Joseph Gilbert Thorp (April 28, 1812 – January 13, 1895) was a millionaire lumber baron and a member of the Wisconsin State Senate.

Joseph G. Thorp
Member of the Wisconsin State Senate
In office
1872–1873
Constituency30th District
Member of the Wisconsin State Senate
In office
1866–1867
Constituency32nd District
Personal details
Born
Joseph Gilbert Thorp

(1812-04-28)April 28, 1812
Butternuts, New York, US
DiedJanuary 13, 1895(1895-01-13) (aged 82)
Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Political partyRepublican
OccupationBusinessman, politician
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Biography

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Thorp was born on April 28, 1812, in Butternuts, New York.[1] Later, he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1895.[2] The daughter of Joseph G. and Susan Amelia Thorp, Sara Chapman Bull, was married to the world-famous violinist Ole Bull in a lavish wedding in his Madison mansion.[2] His son, Joseph G. Thorp Jr., was married to a daughter of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.[2][3] Thorp, Wisconsin was named after him.[4][5]

Senate career

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Thorp represented the 32nd District of the Senate from 1866 to 1867 and the 30th District from 1872 to 1873.[6] He was a Republican.[7]

References

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  1. ^ The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin (11th ed.). Smith & Cullaton. 1872. p. 441. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Leaves a Vast Estate". The Weekly Wisconsin. January 19, 1895. p. 7. Retrieved July 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "Charles Noble Gregory". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. October 9, 1885. p. 5. Retrieved July 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Callary, Edward (2016). Place Names of Wisconsin. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 270.
  5. ^ "Comprehensive History of Thorp - 1993". Clark County History Buffs. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "Advice of the Marinette Eagle to Children". Eau Claire Weekly Free Press. December 7, 1871. p. 4. Retrieved July 9, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Menomonie Republican Rally". Eau Claire Weekly Free Press. October 26, 1871. p. 3. Retrieved July 10, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
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