James Houston Thompson was born in Davidson (Iredell County), North Carolina, on May 2, 1880. Thompson worked as a travelling salesman for most of his career. He mostly lived in North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County), where he also clerked for Miller Grocery Store. By 1940, he moved permanently to Mocksville (Davie County), where he later served as mayor. He died in Mocksville on November 13, 1960.