Representative George W. Thorn View All Years
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George W. Thorn
Clinton County
Born in England, March 31, 1817. He was nine years of age when his parents removed to Canada, and there lived, with the old folks until he was fifteen years old, assisting his father in clearing up and improving a wild and uncultivated tract of land. He then learned the mason's trade and worked at the same until, he came to this State. Arriving here, he took up his residence in Toronto, where he erected a log house. In 1844 he built a saw-mill on the Wapsie River, near Toronto, and in 1846 he added to it a gristmill and occupied his time in operating his mills for about fifteen years, when he disposed of the property to one John Heller. During that time, in 1850, he opened a store in Toronto, and, embarking in mercantile pursuits, carried a general stock of merchandise and continued in the business until 1880 when he closed out. Mr. Thorn was appointed Postmaster at Toronto during the administration of President Buchanan, and held the office until September 16, 1885. He was elected to the Iowa Legislature in the fall of 1865, and served his constituency faithfully and well during the session of 1866-68. He was Justice of the Peace for about twenty years, Drainage Commissioner for four years, County Supervisor eight years, and has also held the offices of County Clerk, Township Treasurer and School Treasurer. Mr. Thorn was first married in Cedar County, Iowa, June 29, 1845, to Lucinda Shriver. She was born in Morgan County, Ohio, February 11, 1825. The good wife and mother departed this life at Toronto, June 26, 1865, and our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance in Mahoning County, Ohio, June 17, 1870. In politics he was a Republican, and never fails to vote for his party when opportunity presents itself.
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