Tompkins was born on August 15, 1817 in Walcott, Lincolnshire, England. His family came to New York in 1828. In 1839 he married Jane Elizabeth Rollins. After Jane died in February 1865, he married Artemesia Floradona Perry on August 6, 1865. Tompkins died on January 14, 1885 and is buried in the San Bernardino Pioneer Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of City of San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society