File:Lewis Augustus Thompson (1845-1931) in The Courier-News of Bridgewater, New Jersey on 19 July 1930, part 1.jpg

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DescriptionLewis Augustus Thompson (1845-1931) in The Courier-News of Bridgewater, New Jersey on 19 July 1930, part 1.jpg	English: Lewis Augustus Thompson (1845-1931) in The Courier-News of Bridgewater, New Jersey on 19 July 1930, part 1
Date	19 July 1930
Source	The Courier-News of Bridgewater, New Jersey on 19 July 1930
Author	AnonymousUnknown author
Other versions	This file has an extracted image: Lewis Augustus Thompson (1845-1931) in 1930.jpg.

Text[edit]

Grand Old Man Of Somerville Passes 85 Line. "Sen." L. A. Thompson Observes Day Quietly With Family. Receives Felicitations Of Many. Somerville, New Jersey; July 19, 1930. Lewis A. Thompson, long a leader in the financial, business and political life of the community and affectionately spoken, of as "Somerville's grand, old man", is today observing the, 85th anniversary of his birth in his home at 114 West Cliff street The day is being observed quietly. Mrs. Thompson and their daughter. Miss Lois, a few other members of the family, relatives and close friends are there and during the day, still others are dropping in to extend their best wishes. It is a quiet affair, just like any other of the many birthdays observed by "The Senator". But throughout the borough, throughout the State and be yond, there are many happy folks, happy that their good friend has been spared to them for so long and that his health gives promise of many happy returns of the day. Wherever Lewis A. Thompson is known, he is loved and honored for his long career of public service and for the probity and efficiency with which he handled the affairs of State when these were entrusted to him. More than this, he has won a host of admiring friends, who hold him in the highest esteem and affection because of his qualities of character and the kindliness of his nature. His pre-eminent place in political, business and financial life has been due not only to his great capacity, mental and administrative, but as well to the fidelity which has led him to perform his every task or duty to the best of his ability. This same quality has made him faithful to all those obligations which friendship imposes. The original ancestors of Senator Thompson moved from Long Island and located In Elizabeth-town. Thomas Thompson lived in East Hampton, Long Island, in 1649. He took the oath of allegiance as one of the 80 Elizabethtown associates In February, 1665, and in 1672 was one of the Elizabethtown deputies in the provincial Legislature. He was active in the affairs of the State until his death in 1676. Members of the family subsequently located in Morristown, Mendham and the Northerly section of Somerset County. Born in Basking Ridge, July 19, 1845. Mr. Thompson was the elder son of Calvin and Margaret (Voorhees) Thompson. He was educated in the schools there and spent the first five or six years following his student days as a teacher at Washington Corner, receiving a salary of $17 a month for his services, and boarding around with the parents of his pupils. The following six years ho established himself in business in Basking Ridge, the firm name of the general store being Thompson & Henry. Then he moved to Somerville, in 1877, beginning his career here as a merchant. Ho opened a very completely stocked fancy goods and millinery store, which he operated with Increasing success until 1894, at the same time operating a second store in Trenton. It was in 1880 that Mr. Thompson first became publicly identified with the political life of the county. It was strongly Democratic and he was strongly Republican and yet he was elected sheriff in 1880, the only one of his party to win the election. This was an evidence of the confidence and respect which he has already won among his fellow citizens. In 1883 and 1884 he was president of the Board of Commissioners of Somerville and in 1531 was elected on the ticket of his own party to the State Senate as a representative of Somerset County. Re-elected to the State Legislature in 13827 and again in 1893. he served until 1896 and was then chosen president of the Senate. The increasing plurality by which he wa3 elected on each of the three times that his name was before the voters of the county show that his hold upon the people grew stronger and stronger as his service to the State demonstrated the fiber of his character and mind. In 1884 he defeated his opponent by only 89 votes. In 1887 the contest was by no means so close, his margin being 450 votes. The third time, in 1323, his majority was 893 votes.- During his incumbency in the Senate, Mr. Thompson served on almost all or the important legislative committees. In 1885 he was chairman of the Committee on Elections and a member of the Committees on Claims and Pensions. Treasurer's Account and the Reform School for Boys. In 1885 he. was chairman of the last two named committees and was also a member of the Committees on Railroads and Canals, on Miscellaneous Business and on Printing, and remained a member of the Committee on Railroads and Canals and Miscellaneous Business. In addition to these, Mr. Thompson became a member of the Committee on Public Grounds and Buildings. In 1888 he was made chairman of the Committees on Corporation-, of Treasurer's Account and on Printing and was a member of the Committees on Railroads and Canals, on Miscellaneous Business and on Engrossed Bills. In 1889 he served In addition as a member of the Committee on Lunatic Asylums. From 1894 to 1896 Mr. Thompson served as chairman of the Committees on Corporations, on Unfinished Business and on State Prison, also as a member of the Committees on Finance, Agriculture and the Agricultural College, Treasurer's Accounts and Commerce and Navigation. He was president of the Senate in 1896, resigning March 6 of that year to accept the position of Clerk in Chancery, having been nominated to that office by the1 Governor and the nomination receiving the unanimous confirmation of the Senate. Following his retirement from the political arena Mr. Thompson again turned his attention to business pursuits and won new successes as a real estate proprietor and realtor. He also became actively interested in financial affairs and in 1912, accepted the presidency of the Somerville Savings Bank, to which he had been elected. This bank, under his capable supervision, has become an important factor in financial circles. He also became identified with other concerns, is the principal owner of the Independent Brick Company of Bordentown and Trenton, and a director in a number of other companies. Mr. Thompson" spends his Winters on his estate at Greenville. Florida, the balance of the year at his beautiful residence in Somerville. Every business day during his residence here he goes to his office in the Somerville Savings Bank Building, frequently walking the more than five big blocks from his horns. His intellect is keen and his memory of events and people remarkable.

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