History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1165

Dr. John R. Thomson, First Assistant Superintendent of the Northern
Hospital for the Insane, was born in Northumberland, England, July 20,
1845. His parents came to United States in 1847 and located in New York
City. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education in New
York, and, in 1857, he went to Scotland, where he remained until 1861,
pursuing his classical studies. On his return to the United States, he
engaged in the drug business in New York City. In 1869, he entered
Columbia College and graduated in 1872; was then surgeon on an Atlantic
steamer for a short time; after practicing medicine in New York about one
year, and in Colorado some three years, he then took a position in the
Northern Hospital for the Insane. He was married in Appleton, Wis., May,
1880, to Miss Annie Galpin; they have one child- Georgianna. Dr. Thomson
is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge and Chapter.