Served as mayor: December 1, 1941–November 30, 1947

Joseph High Thomson was born in Union County, South Carolina, to James and Jane Foster Thomson. By the time Joe was 27, he was living in Kings Mountain. He was working for the Southern Railroad Company as a Freight and Passenger Agent. As of 1930, Joe was working as an office manager at one of the cotton mills. Before he became mayor, he was still working in this field.

Joseph was married to his wife, Irma Willeford Thomson, for 51 years before she passed away. The couple had no children.

Joseph High Thomson passed away at the age of 85.