Los Angeles
County
Biographies
JOHN H. THORN
A
notably successful businessman and highly respected citizen of Monterey Park is
John H. Thorn, head of the firm John H. Thorn, office furniture and shop
equipment.
Mr.
Thorn was born on October 19, 1909, in Riverdale, New York. His father, Willis H. Thorn, was head of the
firm T. & W. Thorn, dealing in coal.
His mother, Henrietta W. (Wellbrock) Thorn, is
a descendant of the Reverend Brockley, who was the
first Episcopalian minister in the United States. He officiated in New York. Mr. Thorn is one of three children. His brother is in United States Government
service in Washington, D. C.
He
attended elementary school in Chelsea, New York, high school in Beacon, New York,
and graduated from New York Military Academy.
He received his B. A. degree in civil engineering from the University of
Vermont.
Mr.
John H. Thorn married Miss Anna Zurcher on October 3,
1948. They have two children. Daughter Susan Lenore Thorn is eleven years
old, and son John Robert is seven years old.
Both attend Emerson School in South San Gabriel. Mrs. Thorn is a willing worker in fund
raising campaigns and secretary of the Parent-Teachers’ Association in South
San Gabriel.
After
working for the New York State Highway Department from 1934 to 1938, Mr. Thorn
accepted a position with Essex Wire Corporation, managing the New York State
territory, and stayed from 1938 to 1942.
During
World War II he served in the United States Navy, Fleet Maintenance Division,
and was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander at the end of the
War. For distinguished service he was
honored with a Letter of Commendation from President Harry S. Truman.
Upon
returning to civilian life, he resumed his position with Essex Wire Corporation
for another year. He moved to Monterey
Park in 1948 and worked for Lyon Metal Products, Inc., as dealer-supervisor for
Southern California and Nevada. In 1953
he started his own business which he operated at 1819 South Soto Street in Los
Angeles until 1955.
Since
1955 he heads the firm John H. Thorn Co., office furniture and shop equipment
at 270 East Garvey Blvd., Monterey Park.
His firm manufactures the Devey Desks and
distributes them world-wide. The firm
handles Lyon Metal Products, and retails and distributes steel office equipment
for industry.
The
Thorn family are members of the Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Thorn is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Masonic Lodge in Beacon, New York; Ramona
Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 457 in Monterey Park; the Pasadena Consistory; Al
Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles; the Mystic Shrine in San Gabriel; and
the Independent Order of Redmen, of which he is past president. He also belongs to the Order of Episcopal
Laymen.
He
joined the Phi Delta Theta College Fraternity, and was president of the University
of Vermont Alumni Association in 1956.
Active
in civil work, Mr. Thorn is a member of the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce,
and is also a member of the Monterey Park Lions Club.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 705-706, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES