San Joaquin County
Biographies
EDWARD THORP
EDWARD THROP, of Elkhorn Township,
was born in Hart County, Kentucky, February 20, 1828, his parents being Allen
and Permelia A. (Reynolds) Thorp, both natives of
Kentucky. The father was a farmer by occupation and died when our subject was
quite young. The mother is still living and resides in Henry County, Illinois,
aged seventy-eight years.
Edward, the subject of this sketch, removed to Illinois when nine years old, where he resided with his mother and step-father until 1846, when he went to Mexico, remaining two years, then returned to his home. In 1850 he came to California, crossing the plains with horse teams. He followed mining for twenty-two months with moderate success, then returned East via the Isthmus. In 1853 he crossed the plains once more with his family, his wife and one child, for which purpose he had returned. One child died before they left Illinois. On his arrival he went to mining at Cold Spring, where he remained until 1855. He then came down and located the property on which he now resides. It contains 240 acres, situated five miles from Lodi. He now owns about 700 acres of choice farming land, on which he has made all the improvements. Part of their homelike and comfortable residence was built in 1855.
Mr. Thorp was married January 1, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Henderson, a native of Ohio. They have twelve children living and two deceased, namely: Allen W., born October 22, 1849, and died March 22, 1853; Nicholas, born May 18, 1852; John B., August 17, 1854; Belle C., March 9, 1856; George J., October 9, 1857; Knox A., February 11, 1859; Eliza A., March 12, 1861; and died December 12, 1862; Mary E., born April 27, 1863; Jason D., April 15, 1865; Zenas E., December 18, 1866; Sarah J., June 27, 1869; Katie P., May 3, 1871; Thomas H., February 28, 1873; Lulu, October 26, 1875. Mary E., is the wife of T. H. Watson; Belle C. is the wife of George Toni and Sarah J. is the wife of George McElroy.
Mr. Thorp farms 400 acres and rents 300. He has raised all of his large family without the services of a Chinaman; he has never had one on his place and never worn a shirt done up by them. He does a general farming business, raising hay, grain and stock. He fattens his hogs on corn every year in the old Illinois style. He also raises plenty of fruit and grapes for family use.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 416. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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