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WILLIAM WALLACE THOMPSON.
The history of Napa county is not a very old one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted
in the wilderness within the last century and which has reached its present magnitude without other aid than that
of unremitting industry. The earliest pioneers, having blazed the path of civilization to this part of the state,
finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the possession of their descendants and
to others who came at a later day and built upon the substantial foundation which they laid. Conspicuous among
the veterans of a period long past is the venerable and highly respected citizen, William Wallace Thompson, who
is now living in honorable retirement in Napa.
Mr. Thompson was born in Newark, New York, on the 19th of April, 1839, and when he was two years old the family
moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he was reared and educated, attending the public schools. He remained at
home until 1859, when, at the age of twenty years, he crossed the plains, in a covered wagon, to Portland, Oregon,
where he obtained employment at clerical work. From there he went to Lewiston, Idaho, where he remained until 1869,
when. he came to Napa. Here he formed a partnership with Peter Van Bever, under the firm name of Van Bever &
Thompson, and they engaged in the general mercantile business. Some time later Mr. Thompson became a partner in
the same line of business with E. D. Beard, under the firm name of Thompson & Beard. This company became widely
known and was recognized as one of the most substantial and prosperous concerns in the Napa valley. A number of
years ago, because of advancing age, Mr. Thompson retired from active business affairs, and he has since been living
quietly in his comfortable and attractive home in Napa. In his earlier years here Mr. Thompson took an active part
in local public and business affairs and was an important factor in the growth and upbuilding of the city at that
period. He was one of the founders and a director of the Bank of Napa, which was founded in 1871, and is the only
survivor of the original stockholders of that institution. For many years he was a member of the old volunteer
fire department and in numerous other ways was identified with the activities of the community. He also long owned
a fine vineyard east of Yountville. For a number of years he has been a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian
church.
On November 1, 1871, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Hattie J. Estabrook, who was born in Concord, New Hampshire,
a daughter of Major W. W. and Mary Ann (Damon) Estabrook. Major Estabrook came to California, by way of the Isthmus
of Panama, in 1850, and located in San Francisco, where he became the proprietor of the American Exchange Hotel,
located on Sansom street. Later he returned east, bringing his family to California in 1855. In 1857 he came to
Napa and in association with Edward Harvey ran the old Revere Hotel, on Second street, on the corner which is now
occupied by the Winship & Beard store. In 1860 he removed to San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born
two daughters: Mrs. Henry Roeding, of San Francisco; and Mrs. Homer Parker, of Napa, who is the mother of two sons,
Thompson and Suszan. Mrs. Thompson is now the only living charter member of the Presbyterian church of Napa and
despite her years is still active in church work. During his active years Mr. Thompson was a man of indomitable
energy, enterprising and progressive in his methods, and he devoted himself indefatigably to the enterprise with
which he was for so many years identified, having been a dominant factor in the business life of Napa.
From:
History of Solano County, California
BY: Marguerite Hune
and
Napa County, California
BY: Harry Lawrence Gunn
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chicago 1926
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