John Houston Thorpe (October 2, 1840 - February 22, 1932) was born in North Carolina. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina and during his lifetime held such occupations as teacher, lawyer, farmer, NC state senator in 1887 and Confederate soldier. On April 18, 1861, he enlisted as a Private in Company A of the 1st North Carolina Volunteers at Tarboro, NC and was quickly promoted to the rank of corporal. The 1st Volunteers was only a six-month regiment, and on March 1, 1862, Thorpe reenlisted in Nashville, North Carolina and was commissioned an officer in Company A of the 47th North Carolina. He was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain on June 25, 1862 after the death of Captain John W. Bryant. He held this position for the remainder of the war, surrendering at Ap