Tharp, John W. – 1857-1935

EARP, ILER, STOVER, THARP

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 10/25/2014 at 14:51:43

John W. Tharp
Monroe – Funeral services for John W. Tharp, 78, long-time resident of Jasper county, were conducted from the Methodist church in Monroe Friday, March 1.
Music was furnished by a mixed quartet, composed of Mr. Alva Graffis, Mrs. L. A. Brodersen, George Tool and Clarence Tool, with Mrs. Roy Swartz as accompanist.
Attending from out-of-town were Charles Earp and Clarence Wheatcraft of Killduff; Mrs. Will Bruce, Mrs. Clark Wheatcraft, Mrs. Harry DePenning, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Beals, Mrs. Warren Rider and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Clement and sons, Carl and Leland Clement, Mrs. J. B. Clement and Miss Ruby Lust of Newton; Tom Swank and Mrs. Sam Clark of Pella; Mr. and Mrs. John Wyatt and Tom Wyatt of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Elwin Van Ness and son, Howard, of Sully; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Butin and son, Blaine, Marion Butin, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lust, Mrs. Arthur Lust, Mrs. George Tool, F. D. Bell, Ed Coker and Mrs. Frank Kroh of Reasnor.
Obituary
In the death of John W. Tharp, which occurred at the home of his son, Dr. Herbert M. Tharp in Monroe, Feb. 27, 1935, Jasper county loses one of its most widely known and highly respected citizens.
John Tharp was born Jan. 12, 1857, in Adair county, Missouri. Both of his parents died when he was but a boy. He was reared by John Stover, with whom he remained until he was 12 years of age, when he set out alone to make his way in the world.
He had no recollection whatever of his parents, and very little of any other near relative; thus, without their solicitous aid and guidance, he was compelled to face life quite alone.
Until he was twenty, he helped build grades for the Iowa Central railroad. Up until that time he had spent but one winter in school. When eighteen years of age, he was studying the “second reader,” but not daunted by this handicap, he redoubled his efforts and by diligent study and close application he trained his mind until he was qualified to teach in the schools of Iowa. This he did, as he did everything else, with profit to others, and credit to himself.
Married in 1882
On Dec. 24, 1882, Mr. Tharp was married to Miss Melvina Earp, daughter of L. D. and Serena (Iler) Earp. Two sons were born to this union, both of whom lived and grew to manhood, and both of whom were privileged to minister to the comfort of their father until the end came.
Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Tharp and his wife began house keeping in the Dunreath neighborhood, where he worked at coal mining.
For five years following this period, his work was more or less varied, then he started farming for himself. He owned and operated a farm until the spring of 1906. For two years during this period, Mr. Tharp and his wife moved in and cared for her father during his illness. At another time, he owned and operated a transfer line in Newton.
In 1906, they moved to Reasnor, Ia., where for several years he served Jasper county as superintendent of public highways.
For thirty-five consecutive years Mr. Tharp acted as policeman at the Jasper County fair.
Church Worker
At one time he was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school in Reasnor for a term of years. He also served as teacher in the Sunday school, and was a member of the Reasnor Methodist church.
He died at the advanced age of 78 years, one month and 156 days.
Surviving relatives are his widow, two sons, Dr. Herbert M. Tharp of Monroe and Homer W Tharp of Newton; four grandchildren, Miss Winona Tharp of Monroe, John W., Loren D., and Homer J., jr., of Newton, besides many other relatives.
Source: Jasper County Record, March 7, 1935