What happened to Nels and Ace's father. As I understand, their mother was Caroline Putnam Thompson and she is buried in Piatt Co. Illinois with other family memebers. However in 1900 Census, she is listed only with her son Asler.

When and where did Mr. Thompson die? His name was also Charles Nelson (CN)Thompson and he worked with Sam Allerton also and was a General Mgr for the A.T. Land and Livestock Co: From the History of Boone County NE: page 32

CEDAR RAPIDS, NEBRASKA

R. H. ALLERTON, Prest.
H. R. JOHNSTONE, Sec. & Treas. S. W. ALLERTON, Vice Prest.
C. N. THOMPSON, Gen'l Mgr.

Nels and Ace are C.N's sons