Thompson

(Number 67 on the 1958 Highland map - 4600 W. 11000 N.)

Andrew & Annie Amelia West Thompson

Andrew was the great-grandfather of our former mayor, Mark Thompson. He was also an early homesteader, but his homestead was not located within the territory defined as Highland in this history. His homestead was dated May 12, 1899, and included the north half and southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31 and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 4 South, Range 2 East, SLBM. This is ½ mile east of George Cunningham's homestead, approaching the mouth of American Fork canyon (Number 67 on the 1958 Highland map).

He built a frame home with a shingle roof and board floor and occupied it in May, 1892.

Andrew was born July 21, 1867, to Andrew C. and Madsine Madsen Thompson in Pleasant Grove, Utah. His parents were born in Denmark and were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and migrated to Utah, making Pleasant Grove their permanent home.

When Andrew was 18 months old his mother died, leaving him much to the mercies of the world. He married Annie Amelia West, daughter of Charles Henry and Fredericka West of Pleasant Grove, on January 12, 1888. They had three children: Alvira (who died September 19, 1912), Russell and Dorothy. They lived on their homestead for a few years then moved back to Pleasant Grove. His name was listed on church records in 1893.

Andrew was never active in the Church but true religion to him was to visit the widowed and fatherless and many times their hearts have been made glad by provisions left by him. He suffered much from accidents and ill health-at one time being confined to his home for five years with a broken hip-but was faithfully attended by his wife. The last two weeks of his life he suffered intensely, finally being released from his burdens on November 23, 1934.

(Number 57 on the 1958 Highland map - 10835 N. Alpine Hwy)

Reed Shelley & Ruth West Thompson

Reed was born August 26, 1914, in American Fork, Utah to Russell and Vera Shelley Thompson and spent most of his younger years working for his father on the farm.

Ruth was born November 24, 1912, in Pleasant Grove, Utah to Loren Milton and Pearl Hilda Badmill West. She had three sisters and two brothers. Her ancestors were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her great-grandfather, Samuel White, was a member of the Mormon Battalion.

They were married December 14, 1934, in the Salt Lake Temple and lived in American Fork where their first five children were born: Pearl, James, Gary (died at three days), Alan, and Lana.

(Number 23 on the 1958 Highland map - 10835 N. 6260 W.)

In 1938 Reed and his brother, Glade bought an eighty acre farm in Highland from the Willard Shipley Estate, and farmed it together until Glade's death in 1957 then Reed bought his share. In 1946 Reed and Ruth moved to the farm after some remodeling of the home (Number 23 on the 1958 Highland map) and digging a well for drinking water. In Highland they had two more boys: Blaine and Mark. Reed also rented other acreage and raised hay, grain, potatoes, peas and corn. One year he raised 3,000 lambs for market and also raised 700 feeder cattle.

Ruth worked in the Primary and Sunday School before she was married and after marriage in the American Fork Third Ward. She also worked in the Primary in Highland for many years, beginning in 1949 and Reed was Scout Master and YMMIA president.

Ruth West Thompson

In 1957 Highland created a water company to bring culinary water to the residents and Reed was elected chairman of the board. He worked with Yukus Inouye, LaMar Healey, LeGrand Adamson, O.C. Day, Ludvig Larson and Don Guymon to successfully complete that great undertaking. The water was in every home by December, 1959, and Reed continued to work with the city water in some capacity for many years after that.

Jim Thompson, missionary

Their son, Jim, was called on a mission to the Southern States in May, 1959, and Ruth passed away October 7, 1960, while he was gone. She had encouraged him to go even as her health was failing. She was buried in the American Fork City Cemetery.

Reed worked for Geneva Steel during construction then left for the farm. He was water master for 25 years, president of the Lehi Water Company for many years, on the Provo Reservoir Board and A S C S Soil Conservation Commission. He also drove school bus for Alpine School District for 25 years and was an active volunteer fireman for American Fork City for 45 years.

He married Genevieve Lewis Matthews October 19, 1962, in the Manti Temple. Her husband, Cornelius Baxter Matthews (q.v.) had passed away so she was also alone. She was born February 17, 1911, to Horace Edward and Maria Elizabeth Christensen Lewis. Genevieve served as president of the YWMIA for four years and president of the Primary for eight years and was cook at Mutual Dell for fifteen years.

Reed and Genevieve Thompson

Reed died February 14, 1991 in Provo and is buried in the American Fork Cemetery. Genevieve died July 25, 1994.

As of this writing, 2018, Alan and Jim have passed away and Mark served as mayor of Highland from 2014 - 2017.

Source: HIGHLAND HISTORY: A compilation by Charles T Greenland II for the Highland Historical Society

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Andrew & Annie Amelia West Thompson

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