The Thorp Family

James B. Thorp in Commemorative Biographical Record, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

JAMES B. THORP, attorney at law and agriculturist. This well-known and highly-respected citizen of Allen township, Ottawa county, who has contributed in no small degree to the de- velopment and substantial progress of the community in which he lives, is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth taking place January 22, 1830, at Warrensville, Cuyahoga county.

Mr. Thorp received his early educa- tion in the district schools of his birth-

place, which was supplemented by a course in the high school at Cleveland. On leaving school he decided to learn a trade, and served an apprenticeship with the well-known firm of Scofield & Gill, contractors and builders, of Cleveland. At the expiration of that time he went into business for himself in that line in Cleveland, which he carried on with great success for eleven years. His health then failing, he gave up his work and went to Michigan, hoping to be benefited b}' the change, and; located in Hillsdale, where he remained for two years. Not finding any improvement in his health, he con- cluded to seek a more genial climate, and journeyed to Oregon; from there by sea to Cuba, Central America, Mexico and California. Jn 1862 Mr. Thorp returned to Oregon, and located in Josephine county, where he remained for two years, spending his time most delightfull}- and rapidly regaining health and strength. In 1S64, being fully restored to his former activity, he returned to his old home in Warrensville, this State, and decided to engage in farming, as a more healthful occupation than the one he had been fol- lowing. In 1870 Mr. Thorp left War- rensville and settled in Ottawa county, in what is now Allen township. Here he bought forty acres of timberland, and, first building a log cabin, set to work to clear his land. He found the soil to be verj' productive, and, with the shrewd judgment which has always characterized his career, he added eighty acres more, continuing to purchase as his means war- ranted, until he owned 335 acres. On this propert}- he has expended much time, labor and money, and its present high state of cultivation and consequent increase in value are evidences of the in- dustry and intelligent management of the owner. Six years were spent in the humble log cabin, that then gave place to the handsome residence, which is one of the finest and most comfortable homes in Allen township. Mr. Thorp was married,

March 19, 1868, at Berea, Cuyahoga county, to Carolina, daughter of \'an- Rennesaler and Catherine (Weller) Sur- rarer, both natives of New York State. Of this union one child, Yale J., has been born, his birth taking place January 24, 1 87 1. He was educated at the public schools of Allen township, and also in the high school of Toledo. Having de- cided to follow the occupation of a farmer, he is now the managing partner on his father's farm, and transacts all business appertaining to it; is also a notary public. Warren Thorp, the father of our sub- ject, was born April 12, 1802, in the third log house that was built on the ground where the city of Cleveland now stands. His father, Joel Thorp, a mill- wright by trade, came from Connecticut to Ohio in 1799, traveling the long dis- tance by ox-team. He settled in Ashta- bula county, and was killed in the war of 181 2. Warren Thorp settled in War- rensville and carried on farming. He married Hannah Burnside, a daughter of James Burnside, who w'as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war, and a colonel in the war of 181 2. In the latter war he was in a number of battles and received eleven wounds (he was an uncle of Col. Burnside, who served in the Civil war). To the parents of our subject seven chil- dren were born as follows: (i) Jane L. , born October 25, 1826, was married in 1847 to Henry N. Clark, a farmer of Cuyahoga county; they have one child. (2) Harriette L., born February 27, 1828, was married, August 6, 1845, ^'^ Lewis B. Harrington, a farmer of Rockport, and they have five children. (3) James B., our subject. (4) Warren A., born January 15, 1832, is a farmer in Mayfield, and married Elizabeth Barber, and they have five children. (5) Joseph P., born January 22, 1834, is a farmer and lives on the old homestead in W'arrensville, where he is a justice of the peace; was married in 1864 to Miss Melissa Morris, and the}' have five children. (6) Han-

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nah M., born April 30, 1836, now the wife of Daniel Gardner, of Berea; they also have five children. (7) Charles W. , born March 16, 1S40, was married in 1864 to Melinda Gardner, and they had five children; his wife died in 1873, and his second wife is Miss Mary Brier, whom he married about 1880; they have no children. Hannah (Burnside) Thorp, the mother of our subject, was born May 4, 1809, and died May 3, 1884, her husband passing away April 3, 1888; both died in Warrensville. Caroline Surrarer, the wife of our subject was born in Cuyahoga county, August 30, 1842, and was one of eleven children born to her parents.

The subject of this sketch, after fol- lowing fanning for a number of years, decided to begin the study of law and accordingly, in 1887, began reading in the office of Thomas J. Marshall, at Port Clinton, this State. Since beginning practice he has been very successful and has an extensive clientele, both in his immediate vicinity and throughout the county. He takes cases in the Justice Courts and assists Mr. Marshall in the court of common pleas. He was census enumerator in 1890, has served as asses- sor for several years, has been a member of the school board several times, being now president of the board of school di- rectors of Allen township, and is also notary public. Mr. Thorp is an ardent Republican and always alive to the needs and welfare of his community. He is a man of much energy and of broad and progressive views, and his opinion carries weight with his fellow citizens. He and his family are attendants of the Methodist Chuich.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.