Individual Details

History of Marshall County, Sesquicentennial 1836-1996
Page 231

Martha E. Tharp Johnson writes of her grandparents:

......My parents were Marvin R. and Mary I. Spencer Tharp of Bourbon where I was born in 1918. My paternal grandfather, George W., was a veteran of the Civil War serving in the First Regiment, Ohio Cavalry under Captain Joseph Reynolds, and later with General Sherman on their historic "march to the sea." My grandfather was of German descent and grandmother, Mary E., was Pennsylvania Dutch, descending from the Hover-Van Ness families. They were pioneers in Bourbon Township, settling on farm land north of Bourbon. My grandmother told of seeing black panthers in that area when they moved there......


Obituary of George W. Tharp
Bourbon News Mirror
August 3, 1922

After months of sickness, Comrade George Tharp died at his home in this place last Friday and the funeral services were held at his old home church, Fairview, which is but a stone's throw from his old home, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. There was a great concourse of friends in attendance at the services, which were conducted by Rev. Hively of Bremen, assisted by Rev. Hill of this place. The floral offerings were most beautiful and the respect shown the memory of the deceased by the old and young friends of the splendid man was very marked. The following obituary was read at the funeral services:

George W., son of John and Elizabeth Tharp, was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, August 2, 1843; and peacefully went to sleep at his home in Bourbon Indiana, at the close of the 22d day of July, 1922, at the age of 78 years, 11 months and 25 days.

He was the last of a family of eight children. His mother died at his birth. When a small boy he came with his father and three brothers to Indiana locating on a farm north of Bourbon. When he was 11 years of age his father died. He soon returned to his relatives in Ohio where he grew to manhood. At the age of 18 years, when this nation was engaged in a struggle for liberty and freedom, he answered the call of his country, enlisting in the Union Army, on the 19th day of February, 1864, serving until the close of the war, being a member of Co. M, 1st Ohio Cavalry. He was honorably discharged at Hilton Head, South Carolina, September 13, 1865.

After spending a few months in Ohio, after returning from the war, he again came to Indiana and purchased the Tharp estate, which he continued to own until the time of his death.

He was united in marriage to Mary E. Hover, June 6, 1867, and five children were given them; three daughters, Ida, Jane, Dean, and two sons, Newton and Marvin, all of whom survive Fifty-one years of his married life was spent on the old home farm, where he and his companion labored hard and patiently to clear the land which was almost completely covered with timber, and to make for themselves a home. In 1919 he left the farm and came to Bourbon, where he resided until the time of his death. By far the most important event in his life occurred 43 years ago when he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and was converted at an altar of prayer, under the pastorate of Rev. J.A. Farmer. Since that time he has lived a consistent, Christian life. It can be truthfully said of him that he was a faithful desciple of his Lord, always manifesting a great interest in the church and the Kingdom of Christ.

In 1881 he and Grandpa Hanes, with the help of a few Christian people, organized and built the Fairview church, of which he was a charter member at the time of his death. He served his church in many official ways and was greatly missed by the church and community when failing health compelled him to remain at home. He was a good neighbor and respected citizen. As a father and husband he was all that could be hoped for. He had been in failing health for four years but his last sickness was of but four weeks duration. Although suffering intense pains, at times, he bore his afflictions patiently. Just a few days before his death he earnestly prayed for his children and the church and testified to the goddness of God, and often expressed his desire to go Home. Besides his companion he leaves an aged brother, who is 81 years of age; also five children, 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as a number of relatives and friends.

God in His wisdom has recalled
The boon of His love has given,
And though the body molders here
The soul is safe in Heaven.

Birth	2 Aug 1843	Ross County, Ohio
Military	From 19 Feb 1864 to 16 Sep 1865	George's Civil War Pension records describe him as 6'1" with blue eyes and light hair.
Marriage	6 Jun 1867	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana - Mary Ester Hover
Residence	1880	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana
Residence	1900	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana
Residence	1910	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana
Residence	1920	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana
Death	22 Jul 1922	Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana

Spouse	Mary Ester Hover (1851 - 1931)
Child	Ida M. Tharp (1868 - )
Child	Edgar N. Tharp (1873 - )
Child	Alma J. Tharp (1876 - )
Child	Marvin R. Tharp (1892 - )

Father	John S. THARP (1803 - 1854)
Mother	Elizabeth OVERLY (1802 - 1843)
Sibling	Mary Ann Tharp (1827 - 1873)
Sibling	Joseph William THARP (1834 - 1902)
Sibling	Newton Tharp (1838 - 1863)
Sibling	John Overly Tharp (1840 - 1927)