John Thompson Farm

John Thompson purchased this farm on the SW quarter of section 14 of Belford township in South Dakota from his father Oskar. John and Margaret moved back to the farm with their three sons in 1938. Son Thomas was born here in 1941. The farm remains in the Thompson family. Son Oscar and his wife Doris bought it and moved there as a young married couple. This family farm has been owned by Oskar Thompson and his descendants since the orginal land grant in 1881. It has been home to Thompson families since 1882. This glaciated prairie land was rich in black topsoil. Because it was located near the margin between farmland and ranch land and because of the extremes in winter and summer temperatures, farming was sometimes challenging. John raised wheat and small grain, hogs, and cattle.

John preferred spotted Poland China hogs. They were good feeders, matured early, were very prolific and produced these characteristics in their offspring.

John's beef cattle were Polled Herefords. The bull was named Myron Astor. These cattle with a typically large, muscular, red frame, with a white face, crest, dewlap and underline were one of the primary cattle breeds in the world’s beef market. The Polled Hereford are highly resilient cattle, able to withstand harsh weather conditions and insufficient grazing. Considered to be one of the gentlest natured cattle breeds, owners of these cattle will be quick to point out the ease with which these cattle are handled. Their docile temperament continues to be unrivaled by other breeds.

Milk cattle were also raised on the farm. The cream was sold and the skim milk was enjoyed by the family. The Thompson boys were responsible for the cows which required care and milking in the morning and evening. Working the cows early in the morning, Darrell developed an aversion to oatmeal because he associates it with the smell of silage. The boys had to manage their after school activities so that the cows received the care they needed.

David and Oscar with Babe

Prairie winds roar harshly across the open plain. Farmers plant trees in shelter belts along their property lines to subdue the wind and protect their homes and crops. In 1938, John planted Norway pines. In 2008, they were 70-80 feet tall. Darrell helped plant Russian olive
and caragana when he about 12 years old. They plowed a furrow in the sod, put the plants in the soil, and covered the roots of the trees.

The boys with Blackie ~1945

Working the land requires hard labor and is consuming, but a farm also provides fertile soil for making rich memories. The Thompson boys share many fond memories. Two farm dogs, Ginger and Lassie, provided great companionship. Blackie or Black Beauty was a much loved Shetland pony.

Oscar riding Blackie ~1947


Thomas with his cats ~1949


Oscar, David, and Thomas enjoy
a favorite summer treat -
homemade ice cream.

Oskar Thompson Farm ~ 1915

Asbjorn Torkelson Hammersmark was born on the Hammersmark farm in Sirdal, Vest Agder, Norway, on October 6, 1848. He married Else Kristine Jonasdatter Indre Sanstøl who was born in Bjerkreim on October 21, 1859. They were married in their native Norway on June 18,1879. Realizing that in order to own their own farm they must leave their beloved Norway, they immigrated with Elsie’s sister Lettie to the “land of opportunity”late spring 1880. In order to assimilate as quickly as possible, Asbjorn assumed his American name, Oskar Thompson. It was a derivative of Tomson. (Tom was the English form of Torkel.) Oskar, Else, and Lettie made their way west to the prairies of Illinois where he found work for the first winter. By spring they found it necessary to move west to Strand in Adams County, Iowa, to get work. The family settled there temporarily to make enough money to help them head further west to the newly opening Dakota Territory. At the age of 21 Elsie bore their first son, Thomas, on July 3, 1880. During the pregnancy she had endured the sea voyage, traveled to Illinois, and then to Iowa. Lettie married Andrew Thompson in Strand. In the fall of 1881 Oskar and Andrew traveled by team and wagon to settle and stake claims in Aurora County, Dakota Territory. The two brothers-in-law used their overturned wagon for shelter while they secured materials and built suitable housing for their families. They returned to Iowa for them in the winter of 1881 and moved them west the following spring. Anna, called Annie by her family, was born the following fall. Oskar and Elsie had five more children on their farm in the NW 1/4 of Section 14 of Belford Township: Lottie, born in 1883, died in infancy; John on July 10, 1887; Lewis on April 7, 1890; Peter on June 10, 1892; Lisa on January 26, 1895; and Ella on November 18, 1897. The family moved to the adjoining quarter (SW 1/4 of section 14) where Alida (Letha) was born on June 3, 1901.

Oskar Thompson Farm ~ 1920

This glaciated prairie land was rich in black topsoil. Because it was located near the margin between farmland and ranch land and because of the extremes in winter and summer temperatures, farming was sometimes challenging. Oskar raised grain and cattle. He also built and ran a community granary on his farm.

Threshing ~1920


Threshing ~1930

Threshing into Barn ~1930