Thorp, Charles

THORP, SWIFT

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 17:41:32

CHARLES THORP

Among the successful merchants of Pleasanton is Charles Thorp, who is engaged in the grocery and restaurant business. He was born in Alton, Illinois, on the 19th of November, 1862, a son of George and Sarah Thorp, natives of England. The father, who was a silk weaver in his native land, emigrated to America in the ‘30s and located in Nauvoo, Illinois, where he worked at different occupations, eventually turning his attention to auctioneering and followed that calling for many years. He resided for a time in Hutchinson, Kansas, when that city was but a small village. He was burned out there and then went to Alton, Illinois, where he carried on business as an auctioneer for many years. He purchased merchandise which he sold at auction and proved quite successful. He was also a notary public. After leaving Alton he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as an auctioneer for the well-known Morgan, auctioneer. In 1881 he moved to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa, and turned his attention to farming, renting land for several years or until his death, which occurred in 1887. He was known as Captain Thorp and had many sincere friends. His widow and two cons, William and Charles, also a daughter, Jemima, removed to St. Louis and lived there for several years, after which the other made her hoe with her children until hr death, which occurred in June 19, 1902.

Charles Thorp was reared and educated in St. Louis and when he entered the business world he became connected with a stationery and printing firm, continuing in that line until 1881. In that year he accompanied his parents to Decatur county and following the demise of his father he returned with his mother and brothers and sister to St. Louis. He and a brother there operated the King’s Highway Express Company for fifteen years, after which they came again to Decatur county. They purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Hamilton township, near Pleasanton, and operated their farm until his brother’s health failed. They then sold out and removed to Pleasanton, where they purchased a store building and three lots and opened a grocery store and restaurant. They conducted business in partnership until the demise of the brother on the 8th of February , 1911. Since that time Mr. Thorp has been in business alone. He has studied the community carefully and buys his stock with a view to the demands of his customers. As his business policy is a liberal one he is meeting with well deserved success and receives a gratifying income from his store. The restaurant also returns him a good profit. Since the demise of is brother he has only one relative living, namely, Maria T. Swift, the wife of J. A. Swift, of St. Louis.

Mr. Thorp is a democrat and loyally supports that party at the polls, although he has never desired to hold public office. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic blue lodge, of which he is treasurer. His religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He is esteemed not only for his energy and business ability but also for his integrity and his consideration of others.