The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1959, Qupperneq 30

28
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Winter 1959
a matter of dollars and cents, it must
have brought forth unreserved jubil-
ation, affording him an opportunity
to put into action what were dreams
during his university years. The Ford
Foundation is to be commended for
its wisdom in selecting a man so deep-
ly conscious of -the potentialities and
the profoundness of the service to be
performed.
John Lawrence Thompson is the
son of the late Norman and Mrs.
Thompson of Pelican Rapids in Min-
nesota. His father, who died seven
years ago, is of Norwegian descent on
-both sides of the family. His mother,
Lara-, who was born and raised in Up-
ham, N. Dak., is a daughter of th'
pioneers, Stefan and Holmfridur
Johnson, of the Mouse River com-
munity in North Dakota. John is
named after his mother’s brother Jon
Magnus, a sculptor.
A-ccroding to letters received by his
mother, Mr. Thompson is already so
interested in his work that he has ap-
lied for an extension of the original
one year in India. Speaking of his let-
ters she says:
“he writes fascinating, and at -times
frightening letters—that is as to con-
ditions there, He feels that doors are
opening up to him where there is un-
limited work to be done”.
On his return Mr. Thompson hopes
to write his thesis for a Doctorate on
his studies and research in India.
John married Mary Lou Stevenson
of Vermont, U.S.A. His wife and three
young sons, oldest five, will leave for
India on December 11, by jet plane,
with one stop over in Rome, and on
Dec. 13, will reach Bombay, India.
This magazine hopes to get at least
one article from Mr. Thompson while
in India, and congratulates him on be-
ing selected for this important as-
signment. —W. J. L.
JOHN V. SAMSON ENTERS
CIVIC POLITICS
In the civic elections in Winnipeg
in October, John V. Samson, well
known businessman, was elected aider-
man on the city council for Ward Two.
It was Mr. Samson’s first venture into
civic politics. He was endorsed by the
Civic Election Committee.
Born and raised in Winnipeg Mr.
Samson received his education in city
public and high schools. A printer by
trade he is part owner and operator of
Viking Printers. He is a member of
the Typographical Union.
He is married. The family home is
John V. Samson at 1021 Dominion St.