Ezra Thompson
Ezra Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Died | April 8, 1923 (aged 72) Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Years active | 1899–1907 |
| Known for | Mayor of Salt Lake City (1900–1903, 1906–1907) |
Ezra Thompson (1850–1923) served as the 12th and 14th mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, holding office during two separate periods: from 1900 to 1903 and again from 1906 to 1907.
Early life
Thompson was born on July 17, 1850, in Salt Lake City. He accumulated his wealth through a mining enterprise in Park City, Utah, partnering with future U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns. In 1885, he married Emily Pugsley, and the couple had four children together.
First term
Thompson secured the mayoralty in 1899 as a member of the Republican Party and was re-elected in 1901, serving until 1903. During his tenure, he notably opposed the Utah Legislature’s appointment of Mormon Apostle Reed Smoot to the U.S. Senate in 1903, expressing resistance to the LDS Church’s role in governmental affairs.
Second term
In 1904, Thompson helped establish the anti-Mormon American Party, which sought to diminish the political influence of the LDS Church within Utah. Running under this party's banner, he won the mayoral election in 1905, with a city council majority also composed of American Party members. Throughout this term, he openly condemned church authorities for purported support of plural marriage.
Thompson resigned in 1907 due to health concerns following bribery allegations against his police chief George Sheets; although Sheets stepped down after being exonerated. His successor was John S. Bransford, leader of the American Party.
Thompson passed away on April 8, 1923, in Salt Lake City. At the time of his death, he ranked among the largest landowners in the city, leaving behind an estate worth more than $2.5 million.