Thompson beginnings

Riley Thompson is my 3x great grandfather. He was born July 3, 1828 in Onondaga County, New York.  I have no further information on him in New York. The first record I have of him in Michigan is the 1850 census. He is listed as living with James and Anna Allen. Also living with him is his brother Leonard Thompson, who is around 32 years of age. No relationship is given to James and Anna Allen. I don't know if Anna is their mother and James is a stepfather? Or, if James and Anna are simply a couple who employ Riley and Leonard. James and Anna are both listed as 59 years of age so definitely old enough to be parents. They could also be other relatives too. An aunt and uncle? Cousins? Who knows? Riley is listed as a laborer with $300 worth of real estate. On a side note, he lives 2 houses down from my 4x great grandfather, Oliver Bellingar and his son, David, my 3x great grandfather on my maternal side. :)

Sometime between 1850 and 1855 Riley marries Hannah Kent, also of Allegan. Their first son, Henry, is born in August of 1855. Their second son, Andrew, is born January 25, 1859. Andrew is my 2x great grandfather. 

On the 1860 census Riley is now listed as a farmer with real estate worth $2000, and personal worth of $100. He's involved in civic affairs as I find him listed variously as chief constable, or deputy constable in Allegan village during the 1860's. He registered for the Civil War draft, but I don't find any record of him serving. 

In 1866 his brother Leonard dies. I've found very little on Leonard. I know he married, but I can't find any record of him having children. Leonard seems to be a mystery.

The 1870 census finds Riley even more prosperous. He's now listed as a real estate agent with a real estate worth of $3000 and a personal worth of $3000. In 1873 his wife Hannah passes away.

in 1876 I found a newspaper article that mentions him and another man being jailed for a couple of hours because they decided to cheer for Samuel Tilden, who was running for President, at a parade that was meant to garner support for Rutherford B. Hayes. 

The 1880 census finds Riley as a laborer, living with this 2 sons. His father and mother are both listed as being born in Vermont, and he says he was born in NY. Being born in NY is always consistent with him.

The 1900 census is interesting. Riley is now married to a woman named Mary. They were married in 1884. Occupation is Day Laborer. He lists his mother and father as being born in NY now.  He can read and write, lives in a House, and owns it. He lives in Allegan.

His second wife Mary dies in 1906. Riley dies in 1908. I found an obituary for him. It states that he was once a wealthy and prosperous man, but the evils of drink got to him and ruined him. He lived with his son Andrew and his family at the time of his death. Cause of death was listed as Uremia, which happens when the kidneys can't filter anymore. He was 80 years old. On his death certificate, which was filled out by Andrew, it lists him as the father of 4 children, of whom 2 were still alive. His father's name is listed as Allen Thompson and mother's name was first listed as unknown, but then written as Mary.