THORNE, John Campbell - 1890 Bio (1850-1925)

THORNE, CALHOUN, PITKIN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/2/2007 at 20:20:01

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 200

John C. THORNE, a leading dry-goods merchant of Fairfield, has been engaged in his present line of business in that city since 1880, but for thirty years he has been a resident of the Hawkeye State. However, he claims Pennsylvania as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Butler County, August 26, 1851. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth S. (CALHOUN) THORNE. When he was a lad of six years he father died, and two years later he came to Iowa to make his home with his maternal grandfather who was then living in the northeastern part of Van Buren County. His boyhood days were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, and when not employed in labors connected with the farm he attended the public schools where he received a good English education. This was supplemented by attendance at the academy of Birmingham, and afterward he pursued a course in the Commercial College of Keokuk. In 1870, Mr. THORNE made his way to Tennessee and for a time engaged in clerking in Manchester. There he gained a fair knowledge of business principles and in 1874 returned to Fairfield, where he was employed for one year as dry goods clerk in the house of Mr. Risk. He then secured a like position with J. E. Roth, with whom he remained five years, when in the spring of 1880, he embarked in business for himself. In the ten years which have since elapsed he has found ample reward for the efforts he has put forth and is now doing a large business which is annually increasing. In 1880, he started in business in company with E. M. Gage, under the firm name of THORNE & Gage. This connection continued for three years when Mr. THORNE bought his partner's interest, and since that time he has continued the business alone. During his service as salesman the public had found that it would receive courteous treatment, prompt attention and fair dealing from Mr. THORNE, and was glad of an opportunity to show its appreciation of his faithfulness which it does by a liberal patronage.

On the 12th of April, 1877, Mr. THORNE led to the marriage altar Miss Rose PITKIN, daughter of E. PITKIN, now of Fayetteville, Ark. The lady is a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, and unto them has been born one child, Harry Pitkin, born March 18, 1879. The parents attend the Presbyterian Church and in political sentiment Mr. THORNE is a Republican. He is one of the enterprising and wide-awake merchants of Fairfield, popular with the public and highly esteemed throughout the county.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.