862 to William and Janet Fleming and then a grandchild, Edward, born in 1870. Edward had a great love and respect for this family all his life. Edward's father, when still a young man, left his infant son with the Fleming family and immigrated to Australia. Grandfather Fleming cared for Edward through his childhood to maturity, teaching him the trade of a stone mason. Many years passed away before Edward saw his father again.
Edward's Fleming uncles and his Aunt Kate (Catherine Fleming) all immigrated to America and settled in Idaho. They seemed to prosper in this wonderful land. They sent glowing letters telling of the prospects of success in the "West" and Edward decided to cast his lot with them. (Edward was about 19 years old when he emigrated from Scotland.) The deepest emotions of his soul were awakened in saying "goodbye" to the dear old Grandfather who had taken care of him since he was an infant. Edward had a rugged time after coming to America. He suffered with rheumatism which was made worse by the cold and exposure. He rode coal cars and freight cars making his way from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He went to Oregon and then to Idaho.
The Fleming brothers and Kate settled in the Snake River country in Idaho (Pocatello area). They engaged in sheep raising. It was here that Edward became acquainted with life in the West, spending his time caring for the flocks. His uncles had a comfortable wagon. He had a good deal of time to study his dictionary and other books. In his studies he came in contact with some of the writings of Darwin and the theories of evolution. They had a great influence on his thinking and caused him to question some of the fundamental principles of the Christian religion.
At this time, a great tragedy came to the family. A bitter range war was at its height between the cattlemen and the sheepmen. Edward's uncles had been warned to get out of the country and take their sheep off the range. They decided to ignore the threats of their enemies. Edward's Uncle Hugh (who was not much older than Edward) was left to bring in the sheep. The family waited for Hughie to appear but he never came. They investigated and found the sheep scattered and the form of Hughie stretched on the ground with a bullet in his back. Edward traced the tracks of two men who had left their horses down a ravine. They had put gunny sacks on their feet and had crept up to where Hughie was and had shot him. They made their escape to their ranch. Evidence of their guilt was produced in court, but they were never convicted.
Soon after this incident, the Fleming brothers sold their sheep and decided on a move that was to greatly influence the future life and destiny of Edward. It seemed that a kind destiny led them to the little town of Bluff in San Juan County, Utah, to buy sheep. It was here that Edward first met Annie Jane Allan. He was introduced to her as "her future husband." The fact that both of Annie's parents were born in Scotland, the land of Edward's birth, no doubt contributed to a kindred friendship.
Edward and Annie courted for five years. Edward was finally converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 6 December 1900, He freely acknowledged that in the gospel as revealed through Joseph Smith, he had found the wondrous love which had been drawing him from the time he left his home in Scotland. As he looked back over the hard path he had followed, he considered the perils he had endured and the fortunate ending to which he had come--the plan of eternal life. He said, "It was like a lost star finding its proper orbit."
One month after his baptism, Edward and Annie were married on 11 January 1901 in Bluff. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple a few months later on 10 April 1901. Their first child, Clyde Fleming Thompson, was born 8 November 1901. Less than one year later, 2 September 1902, Edward was called to serve a mission to England and Scotland. He left Annie to support him and to care for their new baby. A baby girl, Nellie Helen, was born a short time after he left on his mission, 11 April 1903. Edward and Annie kept in touch with letters and Annie sent pictures of the children. Edward expressed often his joy in teaching the gospel. He wrote, "When I look at the benighted nations and their downward course, it gives me cause to rejoice that the Lord has picked me, a wondering waif, and given me the coronet of a king. Surely the way of God is not the way of man." Edward loved the gospel. He lived it and taught it with every breath. He declared, "I love the joyful sound of the Gospel,."
After Edward finished his mission, he and Annie were called by the leaders of the Church to help settle Grayson (now Blanding), Utah. Wallace was born in Bluff on 28 November 1905, before they settled in Grayson. Geneva and Max were born in Grayson (20 June 1908 and 28 January 1912 respectively). Dean (7 July 1914), Francis (30 November 1916), a stillborn boy (about 1918), West (2 May 1921) and Afton (16 December 1923) were all born in Blanding.
While Edward was on his mission, he met his father for the first time since they had parted when Edward was a baby. His father, Edward Thomson, had come to Great Britain for a shooting contest. Edward also became acquainted with his father's brother, Robert and George, sisters Anne and Helen, and many Thomson cousins, as well as many of his Fleming family members. Edward preached the gospel to them while laboring in Scotland.
Edward and Annie later moved to Salt Lake City. Edward died in Salt Lake City on 20 October 1931.
*The surname was Thomson in the Scottish records and Edward's father carried the same spelling when he immigrated to Australia. Edward changed the spelling to Thompson when he immigrated to America in 1889.
Most of this history was written by Annie Jane Allan Thompson. A few details were added by Sue Anne B. Thompson as it appears in "Histories of the Ancestors of Clyde Kent Thompson and Sue Anne Beckstrand Thompson, Who Converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", 1997, The Pioneer Sesquicentennial Year.
