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Note: a 33; Thos 13; Amosetta 10; Cansade 8; Sarah 1; living in Twp. 9, North Range 5, Litchfield PO, Montgomery Co., Illinois (film M653_214, p117, 23 June)
1870 Census: T. M. Howser, 47, farmer, $1200 real estate, $500 personal estate; Malinda 43; Millie 20; Sarah 11; Amanda ?; living in Equality Twp., Miller Co., Missouri (film M593_792, p235, 2 Sep)
1880 Census: Thomas Houser, 59, widowed, born Kentucky, father born Tennesse, mother born Kentucky, living in Equality, Miller Co., Missouri (film T9_0703, p182D)
Thomas was not widowed at this time. Wife, Malinda had lost her vision and may have been living elsewhere.
1900 Census: Thomas Howser, May 1821, 79, widowed; boarder in household of Edward Hill in Equality Twp., Miller Co., Missouri (film T623_875, ED79, p7, p7B, June)
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(The following written by Martha Nalefski) In the fall of 1833, when Thompson was twelve years old, his family moved to Macoupin country, Illinois, in wagons drawn by oxen, built a log cabin and settled between Scottville and Palmyra. Thompson married Malinda Ann Thompson March 10, 1844 in Macoupin Co. The groom was 22 and the bride was 17. They lived in Greene Co., probably with or close to Malinda's family.
Thompson and Malinda's first child, Mary Elizabeth, was born on November 23, 1844, and when she was 19 months old and Malinda was expecting their son Thomas Nicholas, who was born November 18, 1846, Thompson enlisted as a private in the Mexican War at Alton, IL., June 23, 1846. Along with Thompson some of Malinda's relatives and neighbors volunteered, among them: Wm. T. Atteberry, Stephen C. Attebery, Jas. T. Bandy, Elihu Bandy, Richard T. Bandy, Elihu Fisher, Walter Taylor, John J. Sears and Elihu Boan.
On the 11th day of May, 1846, Congress passed an act, declaring that "By the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." Illinois was called on for three regiments of infantry or riflemen, and the pay, with all allowances, placed at $15.50 per month to the private soldier. They were to serve twelve months. Thompson and the others mentioned served in Captain Noah Fry's Company C, 1st Illinois Volunteers regiment, commanded by Colonel John J. Hardin. This regiment was transported down the Mississippi river and across the Gulf and reached Camp Erwin, near the old town of Victoria, on Weuloop river, the first day of August. They marched to San Antonio, Texas, and joined General Wool's army. They left that city on the 26th day of September, although Thompson was reported absent and sick at San Antonio October 2. (He must have joined up with them because he fought at Buena Vista and was discharged with Co. C.) Marching steadily along, they entered Santa Rosa on the 24th day of October with no opposition. Then they marched to Monclova, then to Parras, remaining there 12 days. On the 21st of December they occupied Agua Nueva, thus completing a six weeks march of about one thousand miles. In January, 1847, General Zach. Taylor proceeded from Saltillo and formed a junction with Gen. Wool. On the 22d day of February, 1847, was begun the battle of Buena Vista, which ended on the 23d, and resulted in a complete victory for the American forces, and in which this Illinois regiment covered itself with glory. They were mustered out at Camargo, Mexico June 17, 1847.
Thompson's discharge reads: To all whom it may concern. Know ye that Thompson Howser a private of Captain Noah Fry's Company (C) 1st Regiment Illinois foot Volunteers who was Enrolled the 23 of June 1846 to Serve twelve months is herby honorably discharged from the Service of the United Sates by reason of expiration of term of Service. Said Thompson Howser was Born in the Sate of Canetucky is 25 years of age 5 feet 8 inches high ligt complection Blew eys and occupation when Enrolled a farmer.
Given at Camargo Mexico
this 17th day of June 1847
Noah Fry Capt Command Com
Wm. Weatherford Col. 1st Rigt, 11.Vols.
Col. Weatherford replaced Hardin, who was killed at Beuna Vista.
Thompson was back in Greene County and at Carrollton July 27th writing Col. Edwards commissioner of pension's requesting his land warrant and surrendering his discharge as proof of service. His address was P.O. White Hall, IL. By November 8, 1847 he had received his warrant for 160 acres. They left Greene Co. and went to Macoupin Co. in the fall of 1847. January 4, 1850 he purchased 3 parcels of land in Macoupin, Co. 1. 40 acres for $50 Sec 36 Twp 12N Range 09W. This was later sold to his father Nicholas Howser and was described as brush land, for $400. The 2nd parcel was 88.88 acres Sec 02 Twp 11N Range 09W bought with a warrant. 3rd parcel was 88.88 acres Sec 01 Twp 11N Range 09W with a warrant.
