Prominent among the citizens of Pulaski County is Morgan Thompson. His work in and for Hawkinsville and the county is visible in records of business and civic enterprises to which his time and talents have been devoted. Competent, energetic, reliable and loyal, he has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Mr. Thompson was born May 27. 1869, in Laurens _County. At an early age he moved to Cochran, then part of Pulaski County.
In 1889 he married Essa Beauford Woodard. Their children are: Sallie Frank, M. Ramsey, Kemper (who married George S. Roach, president of Emory College at Oxford), Charlie F.. Pauline (who married C. H. Peacock of Eastman), Joe Fisher, Mary (who married S. A. Way, Jr.), and John Rogers. All of the family, except Mrs. Roach and Mrs. Peacock, live in Hawkinsville. Will Mobley, the eldest died in 1933.
In 190 Mr. Thompson and family moved to Hawkinsville, where he entered the cotton warehouse business. That year he organized the First National Bank, serving as cashier until 1911.
From 1907 to 1909 he was a member of the City Council, during which time the City Auditorium was built.
In 1907 he built the Hotel Kemper, now known as the Brown House. He purchased the Hawkinsville Oil Mill in 1910, serving as president and general manager until it was sold in 1914. In 1912 he was elected mayor of the city, serving one term. From 1916 to 1922 he was a member of the Board of Education. In 1919 he was elected sole commissioner of roads and revenues of the county, serving two terms. During his administration the new river bridge was constructed, together with eight other concrete bridges, the total cost of which amounted to a half-million dollars.
In 1934 he was appointed postmaster, now filling that office.
