JAMES ADDISON THROOP The modern newspaper demands both business skill and intellectual ability in its management. Especially is this true of those publications that are somewhat metropolitan in their character, and undertake to enforce ideas and advance policies as well as to disseminate the news. The editorial profession is a field where character, ability, and integrity are factors of success in no small degree; and he who occupies the editorial chair largely sways the destiny of the country. And while it is true he may not far outrun public opinion, still he leads. Day after day, and week after week, he leads, exhorts and entreats, and gradually the people follow him. They respect his moral character, yield to his fervid appeals, and adopt his opinions as their own. A striking illustration of the editor at his best estate is presented in the life history and personal character of the man whose name introduces this article. Mr. Throop, who was until very recently the owner and editor of the Mount Pleasant Free Press, enjoys more than a local reputation as a master of the editorial art. His thought is clear and deep, his style modeled upon the masters, and admirably calculated to impress his readers, while his English is pure and simple. He has taken a very high rank in his chosen profession and is popular in the community. James Addison Throop was born in Madison county, New York. December 7. 1835. He can trace his ancestry back not only to men who won prominence and renown during the Revolution and during the earlier colonial days, but also to men of the nobility and makers of history in England. The original family name was not Throop, but Scrope. the family in earlier times holding a barony. The coat of arms of the ancient house was as follows: The crest, a naked arm grasping a coiled serpent, on a shield of red and silver. The baronies of Scrope became extinct in 1630. The beginnings of the family in America date back to the year 1660. In that year Adrian Scrope, son of Adrian Scrope, the regicide, who was executed at Charing Cross in 1660, fled to Hartford, Connecticut, where he changed his name to William Throop. Later he removed to Barnstable, and in 1680, to Bristol, Rhode Island. He had a wife and five children. One of his sons was named William Throop, and he was the father of Dan Throop, to whom, by his wife Deborah, was born William Throop, the third of the name. This William married Susannah Carey, and they had a son Dan, who won honor in the Revolutionary war. He held a commission as captain of light horse under Elijah Hyde. A significant detail that throws light on one of the family traits of these Throops of the early days is a proverb that was current in Lebanon, Connecticut. Where several members of the family lived. It was, "You may lead a Throop with a twine thread, but you can never drive one." Dan Throop, of Revolutionary fame, married Rachel Terry, and they had a son Dan, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in 1777. His son, George A., father of James A. Throop, whose life record we are presenting, lived in New York when James A. was born, but spent the later years of his life in Chicago, where he was engaged in the lumber business until the time of his death, in 1849. His wife was Deborah Goldsmith. In the maternal line, Mr. Throop's ancestors were Scotch and English. His mother, Deborah (Goldsmith) Throop, was the daughter of Richard G. and Ruth (Miner) Goldsmith. Richard Goldsmith was the son of John and Deborah (Terry) Goldsmith. Mr. Throop. enjoyed educational advantages that were exceptional in that day, and that are far above those given to the majority of men today. He received his education at Hamilton. New York, first in the Hamilton Academy, then completing' his work in Madison University at that place. On completing his education, he came west, going in 1855 to Galesburg, Illinois, where he went into business for one year. In 1856 he came to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and spent the next six years with Cole Brothers, selling lightning rods and pumps. At the end of this period he went into business for himself, worked for the following seven years at the same business, adding to it a retail and later a wholesale hardware business. In 1872 he. in company with Edwin Van Cise, purchased from Dr. D. Robinson the plant of the Free Press, of Mount Pleasant, Mr. Van Cise surrendering his interest five years later. From 1877 Mr. Throop has been the sole proprietor and most of that time the editor of the Free Press. During this period the paper expanded under his very capable management into a very extensive business, becoming one of the influential publications of the state, its editorials freely quoted on all matters of general interest. This was the only democratic paper in Henry county, and although the county is largely republican, this paper became a great power in a political way, the result being that, thanks to its influence, the democracy frequently elected its candidates. In this connection his services have been very valuable throughout the state, and the loyal workers of the party have everywhere been glad to meet and know this capable exponent of Jeffersonian democracy. In August, 1905, Mr. Throop sold the Free Press to C. S. Rogers and Milo Huston, proprietors of the Mount Pleasant Evening News and the Daily Journal. For some years prior to his giving up his ownership of the Pre Press. Mr. Throop had the honor of being the oldest editor in Henry county, and one of the oldest in the state. His brothers in newspaper work over the state learned with regret of his determination to leave the ranks of the active workers, for the excellence of his work and the power of his influence was a constant incentive to greater endeavor, while the business ability which he manifested and which brought about the upbuilding of his paper to the high standard that it reached under his efficient management won for him the respect and admiration of business men throughout the state. On April 7, 1858, Mr. Throop was united in marriage to Miss Rowena Beebe, daughter of Joseph Ledyard and Betsy Beebe. To this union have been born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom four sons and the daughter are living. The oldest son, Joseph Curtis, born December 24, 1858, lives in ]Muskogee, Indian Territory, where he is engaged in the newspaper business. He married Miss Mary Wait, of Missouri, and has two children, Mattie and Edith. Horace Leander Throop, the fourth child in point of birth, born February 5, 1865, has been very successful as proprietor of a newspaper and a newspaper worker at Kewanee, Illinois. He married Miss Luella Doolittle, by whom he has two children, Rowena and Max. Thomas Dwight, bom February 2, 1870, is engaged in agriculture near Billings, Montana. His wife was Miss Cora Doolittle, and they have been the parents of five children, of whom four are living, as follows: Jessie, Miriam. Miles and Cordelia. Addison James, born June i6, 1876, is in the printing business in East St. Louis, Illinois. He married Miss Neva Strain, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and is the father of one daughter, Catherine Elizabeth. The daughter, Bessie Cordelia, born July 15, 1878, makes her home with her parents at the home in Mount Pleasant. The children who died in childhood are: Walter Beebe, born December 15, 1860, died at the age of twenty months; Dan Clinton, born December 16, 1862, died October 11, 1864; Jesse Nelson, born August 6, 1867, died October 31, 1871. Mr. Throop is a believer in the principles and doctrines of the Universalist church, with which denomination he has been affiliated since coming west in his early manhood. He has always taken a very active part in the work of the church, supporting it in its benevolences and other financial undertakings, and serving as the need called him in various church offices. He has always taught in the Sunday school, having been the teacher of the Bible class for a number of years. He has held a number of offices in the church organization, and is now treasurer. His influence has always been on the side of right in all questions affecting the public welfare, and the example of his daily life has been such as to spread abroad the influence of his church. In former years Mr. Throop took an active part in the fraternal life of the community, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and various temperance lodges, but during the later years of his life he has dropped all these interests. In political life his work was mostly done through the columns of his paper, by means of which he became a leader whose influence throughout the state cannot be estimated. This work occupied his time so completely that he felt that he could not give up the time to holding public office on his own account, but preferred to wield the influence of the pen. However, in the interests of good government for his home town, he did consent to serve on the city council for some time, and was also an active and spirited member of the city school board for many years. Mr. Throop has made a close study of all of the public questions which have agitated the nation during the past half century, and in addition has given much thought and effort to the upbuilding of his own immediate community. Every enterprise of which he has had the management has been conducted with care, fidelity and marked business ability, combined with the most scrupulous rectitude, and the success which he has achieved is the result of a rare union of qualities. His position has always been that of a leader, for which he is preeminently fitted by nature, and in all affairs affecting the public welfare his upright and honorable course has made him many friends and admirers, who will, without doubt, be interested in this modest review of his career. ©2009 Genealogy Trails