By this time Malinda and Thompson had moved to Montgomery Co. with her parents. The gold rush fever hit and in March of 1850 he left for California. He stayed at Sacramento City in the southern part for 3 months and then went to Ft. John Res. until 1851, returning to Montgomery Co. June 10, 1851. William James their third child was born 13 August 1848 and died in infancy. Malinda probably did not go to California, on April 10, 1850 a daughter Millia Amicetta Jane was born to them. Millie claimed Illinois as her birth place. Louisa Consada was born October 10, 1852, Lydia Anne Angeline was born December 12, 1854, John Henry arrived on February 16, 1857, Sarah Parilee was born August 18, 1858, Amanda Median entered this world February 24, 1862. Lydia Anne and John Henry died in infancy.
Thompson and Malinda left Montgomery Co., in September 1865, arriving in Miller Co., Mo. October 10, 1865. Charles Edward was born February 12, 1867, followed by Louis, September 25, 1868. Both died in infancy.
Thompson is said to have written at least three books: The Dykes, Ditches and Lakes of the United States of America, The Rose of The Desert and The Farmers Boy. We have only seen copies of the books' fly pages, he gave his daughter Amanda Jesse. The story goes that the books were lost in a wind storm. We know he was literate from his letters and marriage and birth entries in his Bible, published in 1871. Some of the marriage dates differ from court house records, but he entered the data years after the fact. He and his family were members of the Flatwoods Baptist church in Miller Co., Mo.
Malinda lost her vision and moved back to Illinois, probably in the 1890s, to be cared for by her daughter, Amanda (Mrs. G.W. Jesse).
In 1900 Thompson was a boarder in the home of J.E. Hill. Mr. Hill rented a 66 acre farm, probably belonging to Thompson Howser.
Thompson applied and was granted a Mexican War Survivors Pension in 1887, receiving $8 a month and by 1903 that had increased to $12 a month. He was dropped as a pensioner because of death and lists about November 10, 1903 as his death date. His P.O. was Tuscumbia, Mo.
On November 12, J.E. Hill purchased his burial clothing from Franklin & Harvey dealers in General Merchandise & Farming Implements, Eldon, Mo. Clothes $13.00, shirt $1.00, collar 10 cents, tie 25 cents, hose 10 cents. Thomas N. Howser, his administrator paid the clothing bill. He also paid Harvey & Phillips, dealers in Lumber, Hardware, Paint & etc., Miller Co., Mo. $18.00 for a casket for burial. Thompson's doctor received $13.00. Son, Thomas received $345 from his fathers heirs to pay his debts, this may be from the sale of the farm to daughter Millie Howser Atteberry.
On November 17, Andy Armstrong and Ed Hill appraised his estate as follow: Corn $57.50, organ, $5.00, wheat $9.00, rye $1.60, one kittle 75 cents, one table 50 cents, one safe or safer 50 cents, 2 and a half gal. of molases $1.70, totaling $76.60. We do not know where Thompson Howser is Buried.
One obituary was copied by Henrietta Jesse from a clipping Lula Kinnard had.:" Thompson M. Howser was born in 1820 in old Kentucky, came to Illinois with his father in an early day. Married Malinda Thompson in 1846. To this union eleven children were born. His wife and six children preceded him to that better land. Five children died in infancy. Cansada McCasland died eight years ago. Five children survive him. viz: Mrs. Smith, Mr. Thomas Howser, Mrs. Atteberry, Mrs. McComb, Mrs. Jesse, he has one brother in Illinois and a brother and sister in Missouri. Mr. Howser came to Miller County in 1865, residing on the Flatwoods until his death, November 19, 1903. He was an honest, truthful, Industrious farmer. Many remember him in the recent drouth. He opened his corn cribs, his wheat bins, his pork barrels and his purse to the needy. Beneath that coarse apparell beat a warm charitable heart. He was a Baptist in belief, uniting with the church when young. We will all miss poor old father." Another obituary said "Mr. Howser was a man of culture and took great interest in peculiar science and phenomena."
Note: 1860 Census: Thompson Howser, 39, farmer, $4000 real estate, $650? personal estate; Malind
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