We regret that space forbids a more extended and minute account of the career of the estimable gentleman and worthy pioneer that has been named at the beginning of this article, but we desire to especially mention that in capabilities he stands among the leading men of the county, while his endeavors have always been attended with energy and skill and also it is becoming to here state that when the demon of fratricidal strife had rented the fair land in twain and our banner of liberty’s throne was trailing in the dust our subject was one of the noble sons of Columbia who quickly stepped to the front and fought back the minions of Rebellion until the last gun was silenced and the last enemy had bowed.
On June 10, 1841, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thomas M. was born to Thomas and Sarah Lathrope. He remained at home and received training in the public schools, and when fourteen years of age went with his parents to Linn County, Kansas, remaining there until the Civil war broke out. He was among the first to offer his services and enlisted in Company K, Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry. He soon was in the heat of battle, participating in the struggle at Cabin creek, besides numerous others, as well as many skirmishes. His service was constant and continued until the close of the war, receiving then an honorable discharge. He returned direct to Linn county, Kansas, and there, two years later, the date being August 18, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lathrope and Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of L.(?) B. And Margaret Fox. Mr. Fox is now living in Coos County, Oregon, having also been a pioneer to this state in 1852. He had the distinction of pitching the first tent in the now thriving town of Lincoln, Nebraska. The daughter referred to above was born in Johnson County, Missouri, on November 8, 1848, and her mother died soon after that date. On April 21, 1873, our subject and his young wife started on the long journey across the plains to Oregon and they continued until they rested in Coos County. Until 1877 that section was their home and then they came to the Grande Ronde valley, making that their abode until 1880. In that year we note that they sought further to the frontier and selected a home place in the territory now embraced in where he now lives, two miles west from Leap, and there began to bestow his labors for development and to make a home in the wilderness. Twenty and more years have rolled by since that time, and the well-improved farm, good residence, large barn and substantial outbuildings with much else, testify strongly of his industry and good practical judgment. In addition Mr. Lathrope has considerable stock, consisting of neat animals and horses.
To our subject and his worthy wife have been born twelve children, as follows: Howard M., deceased: Charles E., deceased: Leslie W.: Grace, wife of Frank Ott, of Enterprise: Thomas F., of Lewiston, Montana: Edith L., wife of Lon E. Dale, of Enterprise: Duane: George H.: Lu Virgil: Sarah V., deceased: Muriel: Itol E. Mr. Lathrope has been road supervisor of his district for six years, and at the present time he is serving as road master of the entire county, which speaks highly of his ability and practical judgment. In all these public capacities, as also in all his life, he has demeaned himself with vigor, intelligence, integrity and becoming sagacity, while his kind and genial nature has won him friends form every station of life.