Sheldon Thompson (1785–1851) was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1840–1841. He was born in Derby, Connecticut on July 2, 1785. In early 1810, he moved to Lewiston, New York where he entered into the shipbuilding business and mercantile trade along the Great Lakes with Senior Partner, Jacob Townsend and Alvin Bronson. He also entered the salt trade from the Onondaga salt mines. In April 1811, he married Catharine Barton. His daughter Sally Ann married Henry K. Smith a future mayor of the city. Around 1816 or 1817, Thompson moved to Black Rock, and promoted the village which was in direct competition with Buffalo for the western terminus of the Erie Canal. By 1830, Thompson moved to Buffalo and became a principal freight forwarder.[2]

Sheldon Thompson
10th Mayor of Buffalo
In office
1840–1841
Preceded byHiram Pratt
Succeeded byIsaac R. Harrington
Personal details
BornJuly 2, 1785
Derby, Connecticut
DiedMarch 13, 1851(1851-03-13) (aged 65)
Buffalo, New York
Political partyWhig
SpouseCatharine Barton
Childrenten children
[1]

On March 8, 1840, Sheldon Thompson became the first mayor elected by the people. In 1845, he retired from active business life and occupied himself with the management of his estate. He died in Buffalo on March 13, 1851, and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Rizzo, Michael (2005). Through The Mayors' Eyes. Lulu. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3.
  2. ^ a b "Sheldon Thompson". Through The Mayor's Eyes, The Only Complete History of the Mayor's of Buffalo, New York, Compiled by Michael Rizzo. The Buffalonian is produced by The Peoples History Union. 2009-05-27.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Buffalo, NY
1840–1841
Succeeded by