Thorpe, William E. 1874-1910

THORPE, COULSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 11/1/2016 at 13:59:50

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Jan. 18, 1910

WILLIAM E. THORPE

It was on June 17, 1874, that the cheerful, happy life of William E. Thorpe began in Marshalltown, Iowa, in the family of a soldier in the Civil war, well known in Grinnell. His marriage occurred September 21st, 1898, when Miss Luella Coulson became his wife. His chief life work was in connection with the Salvation Army. He began it as a private in this city at the age of seventeen; at twenty he entered the training school at Omaha, and engaged in field service at twenty-one rising to the rank of ensign. His fifteen years there were strenuous ones, since nature and grace impelled him to do his work with his might and his heart was devoted to it. He visited nearly every state in the union, and was especially successful in promoting new life in posts which were becoming somewhat lukewarm.

His skill as a musician, vocal and instrumental, aided him greatly in this work.

While exhausted by overwork and preparing for an entertainment in Lawrence, Kansas, last week on Monday, he received a slight prick in the thumb from an electric wire, and held his entertainments, but blood poisoning ended his life four days later.

The funeral was held here on the 17th inst., conducted by Professor L.F. Parker in the Friends church. Music was furnished by a college quartette.

His wife and three children were present from their home in Wichita, Kansas; also his sister, three brothers and the mother.

His earthly life was less than thirty six years, but there are happier memories and a warm gratitude for it than for many a life of twice as long.