William Barlum Thompson

William Barlum Thompson was born on March 10, 1860, in Detroit, the son of Thomas and Bridget Barlum Thompson.[1] He graduated from the public schools of the city, and in 1876 from Goldsmith's Business University, located in Detroit.[1]

He went into the meat-market business with his uncle Thomas Barlum, became a partner with Barlum in 1880, and set off on his own in 1882.[1] In 1887 he married Nellie Hymes; the couple had nine children:[1] Mary (born 1888), Kathleen (1889), Irene (1891), William Grover (1892), Francis Leo (1895), Helen M. (1897), Edna L. (1899), Edith R. (1905), and Virginia M. (1909).[2]

William Barlum Thompson was a Democrat,[3] and served as an alderman for two terms, from 1891 to 1894, but declined to run for a third term.[1] However, by popular demand, he ran again in 1896 and was re-elected.[1] In 1897, he was elected city treasurer and resigned his seat as an alderman.[1] He served as treasurer for nine years.[3]

He was elected mayor twice, serving in 1907-1908 and again in 1911–1912.

Thompson went into partnership with his cousin John J. Barlum, forming the Cadillac Square Improvement Company.[4] The company constructed a number of buildings around Cadillac Square, including the Barlum Tower (now Cadillac Tower), the Barlum Hotel (now New Cadillac Square Apartments), and the Lawyers Building.[5]

William Barlum Thompson died in Detroit on February 12, 1941.[6]