West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
SARAH ELLEN THARP

Mrs. Tharp was 98 years of age on the 9th day of March, 1938, being only six months younger than Mrs. Wilkins, the oldest resident. Before her marriage she was Sarah Wills, and was born near Logansport, Ind. When 12 years of age she came with her parents to Louisa County, Iowa, crossing the river at Muscatine on a horse ferry. She married Lee Tharp in 1858. In 1861 he went to war as a volunteer in Company K. 8th Iowa Infantry. While her husband was in the service, she went down the Mississippi with her child, Martha, and spent the winter in camp at Memphis, where he was on picket duty. While there she helped cook. She is the mother of six children all living. Mrs. Tharp is quite well, although blind and slightly deaf.

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