Rotary Gives Citizenship Citation

WASHBURN -- Laurel W. Thompson, president of Washburn Trust Company, has received the Washburn Rotary Club's first annual Citizenship Award. The plaque presented to him by President Forbes read:

"In recognition of his sense of civic responsibility outstanding services to our community that will forever serve as an inspiration to our citizens".

Thompson was born in Ludlow, Sept. 22, 1905, the son of Audbur and Elizabeth Thompson. He graduated from Houlton High School in 1924 and came to Washburn in the fall as manager of the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. In 1925, he was transferred to the managership of the A&P store in Presque Isle. He remained there until December 1925 when he became bookkeeper for Washburn Trust Co.

When he was elected treasurer of the bank, he was the youngest man to hold such a position in the state. This was in 1926. He was elected president of the Washburn Trust Co. in 1939.

He was a member of the Washburn School Board for 12 years; a former member of the Washburn Town Council; treasurer of the First Baptist Church for many years; a trustee of the First Baptist Church; past president Of Washburn Rotary Club; past master of Washburn Masonic Lodge; past president of the Washburn Rotary Club; past president of the Aroostook Bankers Association; past president of the Maine Bankers Association.

He served on the sub-committee in Agriculture of the American Bankers Association for three years. He has been a director of Maine Mutual Insurance Co. in Presque Isle, and director of the Aroostook Valley Railroad.

In 1956 he was awarded an honorary Master of Arts Degree by Colby College.

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