Bloody Run Historical Society

Mr. Joseph Earlston Thropp was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1847 and died on July 27, 1927 while visiting Quebec, Canada.

Thropp became owner of the Everett Iron Company in 1888.  He renamed the company the Earlston Furnace.  Thropp using his middle name, named the furnace, community, and school in the area near the furnace Earlston.  Thropp also owned quarries near the furnace and coke works in the Saxton and Riddlesburg areas north of Everett.  He also constructed a railroad bridge over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, just west of Everett in the Mt. Dallas gap. Thropp owned nearly 4000 acres of land and 100 homes and buildings in Earlston.  He also owned the U.S. Hotel on West Main Street, Everett. 

The Earlston community basically stretched from the Milk & Water Road to the Black Valley Road and Ashcom Road.  Today, almost all of the riverside area of Everett is called Earlston.

Mr. Thropp was elected to the 56th Congress and serve as Congressman from 1899 to 1901.