The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-04-29
ARTHUR K. THORN.

Arthur X. Thorne, candidate for
the Republican nomination for the State
Senate from this district, is son of
John U. Thorne, one of Clnrksburg's
most highly respected citizens and all
his life an influential member of the
Methodist church and until recently
prominent in the mercantile business, as
well as interested in farming.
Mr.. Thorn, who aspires to the of
flee of State senator, was born in 1864.
He was educated at the Western Aca-
denny, at Clarksburg at wIicn institu-
tion many prominent men of this and
other states received their educational
training and afterwards distinguished
themselves. The early years of his life
were devoted to hard work at any thing
he could find to do, when he was not at
tending school, and at the age of IS
years ne devoted his earnings to more
complete education in college at Pitts
burg, graduating there with high honors
and receiving special diplomas in com
mercial and business courses, his pro-
ticiency being thus properly recognized
by the institution.
Recognizing his worth from the ex-
celIent record made in college, he was
offered position with Joseph Horne &
Company. one of the leading dry good,
firms in Pittsburg, and he soon became
its cashier. Later without solicitation
he was given responsible position by
the Black Diamond Steel Works in the
auditing and accounting department of
that large manufacturing concern, in
which he made rapid advancement ana
in which he had tine most favorable pros
poets of being promoted even to the mead
of the business, but. because of broken
health he was compelled to give mp the
position and then he returned home.
For several years afterwards he was
connected with the Ruhl-Koblegard
wholesale grocery concern, one of the
largest establishments of its kind in
West Virginia and held the place as
long as that company remained in bust
ness.
Mr.. Thorn is an enthusiastic advocate
of cheaper gas and was one of the pro-
motors of the West Fork Oil & Natural
Gas Company, whose policy has been to
furnish gas. both domestic and for manu-
featuring purposes, at the lowest posi-
bic rates, so rs to relieve consumers of
gas from heavy cost and to encourage
industrial activity. Cheaper gas came
with the work of himself and his asso-
ciates in the gas business and with that
came several substantial factories to
Clarksburg. making this section an in
dustrial and commercial center.
But his interest in the public welfare
did not stop there. Cheaper and more
extensive telephone service was recog-
nized rs long left want and Mr.. Thorn
entered into the movement to bring this
about. lie gave his hearty cooperation
to it and promoted the financing of the
undertaking until it was a reality, there
by rendering great public service. The
acumen shown by him rs well as his
worth to the public benefit placed him
high in the esteem of all in telephone
circles and he was sent as a delegate
representing West Virginia to the Nat
ional Association of Independent Tele-
phone Companies, which met ut Cleve-
land. In this large and representative
gathering he originated the consolidated
system of independent lines, which has
proven of such great advantage to the
general public.
"A year ago he was elected member
of the city council of Clarlsburg and be-
came at once recognized leader in that
body, especially as to placing the affairs
of that Office on a business basis. It
was he who introduced into that body a
perfect system of bookkeeping and max
ing modern the books Of the city. In