Newton Tharp

Mount Pleasant, 1867 - 1909, New York

BiographyProfessional History
Draftsman, Kysor, Morgan and Walls, Architects, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1888; this office was located at 36 1/2 South Spring Street in 1888. In 1890, the Los Angeles City Directory indicated that Tharp had become a designer for the Kysor, Morgan and Walls firm. Designer, Edward R. Swain, Architect, San Francisco, CA, c. 1897; Partner, Tharp and Holmes, Architects, San Francisco, CA, c. 1900; City Architect, City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 10/1907-1909. In honor of his death, flags flew at half staff outside San Francisco government buildings.

In 1904, Tharp was a member of the advisory committee to the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art, San Francisco, CA. At this time, the Hopkins Institute was affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley.

Education
According to his obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle, Tharp went to Chicago, IL, to study. Coursework, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France, two years;

Personal
Newton Tharp was born in Mount Pleasant, IA, on 07/28/1867. Joseph and Amanda Tharp, relocated from OH to IA, before Newton was born, between c. 1862-1865. The family lived from c. 1865-1873 in IA, before coming to CA by c. 1874. By age 12, Newton lived with his family in a residence at 383 F Street, Petaluma, CA; his father, Joseph W. Tharp, was a lumber dealer in Petaluma. His obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle stated: "Newton J. Tharp was born in Petaluma 42 years ago, and was one of eight children. He spent his early years in that town, and was a playmate of Luther Burbank, the renowned scientist. During his youth he went to Chicago, where he took up the study of architecture and painting. Later he went to Paris, where he attended the institute of Beaux Arts. Having traveled in Europe for two years he returned to the United States and practiced his profession as an architect in New York and Chicago, but decided to settle in San Francisco in 1889." (See "Tharp--Sudden Death of City's Architect: Newton J. Tharp Succumbs After Brief Illness While in New York City.," San Francisco Chronicle, 05/13/1909) This account did not get Tharp's place of birth correct, nor did it mention his time spent in Los Angeles, CA, c. 1888. In 1892, Tharp lived at 1408 Van Ness Avenue, Apartment B, in San Francisco, CA, and at 825 Green Street, San Francisco, four years later. Newton and Laura lived with their son, Laurance, in a residence at 1600 Lyon Street, San Francisco, in 1900; the family had prospered enough to retain a servant, Emma E. Tuttle (born 10/1880 in WA). At his death, his family continued to live at 1600 Lyon Street.

His father was Joseph W. Tharp (born c. 1835 in OH), who worked in 1870 as a nurseryman, and as "dealer in wood" ten years later. His mother, Amanda (born c. 1841 in OH), kept house. Joseph and Amanda had six children, according to the 1880 US Census; they included Arthur C. (born c. 1860 in OH), Carl C. (born c. 1864 in IA), Newton, Martha (born c. 1867 in IA), Charles J. (born c. 1872 in IA) and Alice M. Tharp (born c. 1875 in CA). In 1880, Arthur worked as a lumberman. The 1870 US Census also noted another son, Wallace (born c. 1872 in OH), who was not listed in the 1880 document.

Newton Tharp married Laura Hanna Tharp (born c. 11/1874 in Alameda County, CA-d. 01/19/1952) on 06/08/1892 in Los Angeles, CA, in 06/1892. Her father was John Hanna (born in OH) and mother, Martha Warren (born in NH). She died in San Francisco, CA, where she had lived for 50 years. She had a sister, Mrs. Searle M. Wren, who in 1952, lived in Pasadena, CA. The Los Angeles Times described Tharp's wedding in its 06/09/1892 issue: "Another wedding occurred yesterday morning at 11:30 at the home of the bride's parents, No. 355 Buena Vista street, when Miss Laura W. Hanna of this city and Newton J. Tharp of San Francisco were united in marriage by Rev. George F. Bugbee, rector of St. Paul's. The wedding was entirely private, only the family being present. Both bride and groom were members of the Oxymel Club, Mr. Tharp having formerly resided here, and have a large circle of friends in this city. They left on the afternoon train for Santa Barbara, where they will spend a few days before going on to San Francisco, their future home." (See "In Social Spheres: Tharp-Hanna," Los Angeles Times, 06/09/1892, p. 10.)

Newton and Laura Tharp had one son, Laurence Hanna Tharp (born 07/27/1895 in San Francisco, CA-died 12/09/1967, in Redding, CA).

Tharp applied for a US Passport on 02/12/1897, for a trip that was to take place during 1898. The San Francisco architect Edward R. Swain (d. 04/10/1902) served as a witness for Tharp during his passport application. In 1897, Tharp stood 6 feet 1 and a half inches tall, had dark gray eyes, a fair complexion and a somewhat thin face. He died of pneumonia while visiting New York, NY, at the Knickerbocker Hotel. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors dispatched Tharp to review current trends in hospital design on the East Coast, when he became ill. After his death, Loring P. Rixford, formerly a Supervisor on the Board, was appointed City Architect. Member, Bohemian Club, San Francisco, CA; he was known as a "prince of good fellows" in the influential Bohemian Club.

From http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/819/], accessed 09/23/2021

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Last Updated8/7/24

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