M. S. Thorn, farmer, section 18, Richland Township, was born in Maine, near Portland, November 11, 1832, son of Job Thorn. He was reared in his native State, and at nineteen years of age engaged in the trade of stone mason, which he followed many years. In 1851 he went to California, where he remained three years, working at his trade and in the mines. In 1855 he returned to Maine, living there two years, then removed to Boone County, Illinois, and in 1863 came to this State, locating in Benton County. Here he improved a farm and lived upon it until 1876, when he sold and came to Carroll County. He first purchased a portion of his present farm. It now contains 680 acres of as good land as can be found in Carroll County. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, built in 1880, a native grove of trees, good buildings for stock and grain, and all farm conveniences. His son, G. W. Thorn, is a partner in the farm, and is an active business man. They are principally engaged in stock-raising and feeding. Mr. Thorn was married in 1856 to Miss Caroline A. Thorn, also a native of Maine, and to this union have been born four children — G. W., Lawrence B., Irwin M. and Alva. Politically Mr. Thorn is an ardent Republican. He served as township clerk seven years.

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