THOMPSON, Roxie Ann [NEE Nichol] d/o Sarah Melissa Tucker & Thomas John NichoI
OBITUARY – Roxie Ann Nichol THOMPSON
Friday afternoon, Oct 13, 1933, one of the few remaining pioneers of Northern Michigan was very appropriately buried near the foot of a beautiful pine tree in Springport Cemetery.
Mrs. Roxie Thompson, wife of the late Ambrose Thompson, was at rest beside the body of her beloved husband.
Mrs. Thompson’s optimistic disposition belied her physical infirmities for many years but after the death of her husband two years ago, a series of complications set in which brought a peaceful end to her sufferings, Wednesday morning, October 11, 1913.
She was educated in the Sanilac County schools and obtained a certificate to teach.However, love changed her plans and she married Ambrose Thompson in May 1879.Shortly after their marriage, they migrated to northern Michigan and for a few years made their home at Ausable, which in those days was a thriving lake port and lumber town.
In a few years, they definitely decided to carve a home in the white pine forest.They traded a cow given to them by her father for eighty acres of land in the Pine River District of Mikado Township and there established their home in an abandoned logging camp.There among their romping bright-eyed children, they cleared land, erected good buildings, and year after year carved out of the forest one of Alcona’s thriving farms.
For many years, Mrs. Thompson was the only white woman in the district.She was a royal friend to the Indians of the section who expressed their gratitude with gifts of buckskin and baskets.As new settlers came to the district, she always found time to extend a welcome hand and to aid them to get settled in their new homes.
For many years, the closest medical service was at Ausable, which because of the roads of the day, and the means of transportation, was not obtainable.During that period, she studied medical literature of the day and supplied her practical knowledge and good judgment to the relief of suffering throughout the community, traveling miles through the forest to some settler home to nurse the sick.Thrilling experiences with wild animals, crossing rivers on log jams, long before bridges were erected, to walk miles through the forest to purchase provisions or staying for weeks alone with a child while her husband worked throughout the winter in a logging camp were but common experiences.
Always a tireless worker for her church, she was instrumental in obtaining regular church services for her community.Her example and influence in the lives of those she came in contact with will be one of the cherished memories of the many friends who mourn her passing.
Eight years ago, she and her husband moved to the village of Mikado.
When failing health narrowed her circle of activities to her work in the church and to her old friends who dropped in to visit her in her declining hears.
A keen sense of personal loss is felt by the whole community but the inspiration of the life’s service to others will live on in the hearts of those who knew her throughout her lifetime.
Six sons and three daughters came to Mrs. Thompson.One son and three daughters predeceased her in death.Five boys – Fred, Milo, Percy, Floyd and Vern survive together with fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild, one sister and three brothers.
Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church in Mikado with the Rev. Hall, her pastor, and the Rev. William Bailey of Tekonsha, Michigan, her former pastor, officiating.
Mrs. Ambrose Thompson, one of the oldest and most esteemed residents of Mikoda, died yesterday morning, October 11, 1933 at her home in Mikado.
The PTA and sewing meetings were postponed on account of the illness and death of Mrs. Thompson, a pioneer.As a friend and neighbor, she will be widely missed.
Out of town guest for her funeral were:Dr. & Mrs. Harry Butler of Detroit, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nichol, Mr. & Mrs. John Nichol, and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas T. Nichol, all of McGregor, Michigan.Dalton Paxton & wife of Lincoln; Mr. & Mrs. Vern Thompson of South Lyons; Mr. & Mrs. Milo Thompson and children; Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Thompson and Percy Thompson, all of Spruce, Michigan.