We thank Robert G. Lancaster, Editor and Publisher of The
Cottonwood Current newspaper for permission to use the following
story and picture. Mr. Edwin Bjornebo of Cottonwood, Minnesota
56229 was kind enough to send us this item. He felt sure our
readers would enjoy it as Knute Thompson is a well known Iron-Man
in the upper Midwest.
K.A. Thompson, well known pioneer road builder, well driller and
, operator of steam threshing rigs, was chosen to be Lions Club
Senior citizen of the month.
Knute was born on May 14, 1889 only a half mile from where he
now lives. He and his wife, Bettie, live in a comfortable home in
the Thompsonville settlement, only three miles from where she was
born. The day I stopped out to visit them Knute was out in his
workshop where he spends many hours working on his various
projects. Bettie said he had received a new watch for Christmas and
she was hopeful that he would get in for meals on time to no avail.
He enjoys keeping busy and all of his life he has lent a helping
hand to many, no matter what their problem.
He was called on at the age of fourteen to take over the
controls of a neighbor’s ‘Minnesota Giant’, a name well
known to many old timers. It was from that time on he was steam
engine enthusiast and still is to this day. Knute’s father was
always the unfortunate one when buying tractors. They were always
in need of repair and it was here he learned much in repairing
them. Much of his time has been spent with his threshing machines
and once had three rigs going at one time around the
neighborhood.
Not wanting to see the old threshing machines fade away he began
his threshing show which drew spectators from miles around. These
along with many of his antique engines and other machines are
really something to see.
He spent twenty years as a well driller and was responsible for
many of the wells in the area. Starting out with a road grader he
eventually expanded to road building and for many years constructed
roads around the area.
Mr. Thompson has always been a great inspiration to many with
his honesty and his willingness to always help others with their
problems no matter what they were.
‘Knute, I know we join many in grateful appreciation for
your many kind deeds and helpfulness through the years. Mange
Tak.’
