The subject of this biographical sketch is of pure English lineage. He was born in the seaboard town of Penzance, Cornwall County, England, October 27, 1841. His parents were poor but honorable and industrious citizens, and always on the alert to turn an honest shilling as opportunity offered. In his boyhood, he did not enjoy the advantages which surround the youth of this Republic, nor was he the recipient of the inestimable blessings conferred by our magnificent system of public instruction. Nature, however was generous in giving him a splendid physical organization, ample will power, and an interminable store of energy, which largely compensated for the lack of the advantages named. The family immigrated to this country in 1851 and settled in Vallet Vale, a small manufacturing village near Boston, Mass. After remaining there a short time, the family started West in pursuit of better opportunities: but, when they reached Toledo, they found their means exhausted and their prospects unpromising. Mr. Lathrope and his father were both accomplished musicians, and in this emergency music not only possessed it ancient charms but proved a very present help in time of need. Mr. Lathrope and his father secured passage for the family on a canal boat from Toledo to La Fayette by agreeing to enliven the weary hours of travel by an abundance of music. Arriving at La Fayette, the father and son engaged as laborers on the Wabash Railway, then under construction, the father as shoveler, the subject of our sketch as cart-boy. After a short time of service, enough was saved to enable the family to return to Americus, a thriving village at that time, on the canal, seven miles west Delphi, where they entered the employ of John Dehner, who at that time did a lucrative business in buying and packing pork. Two years were passed in his service, after which they rented a farm of the late Dr. Anthony Garrett, and during the first year, they have an exhibition of their strength and industry by clearing twenty acres of ground. Thence the family came to Delphi, rented a farm of Vine Holt, Esq., and cleared another twenty acres of the ancient woodland. Thence they moved to the old Dehner farm on Wild Cat, where they continued to farm until 1858, when they moved to this city, permanently located and became engaged in business.

From this time the sketch of Mr. Lathrope in respect to the family is separable and individual. At the breaking out of the war, he promptly entered the service, and was mustered in a t La Porte, Ind., August 27, 1861, as leader of the regimental band of the Ninth Indiana Volunteers. Soon thereafter, the regiment was ordered into service in Western Virginia, reporting for duty at Camp Elk Water: thence to Cheat Mountain. The command participated in the engagements at Greenbrier and at Buffalo Mountain. At the latter engagements, Mr. Lathrope was serving in the capacity of Bugler, and had received orders from Col. Moody, of his regiment, to go back along the line and give the "retreat call." In passing back, he was confronted by Maj. J. B. Milroy, who demanded to know where he was going. Mr. Lathrope informed him of the orders received, whereupon the Major assured him that if he sounded the call he would shoot him on the spot. Mr. Lathrope solemnly assured his biographer that the "retreat call" was not sounded. From Virginia the regiment was sent to the Department of the Cumberland participating in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 1862, and was present at the evacuation of Corinth. In pursuance of the order of the War Department, the band was mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn., in August, 1862. Mr. Lathrope then returned to Delphi and resumed business. He has conducted a prosperous business, and has at all times manifested a liberal spirit in his business relations and with reference to public affairs. He served during four consecutive terms in the City Council, and rendered valuable service to the city while acting in that capacity. In 1880, he was honored with the nomination for Treasurer of the county by the Republican party, but failed of an election by reason of the decisive minority of his party. It is proper to say, however, that he developed great strength, and made a race highly creditable to himself and friends, even though ending in defeat.

Being a man of naturally generous impulses, he was irresistibly carried into and became a moving spirit in the benevolent institutions of the day. The following is a record of his connection with the benevolent orders.

Masonic -- Admitted March 27, 1873, to Mount Olive Lodge No. 48: January 1876, to Delphi Chapter No. 21, Royal Arch Masons: April 4, 1876 to La Fayette Commandery Knights Templar: March 26, 1878, to the Indiana Consistory of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he has advanced to and including the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Rose Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, No. 36.

I.O.O.F. – Admitted June 9, 1873 to Delphi Lodge, No. 28,: September 5, 1873, to Carroll Encampment, No. 22. He is also an active member of Adina Lodge No. 79, D. of R.

He was a chapter member of Delphi Lodge, No. 80. Knights of Pythias, instituted April 3, 1879: held membership in the Improved Order of Red Men in the lodge of La Fayette, and was a charter member of Boothroyd Post, No. 31, G.A.R., instituted in this city July 6, 1881. In all these orders, he has been honored with high official rank, and has represented the two former orders in the State Grand Lodges, with credit to himself and those he represented.

March 19, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline C. Assion, only daughter of the late Joseph Assion. Mr. Lathrope’s career has been a somewhat eventful one, but he has always made the most of his opportunities. He has been successful and enjoys the high esteem of his fellow citizens.

In would hardly be just to close this sketch without especial reference to the high attainment of Mr. Lathrope as a musician. His favorite instrument is the cornet. Although he has pursued music simply as a recreation from the more arduous duties of business, he has achieved almost a national reputation as a cornet player. He has been almost continuously a leader of a band for thirty years and has at different times been honored with invitations from abroad to play at highly artistic entertainments and to act in the capacity of judge in musical contests where the best talent of the West was employed. The name of Mr. Lathrope is a familiar and honored one in musical circles, and will so continue for many years to come.

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net