Jasper N. Thompson

D. J. Morris has handed to the Gazette a California paper called the Hollister Free Lance. It contains a sketch of an old Lebanon boy, Jasper N. Thompson son, who is well remembered here, who has made his way to a high position in the golden state. Mr. Morris well remembers when young Thompson was struggling to get an education in Lebanon. He was poor. He needed the help of friends. He received some financial favors from Mr. Morris, who was told that he was throwing his money away. But he was not. It was fully repaid in hard dollars, and he now is again repaid in seeing in the industrious Ohio boy the successful California man. The Free Lance says: "Although one of the youngest counties ties In the state, San Benito can boast of a number of veterans in the cause of education. Prominent among them is J. N. Thompson, who on the 5th inst. entered upon his fourth consecutive term of office as superintendent of schools. Mr. Thompson was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, in 1844, and finished his education in the national normal school in Lebanon, of which the well known Prof. Holbrook was principal. After teaching in his native state several years, Mr. Thompson, in 1869 set out for California and settled In Hollister shortly after his arrival. In August of that year he opened the first public school ever taught here, in the old Hollister residence, which still stands just north of the court house. In 1879 Mr. Thompson was elected superintendent of schools, entering upon his official duties In 1880, and has occupied the position ever since. Last November he was elected for another term of four years. He has witnessed and taken a prominent part in the development of educational interests of this county. In 1880 there were twenty-six school districts, now there are forty-three; thirty-one teachers were employed in 1880, now there are fifty-two; in 1880 the total expense of running the schools was $19,090.73; for the year last past, including two special taxes for building purposes, $37,291.11. These figures give some idea of the progress educational interests have made under the supervision of Mr. Thompson. His office is a model of neatness and regularity, while the courteous reception a visitor always meets, combined with efficiency and professional zeal, render him deservedly popular with all with whom he comes in contact."

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