BIOGRAPHY: Ner THOMPSON, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 654-655

  NER THOMPSON, Milroy, Mifflin county, Pa., son of Robert M. and Sarah 
(McManigal) Thompson, was born on the old homestead, near Milroy, February 11, 
1837.  He received his primary education at Laurel Run school house, attending 
the winter terms there until his fifteenth year.  He then entered the academy at 
Tuscarora, Juniata county, under Professor David Wilson, where he remained for 
two terms, completing his education in the academy at Potters Mills.  He began 
mercantile business at Milroy, associating himself with A. W. Graff under the 
firm name of Graff & Thompson.  Their business venture was the beginning of a 
successful career for both gentlemen.  Prospering beyond their expectations, 
they extended their interests into other lines of business, and became 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of leather and lumber;  the latter 
article they obtained from timber lands owned by Messrs. Thompson and Graff.  
The successful management of these varied pursuits required no small amount of 
business tact and ability, but with such energy and careful direction was the 
work carried on, that in 1873, Mr. Graff felt justified in embarking in business 
independently, and the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent.  Mr. 
Thompson then bought the large store which he now conducts alone.
  Mr. Thompson was married June 5, 1878, to Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham T. 
and Mary (Elwell) Highlands.  They have one child, Edward H., born March 8, 
1879.  The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Thompson were Abraham and Sarah Elwell, 
who had a family of two children.  The paternal grandparents were Thomas and 
Jane (Tallman) Highlands, of Scotch-Irish descent.  They had six children:  
John,  Abraham T.;  Mary;  Elizabeth;  Thomas;  and Rebecca.  John and Thomas 
are the only surviving sons.  Abraham T. Highlands and wife, parents of Mrs. 
Thompson, had a family of five children:  Elizabeth;  Mary, who died aged seven;  
Thomas R., died aged ten years;  Annie E. (Mrs. Isaac Strode), of Culver, Ottawa 
county, Kan.;  William A., married Nellie Palmer, of Steilacoom, Washington.  
Mr. Highlands was born in Lycoming county, Pa., and died at Culver, Kan., April 
10, 1887.  He learned the trade of tanner with Thomas Scattergood, of 
Philadelphia.  Some years later he came to Milroy, where he was for a time a 
member of the firm of Graff, Thompson & Company, and later of Highlands & Graff.  
In the autumn of 1878, he went to Culver, Kan., where the rest of his life was 
spent.  Mr. Highlands served through the entire war, enlisting August 1, 1861, 
as second lieutenant of Company H, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
receiving promotion to the rank of first lieutenant, afterwards to that of 
adjutant.  On the 11th of January, 1863, he was transferred to Company A, where 
he served up to the time of his second promotion.  Mr. Thompson is a Republican, 
but has never aspired to political office.  He and his family are members of the 
Free church at Milroy.