M.S. THOMPSON - On Monday morning at a few minutes after midnight, occurred the death of Mr. M. S. Thompson at his residence on the corner of East and Fifth Streets at the age of 72 years. Some four years ago he suffered a severe attack of stomach trouble from which he so far recovered as to be able to attend to his store business and also, his duties as a railroad official. But his health gradually declined until ten weeks ago he was taken suddenly with a stroke, from which he did not rally. Funeral held from the residence at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Bearers: John M. Clark, Wm. A. Shear, M. S. Harvey, Milton J. Potter, E. J. Stocking and Dr. R. B. Knight. Melville Sirrilus Thompson was born at Norwich, Chenango County, NY, March 11, 1839, where he spent the first 20 years of his life in the acquirement of an education at home and in the common schools of the village. In 1859 he came to Coudersport and worked for his brother, Z. J. Thompson as a wheelwright for three years. Then he entered the employ of P. A. Stebbins and Son in the Mercantile Business until the fall of 1866, when he became associated with the late Dr. Ellison in the Drug business, at which time possessed a cash capital of $100. The firm name was Ellison and Thompson until 1868 when the late John S. Mann acquired Dr. Ellison's interest and the name was changed to Thompson and Mann and again in 1879 to Thompson and Co., which name has became famous all over this section and still exists. Mr. Thompson was appointed Postmaster in 1869 by President Ulysses S. Grant. He held the office continuously for 18 years. On Sept. 30, 1868 he married Miss Cora E. Mann, daughter of the late John S. and Mary W. Mann of this Boro. She died Nov. 8, 1899 and to her memory has been erected the beautiful marble drinking fountain on the corner of Main and Third Streets. To them no children were born, but they adopted two girls, daughters of his sister, Mrs. Freeman, who died in Kansas leaving a family of small children. They both survive and are married. Marcia, the elder, being the wife of W. A. Stevens and Marion, the wife of Louis Stocum of Coudersport. Obituary files copied from a book at the Potter County, PA Historical Society with their permission.