US Con Thomson, John Renshaw - U.S. Senator, NJ

John Renshaw Thomson​

Born: September 25, 1800

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Father: Edward Thomson 1776 – 1853

Mother: Ann Renshaw 1773 – 1842

1st Wife: Annis Stockton 1804 – 1842

(Buried: Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey)​

2nd Wife: Josephine Antionette Ward 1820 – 1906

(Buried: Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey)​

Children:

Abigail Thomson​

Political Party: Democratic Party

Education:

Attended College of New Jersey​

Occupation before War:

Merchant in Canton, China​

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1823 – 1825: United States Counsel at Canton, China​

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Returned to the United States, Settling in Princeton, New Jersey​

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Director and Secretary of Delaware & Raritan Canal Company​

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President and Treasurer for Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad Company​

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1844: Member of New Jersey State Constitutional Convention​

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1844: Unsuccessful Democratic Candidate for Governor of New Jersey​

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1853 – 1862: United States Senator from New Jersey​

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1853 – 1857: Member of Senate Public Buildings Committee​

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1855 – 1859: Member of Senate Pensions Committee​

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1859 – 1861: Chairman of Senate Pensions Committee​

Civil War Career:

1853 – 1862: United States Senator from New Jersey​

Died: September 12, 1862

Place of Death: Princeton, New Jersey

Age at time of Death: 61 years old

Burial Place: Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey

 

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His second wife/widow married Governor Thomas Swann in 1878.

 

[Pollaco]

He was elected as U.S. Senator to fill the vacancy created by his brother-in-law's resignation. The brother-in-law was Robert F. Stockton. Thomson held this Senate seat from March 4, 1853 until September 12, 1862.Stockton resigned to serve as president of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Company.