Albert Tharp

A busy, eventful, useful life has been that enjoyed by one of Grand Island's most esteemed citizens, Albert Tharp, who came to Thomas County, Nebraska in 1887, and in 1884 established himself in business in Grand Island. Business success has attended him, and many calls to public office have indicated the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He is an honored veteran of the Civil War, and has served as commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is a member.

Albert Tharp was born in Marion, Marion County, Ohio, April, 22 1843. His parents were John and Margery (McKeever) Tharp, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively.

The father was born February 9, 1808, and died August 27, 1897, in the home of a daughter, at Enid, Oklahoma. The mother passed away October 13, 1874, in Decatur County, Iowa. Of their six children, Albert Tharp is the second of the three survivors, the others being: Martha S., the wife of John Hendrickson, a retired farmer of Denver, Colorado; and Joseph, who conducts a real estate business in Davis City, Iowa. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1846 John Tharp removed with his family from Ohio to Jasper County, Indiana, where he engaged in farming until 1853, when he removed to Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, taking up government land, securing eight hundred acres for $1.25 an acre.

In the district schools in Iowa near his father's farm, Albert Tharp pursued his studies through boyhood. He gave his father assistance on the farm until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During his three years and one month of military life, he participated in many of the great engagements of the war under leadership of many of the noted commanders. Judge Tharp can yet recall Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Mobile, Pensecola [sic], Fort Blakely, Matagora Island and the Red River expedition under General Banks. He served at first as a private but later was promoted to drum major. All of his company in the army died, or were killed except twenty-one. Only that number returned.

At the close of the war Albert Tharp with his brave comrades returned to their homes in Iowa, where he resumed farming in Decatur County. With a quickened perception of public affairs that the war had brought, he realized clearly the duty of public-spirited men to enter into the field of local politics, because politics everywhere was influencing public opinion and government. Having the confidence of his fellow citizens to a marked degree he was elected constable of Decatur County. During the next twelve years he served continuously and efficiently as deputy sheriff, deputy treasurer or chief of police, being elected to all offices on the Republican ticket. Since coming to Grand Island, he has been tendered many public offices and has served as police judge and justice of the peace. In 1887 he went to Thomas County, Nebraska, where he found excellent land and took up a homestead, acquiring two one-quarter sections. He lived on his farm there until 1894, when he removed to Grand Island, and afterward embarked in the real estate business, which, with little interruption, he has carried on ever since.

On July 4, 1867, Mr. Tharp married Miss Ella K. Jenree, who was born in the state of New York. To them seven children have been born: Arthur S., who is engaged in farming near Overton, Nebraska; Izora, the wife of B. I. Mewhirter, who operates a telephone system at Tacoma, Washington; Zella, the wife of M. E. Johnson, for the last twenty-five years a passenger conductor between Edgemont, South Dakota and Alliance, Nebraska; Fred, who is an engineer on the Northern Pacific Railroad; Lou; Ella, the wife of Michael O'Brien, a farmer near Blunt, South Dakota; Floyd, who owns a ranch in Wyoming, has but recently returned from his duties in the navy at Hampton Roads, Virginia; and Hazel J., the wife of Ebert R. Potts, who lives near Wheatland, Wyoming. Mrs. Tharp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. During 1918 Judge and Mrs. Tharp enjoyed a period of travel. They visited all their children and several states. They found all sections possess advantages but none superior to those belonging to Nebraska. Judge Tharp is one of the older members of the lodge of Odd Fellows in Grand Island.

SOURCE: Dale P. Stough & Robert J. Barr, History of Hall County, Nebraska, p. 695 & 697