Thorn, Sanford

THORN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 18:05:19

SANFORD THORN
born Mar 14, 1825, Iowa

Sanford Thorn is a self-made man who started out in life a poor boy, having from the tender age of eight years been dependent entirely upon his own resources. Steadily he has worked his way upward, brushing aside the barriers in his path, and overcoming all obstacles that obstructed his way to success, and today, as the reward of his untiring energy, he is the possessor of a handsome competence. Mr Thorn is numbered among the native sons of the Buckeye State. He was born in Jackson county, March 14, 1825, being a son of William and Elizabeth (Bachus) Thorn, whose family numbered three children - John, one who died in infancy, and Sanford. When only three months old, our subject was left an orphan and from that time until eight years of age made his home with his paternal grandfather, William Thorn. He then started out in life for himself. Few indeed were his educational privileges, and whatever pleasures and successes came to him were the reward of his own exertions. He worked on different farms as he found opportunity, and also engaged in carrying the mail in Jackson, Athens, Hawkins, and Gallia counties, Ohio, making the journey on horse-back, and receiving as a compensation only twelve and a half cents per day. Later as he received better wages, he spent part of his money in securing an education, and in the school of experience he gained a good practical knowledge. Mr. Thorn first came to Iowa in 1845, which time he visited Wapello and Henry counties. Subsequently he returned to Peoria county, Illinois, where he remained for nine years, when he again came to this State, spending the succeeding winter in Marion county. Later he visited Warren and Lucas counties and resided near Hammondsburg two years, on the expiration of which period sold his property to John A Notestine, banker of Milo, and purchased his home in July, 1866.
On Saturday, the 18th of January, 1851, Mr. Thorn was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Barber, a native of New York, and a daughter of John Barber. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Harriet; Chauncey, of Squaw township, Warren county; Nancy, wife of George Sones; Maria; Sanford S., of Clarke county, Iowa; Stephen E., of Liberty township, Warren county, Iowa; and John, of Oakland, California. When Mr. and Mrs. Thorn came to Iowa they crossed the river at Burlington, bringing with them two horses and two dogs. They resided in a tent until a log house could be erected and did their cooking under a tree. They were frequently visited by the Indians and went through the usual experiences and hardships of pioneer life, but all this has long since passed, and as the years have gone by the financial resources of Mr. Thorn have increased, all the comforts of civilization have been added to his home, and he is now the owner of 380 acres of rich and valuable land. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce and has since been a supporter of the Democracy. For thirty years he was a member of the Odd Fellows society, and has always lived so as to command the confidence and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.472