THOMAS C. THORNE
A
spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated Thomas C.
Thorne in all the activities of his career and has been the
most important element in the attainment of the success which
he today enjoys. He
owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of fine land
lying on section 16, Union township and is classed with the
representative and progressive agriculturists of this
locality. He was
born in Henry county, Illinois, December 6, 1851, and is a son
of William and Sophronia (Metcalf) Thorne, the former born on
the Atlantic ocean and the latter in Maryland. The parents came
overland in 1854 and were among the pioneers in Linn county,
Iowa, where the father followed farming for a number of years. In 1869 they came
to Lucas county, Washington township, and here William Thorne
passed away in 1888. His
wife survived him a number of years, dying in Union township,
this county, in 1901. Four
children were born to their union: W. A., who died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Thomas C., of this review; R. C. residing in Floyd county; and
one child who died in infancy.
Thomas
C. Thorne was three years of age when his parents made their
overland journey into Iowa and in 1869 accompanied them to
Washington township, Lucas county, where he has since remained
an esteemed and respected resident. A few years after his arrival here he
turned his attention to farming and the years since that time
have brought him success, prominence and substantial fortune
as a result of his well directed and energetic labors. His farm is today
one of the finest in this part of the state. It comprises three
hundred and twenty acres on section 16, Union township, and is
equipped with two sets of good improvements. Mr. Thorne never
neglects anything which will add to it attractive appearance
or its value, and the entire property reflects his careful
supervision and practical methods.
On
the 8th of September, 1874, Mr. Thorne was united
in marriage to Miss Augusta Smith, who was born in Muskingum
county, Ohio, November 2, 1853, a daughter of Jacob and
Emmeline (Vogel) Smith, the former a native of Muskingum
county, born in March, 1827, and the latter a native of
Germany. The
parents moved to Wapello county, Iowa, in the spring of 1862
and settled in Blakesburg, where they resided for a number of
years. The
father died at Russell, this state, on the 26th of
April, 1890. The
mother, who was brought to America when she was a few months
old, also passed away in Russell. Six children were born to their union: Mrs. Thorne, wife
of the subject of this review; Mrs. Adelia Thornbrue, who was
born March 12, 1855, and who now resides in Des Moines, Iowa;
C. D. who was born August 5, 1857, now a resident of Russell,
Iowa; E. A. who was born April 22, 1859, also a resident of
Russell; Mrs.
Violet Coen, whose birth occurred February 15, 1861, and who
makes her home in Afton, Iowa; and Mrs. Adessa Plotts, who was
born January 25, 1866, and who now resides in Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Thorne
have a son, Harry Eugene, who was born at Russell, January 17,
1882, and who lives with his parents; and an adopted daughter,
Ruth Adelia, who was born December 5, 1897, and who has just
completed the eighth grade in common schools.
Mr.
Thorne gives his political allegiance to the democratic party
and as a public-spirited and loyal citizen takes a great
interest in community affairs, although he is not an active
politician. He
is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He and
his wife have an extensive circle of friends and are highly
esteemed and respected in Union township, where their
excellent qualities of mind and character are known and
recognized.