Thomson Family

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Family

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Thomson Family

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        Dates of existence

        1865 - 2009

        History

        Thomson, Anne McRae 1875-1958
        Thomson, Donald Walter 1906-2001
        Thomson, Elizabeth Shirley 1921-2008
        Thomson, George 1865-1946
        Thomson, George Wilbur (Wilbert) 1909-1968
        Thomson, Hannah Loretta (Reta) 1896-1960
        Thomson, John Harold 1898-1964
        Thomson, Norma Lillian 1911-2009
        Thomson, Osler McRae (Pat) 1913-1945

        George Thomson was born in 1865 to Elizabeth McLean and John F. Thomson in Leitchfield township, Pontiac county, Quebec. He graduated from the College of Pharmacy at Toronto in 1887. Following graduation he moved west, initially intending to settle in Seattle. However he stayed there only a few months, the headed north to Calgary. He came to Edmonton from Calgary by stage coach in the spring of 1888. He was the first qualified druggist in Edmonton and set up shop, initially on the north side of the river.

        About five years later he moved to the south side and opened Thomson's Drug Store, which was the first drug store in Strathcona. At the time the population of Strathcona was about 500.

        Anne McRae was born in 1875 to Flora McDonell and John J. McRae in St. Raphael’s, Ontario. She moved to Edmonton with her parents and siblings in 1892. Anne McRae married George Thomson 18 Jul 1894 In Edmonton. Anne and George had seven children between 1896 and 1921 – Hannah Loretta (Reta), John Harold, Donald Walter, George Wilbert, Norma Lillian, Osler McRae (Pat), and Elizabeth Shirley.

        George, Anne and their family lived above the drugstore on Whyte Avenue. Dr. Wilbert McIntyre, a highly respected doctor in Strathcona, had his office next door to George’s drugstore. The two men were sincere friends. At some point, likely around 1907, Thomson’s Drug Store was completely destroyed by a fire.

        In 1907, George became Strathcona’s postmaster, a position he held until 1923. George was very active in the community, including serving as the chief of the Volunteer Fire Brigade.

        Anne was also highly involved in the community, including as one of the founders of King Edward Community League, president of the Granite Women’s Curling Club, and a life member of the Eastern Star. Both Anne and George were members of the Northern Alberta Pioneers and Old Timers’ Association.

        George Thomson died Dec 1946.
        Annie McRae Thomson died 14 Jul 1958.

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        Authority record identifier

        AR-MS-168

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        City of Edmonton Archives

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