Robert Thorpe

As printed in 1902

ROBERT HOMER THORPE. Robert Homer Thorpe, who follows farming and stock raising on the Springfield and South Charleston pike, was born in

Harmony township January 17, 1843, and is - a son of Robert and Mary (Homer) Thorpe. The father was a native of Yorkshire, England, born May 8, 1808, and when nine years ot age came to America with his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Thorpe, who made their way to Ohio and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. The grandfather brought some capital with him and purchased land in 1817. The tract was largely covered with timber, but with characteristic energy he began to clear away the trees and prepare the land for cultivation. In his business affairs he prospered and from time to time he added to his possessions, making his home on the farm until about 1840, when he was called to his final rest. He was the father of nine children, of whom Robert Thorpe was the fifth in order of birth. He was the only one who married and about 1836 he was joined in wedlock to Mary Homer.

The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm which was a part of the Thorpe estate and after the death of the grandfather the father inherited eighty-six acres there. Subsequently he sold that property about 1856 and purchased a larger farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres in Madison township. It remained his home for a few years when he again sold out and bought one hundred acres of land in Harmony township, there carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He died February 1, 1881, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Fletcher chapel. His wife was also a'native of England and came to the new world with her parents, Richard and Rachel Homer, who settled in Clark county, but later removed to Indiana, taking up their above near Evansville, where their last days were passed. Unto Robert and Mary Thorpe were born eight children, six of whom reached years of maturity. Mrs. Mary J. Mitchell is now living in Springfield township and has four children. Robert Homer is next. in order of birth. Rachel Elizabeth became the wife of Leroy Whittredge and lives in Springfield township. George C. is a farmer of Harmony township and has three children. + Phebe Ellen is the wife of DAA Sprague., Sarah F. married A. S. Schoenbarger, of Clark county, by whom she has two children. The father of this family was a Whig in his political affiliations in early life and upon the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the Republican party, strongly endorsing its principles, but never seeking or holding office.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon the home farm in Harmony township and he acquired a good common school education. On attaining his majority he began working for himself, devoting his attention to stock dealing and agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he went to Kansas, settling in Labette county, where he purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres of land. He did not remain in the west, however, for any great length of time, but returned to

Clark county in 1870. He then purchased

.548 one hundred and six acres of land in Madison township and made his home thereon for nineteen years. He and his brother inherited the farm upon which he is now living and he purchased his brother's interest. The fine brick residence upon the place was erected in 1854, the brick being made from clay obtained on the farm. Mr. Thorpe is a Republican but not an office seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with agricultural pursuits and his labors have been well conducted, and his business so carefully carried on that he has continually increased his capital and is now one of the substantial residents in this part of the state.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.