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History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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Alexander Tharp.

Since 1901 Alexander Tharp has lived in Adair county, his home being situated in Eureka township.  He was born in Morgan county, Indiana, April 3, 1862, a son of Robert and Mary Jane (Hutcheson) Tharp.  His father was a native of Martin county, Indiana, and was of English descent.  The mother was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and was a representative of one of the old American families.  The year 1866 witnessed their arrival in Iowa, at which time they took up their abode in Guthrie county, eighteen miles north of the present home of Alexander Tharp.  The father cultivated a rented farm for a time and afterward purchased property upon which he still resides.  His wife, however, has passed away, her death occurring on the old homestead, on the 29th of January, 1914.

The usual experiences of the farm lad fell to the lot of Alexander Tharp, who in his youthful days attended the public schools and in the periods of vacation worked in the fields, gaining intimate knowledge of all lines of farm work.  When nineteen years of age he began work as a farm hand and was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he was married and began farming on his own account, cultivating rented land for four or five years.  This was in Guthrie county.  It was his hope to own property some day and he bent his energies to gaining a sum sufficient to enable him to carry out this purpose.  Ultimately he purchased a farm on which he lived for twelve years, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Adair county, where he took up his abode in 1901, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Eureka township.  Later he bought forty acres on the west side of the road, so that he now owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land that responds readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it.  He annually harvests good crops, for he utilizes practical and progressive methods in cultivating his fields and he also raises good grades of cattle and hogs, making a specialty of Herefords and Duroc-Jerseys.  He raises mainly corn, although he also cultivates other cereals.

On the 5th of January, 1887, Mr. Tharp was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Boblett, who died on the 22d of May, 1889, leaving a son, Robert J., who was born December 2, 1888, and is now a farmer of Eureka township.  He married Edith Moore and they have one child, Helen, who was born October 16, 1912.  On the 9th of March, 1891, Mr. Tharp was again married, his second union being with Miss Jane M. Boblett, a sister of his former wife.  She passed away August 15, 1892, and on the 21st of June, 1896, Mr. Tharp wedded Miss Ida A. Hemphill, of Prussia township, a daughter of James and Ellen Hemphill.  They have two children:  Glen A., who was born February 12, 1898, and is now upon the home the home farm; and Verva May, who was born July 26, 1903.

The parents are members of the United Brethren church and their religious belief is a strong feature in shaping their lives.  In his political views Mr. Tharp is a republican and is conversant with the leading points and issues which divide the two great parties.  He has filled the office of township trustee of Eureka township, being called to that position by appointment.  He served for a half term in that way and was then elected for two terms, at the end of which time he refused to continue longer in that position.  He has served on the board of directors of the school district and as president of the township board.  He is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship and gives active aid and support to many measures which are instituted for the benefit and welfare of the community.

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