Thomson 1913
ALEXANDER THOMSON
Contractor, Katanning.
Alexander Thomson
From Cyclopedia of WA – 1913
Alexander Thomson was born of Scotch parents at South Shields, England, on March 9, 1872. Coming with his family to Victoria during his early boyhood he attended the Essendon State School (i) until attaining the age of fourteen. He was then apprenticed to the carpentering trade under his father.
Upon the completion of his indentures he journeyed through the State, working at his trade in most of the large towns and, in 1895, decided to try his fortune in the West. Arriving at Fremantle, he was employed in journeyman work at the port for two years. In 1897, in partnership with Mr. Thorpe, established a business there, which he carried on for a further two years.
At the end of this period the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Thomson went to Queensland, only to return and re-establish his connection with Mr. Thorpe for another year. Subsequently, for several years, he carried on an independent business at Perth and Fremantle, being engaged in the building of villas, hotels, and other classes of work.
He moved to Katanning in 1905 and achieved conspicuous success in the erection of the Royal Exchange Hotel in the town. This work was followed by further important buildings, including the Mechanics’ Institute, the railway station buildings, churches, and private residences, in addition to three large hotels and other buildings in Albany and the surrounding districts.
Mr. Thomson had various investments in building properties in the district and, in many ways, had identified himself with the neighbourhood and town where he made his home. He always took a deep interest in municipal reform and government, and served as councillor in various places, including being a member of the Cottesloe Beach Roads Board for several years.
He was a member of the Masonic craft, and held office in this body. The bowling green offered attraction for his leisure hours, and he held membership in the Albany Bowling Club.
In 1897 he married Edith Maud (ii), daughter of Andrew Jenkinson (iii), of Ballarat, Victoria, and, in 1913, had four sons.
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(i) Founded in 1850, State School No. 483—first known as Pascoevale National School, thereafter as Essendon Primary School—is the oldest such institution still running in metropolitan Melbourne. Lying eight kilometres north-west of the CBD, it is characterised today by its too-little land, its core of 1920s buildings and its funny motto, the poetry-derived Follow the Gleam. More than the sum of these disparate parts, Essendon Primary is also a focus of the aspirations and endeavours of the surrounding suburban community.
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(ii) Edith Maude Jenkinson was born about 1869, in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the daughter of Andrew Jenkinson. She married Alexander Thomson on 14 April 1897, in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. They were the parents of at least 3 sons. She died on 1 July 1948, in Katanning, Western Australia, Australia, at the age of 80, and was buried in Katanning, Western Australia, Australia.
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(iii) Andrew Jenkinson was born about 1849, in Australia. He had at least 1 daughter. He immigrated to Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia in 1899. He died on 31 July 1946, at the age of 98, and was buried in Caulfield South, Victoria, Australia.
Thomson 1913