Gustavus C. Thorp Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1389-1390 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	GUSTAVUS C. THORP, deceased, who was one of the leading citizens 
of Britton, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the 24th of 
December, 1847, being a son of Alexander and Martha Thorp, who were 
likewise born and reared in that state, where the respective families 
were founded in an early day, the lineage on the paternal side being of 
staunch English origin. Mr. Thorp secured his early educational training 
in the public schools and supplemented this by a course of study in the 
academy at Hightstown, New Jersey. When about twenty-three years of age 
he secured a position as United States revenue officer in Virginia, and 
later he engaged in the manufacture and sale of illuminating oils in New 
York city, having been secretary of the New York Refining Company from 
1880 to 1885. In November, 1886, he came to what is now the state of 
South Dakota, and located in Britton, Marshall county, where he 
continued to make his home during the remainder of his life, save for an 
interval passed in North Dakota, as will be noted. Upon locating in 
Britton he established himself in the real-estate business, having 
confidence that this section of the Union would experience a rapid 
development as its attractions and magnificent natural resources became 
more fully known. He succeeded in building up a most prosperous 
enterprise in this line of business, showing marked discrimination and 
initiative power. He continued to be identified with this business until 
the time of his death, which occurred on the 11th of May, 1901. From 
1891 to 1894 Mr. Thorp was an incumbent of the responsible office of 
inspector of immigration for North Dakota, having headquarters at 
Pembina, that state, and his work in that department was highly 
commended by the commissioner of immigration. Mr. Thorp at all times 
manifested a lively interest in the public affairs of his town, county 
and state, and his aid and influence were extended in support of all 
measures tending to conserve progress and material prosperity. He was a 
stalwart and zealous adherent of the Republican party and was an 
influential factor in its councils in South Dakota, representing his 
county repeatedly in both territorial and state conventions and having 
done much to promote the party cause. He will be remembered as one of 
the loyal and progressive citizens who were influential in molding 
public opinion and directing civic affairs in the state during its 
infancy. His death was deeply deplored by public men throughout the 
commonwealth, while his loss was felt as a personal bereavement by the 
wide circle of loyal friends whom he had gathered about him. Mrs. Thorp 
became associated with her husband in the real-estate business and after 
his death continued the enterprise with marked success, largely 
extending its ramifications during the years 1901-2, when there was 
marked activity in transaction in realty. She still controls a 
satisfactory and profitable enterprise and is recognized as a woman of 
exceptional executive ability and mature judgment. She retains her home 
in Britton, where her circle of friends is coincident with that of her 
acquaintances. 

	On the 24th of September, 1876, Mr. Thorp was united in marriage 
to Miss Chestina S. Greene, who was born in Oxford, Maine, on the 13th 
of May, 1849, being a daughter of Jonas and Louisa Greene. Her father 
was a man of prominence in the old Pine Tree commonwealth, and served 
for several terms as a member of the state senate. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp 
became the parents of one son, Walton W., who was graduated in the law 
department of the University of Minnesota, as a member of the class of 
1904. He is at present adjutant, with rank of lieutenant, of the First 
Battalion, Third Regiment, South Dakota National Guards.