Program

Hometown Heritage®

Subject

Government, People

Location

1 Berry Pl, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ 07717, USA

Lat/Long

40.191040371755, -74.022647904871

Grant Recipient

Avon Historical Society

Born in Lochee, Scotland, in 1864, John Thomson emigrated to America by the age of 18. After settling in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he held various positions in undertaking and street grading before establishing a successful meat market in Avon in 1884. He later expanded his business interests by opening a Ford automobile agency in 1907.

Thomson’s public service in Avon began in 1901 when he was elected the town’s first fire chief. That same year, he began his first of several terms as Mayor. He served annual terms from 1901 to 1905, 1910 to 1911, and 1916 to 1919. Following a change in local law that extended the mayoral term to four years, he was elected again in 1923. Beyond his political roles, Thomson was instrumental in forming the First National Bank in Avon and began serving as its president in 1923.

During a run for sheriff between his mayoral terms, local newspapers referred to Thomson as “The Bard of Avon.” He was a recognized orator throughout Monmouth County and was frequently noted for his recitations of Scottish poetry and stories.

Following his sudden death in 1926, thousands of people attended his funeral, which featured six truckloads of flowers from local organizations. In 1927, in response to a petition signed by hundreds of residents, the town passed a resolution renaming Avon Park to Thomson Square in his honor.