For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 582
FRANK DWIGHT THROOP....Frank Dwight Throop, publisher of the Muscatine Journal, was born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, September 23, 1878. He is a representative of one of the old families of New York. His grandfather, D. D. W. C. Throop, was born in the Empire state and, removing westward in the ' 60s, soon afterward became editor of the Free Press at Muscatine, being thus connected with the paper for twenty years. His articles were characterized by a virility and clearness which made them of widespread interest. He was engaged in writing an editorial when death suddenly claimed him in 1888, when he was sixty-eight years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Lydia Ann Whipple, who was born in New York, to which state she returned after her husband's death. She still makes occasional trips to the middle west although she is now eighty-five years of age. In their family were two sons and a daughter : George E.; Eliza, the deceased wife of M. J. Blanding ; and James H., a resident of Norwich, New York.George E. Throop was born in New York and spent his boyhood days in that state, acquiring his education in the public schools. He then traveled to some extent and in 1868 became a resident of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and was appointed to the position of local editor of the Mount Pleasant Free Press, of which his father was editor in chief. His connection with the paper covered almost two decades, at the end of which time he retired to accept the position of deputy postmaster, which he filled for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he became business manager and part owner of the Daily and Weekly News of Mount Pleasant. In 1905 he removed to Muscatine and since 1906 has been deputy county auditor. He married Ida Gimble, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Oswald J. and Clara H. ( Smith ) Gimble, the former born in Germany and the latter in Philadelphia. Mr. Gimble followed the contracting business in the east and in the ' 40s removed westward to Illinois, remaining a resident of Peoria until 1856, when he took up his abode in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. There he engaged in business as a contractor but later turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, conducting a grocery store. A short time prior to his death he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, where he was killed by the cars in 1898, when about sixty-eight years of age. His widow still survives, as do their two children, Ida and Anna, Charles Byron dying in 1901. The first named became the wife of George E. Throop and, Frank D. Throop of this review is their only child. Both parents are members of the Universalist church and during their residence in Muscatine have won many friends.
Frank D. Throop was reared in his native city and attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation fron the high school with the class of 1895. He then entered the Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated in 1899. During his school days he also learned and followed the printer's trade, thus aiding to pay his way through college. He afterward worked at his trade, becoming a linotype operator on the Clinton Herald with which he was connected until September 1, 1901. He then removed to Muscatine and became city editor of the Journal, so continuing until January, 1903, when he resigned and went to Kewanee, Illinois, where for a year and a half he was editor and part owner of the Kewanee Evening Press. He sold his interest in 1904 and went to Sterling, Illinois, becoming managing editor of the Sterling Standard. In the spring of 1905 he returned to Muscatine as managing editor of the Journal and following the death of W. L. Lane, the publisher of the paper, in January, 1907, Mr. Throop acquired his interest and has since been publisher and stockholder. The Journal is republican in politics and is published in daily and semi-weekly editions. It is an exponent of progressive and modern ideas of journalism and has thus secured a liberal advertising patronage and a large circulation.
On the 21st of June, 1905, Mr. Throop was married to Miss Mabel Leverich, a native of this city, who after her graduation from the high school with the class of 1897 engaged successfully in teaching for several years. Her parents were Professor R. W. and Olive ( Garlock ) Leverich. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Throop, Marjorie and Mary Katherine. The family residence is at No. 309 West Second street, where Mr. Throop owns a good home. Its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by the many friends of the family. Mr. Throop belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in religious faith is a Universalist, while his wife is a member of the Trinity Episcopal church. Both have become widely known and many attractive social characteristics and substantial qualities have gained them high and favorable regard.
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