Born in Edinburgh, Thomson emigrated in 1854 to New Jersey, there completing his apprenticeship as a paper-maker. He moved in 1860 to Saint John, N.B., where he devised an improved method for the chemical manufacture of wood pulp. Thomson then joined the firm of Angus, Logan and Company, at whose plant in Windsor Mills in 1864 he supervised Canada's first commercial production of wood pulp. In 1872 he, his brother James and J.W. Rooklidge established the Newburgh Paper Mills. The following year, John built a paper mill at Napanee Mills (Strathcona), and in 1879-80 the brothers jointly erected the Thomson Mills near Newburgh which operated under various owners until dismantled in 1932.

Location

In front of the municipal office, Main Street, Newburgh - at the junction of County Roads 2 and 11

Themes

• Industry and trade
• People