Wharton, Thomas Kelah, 1814-1862

Landscape painter, lithographer.

From the description of Thomas Kelah Wharton journal, 1830-1834. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79052916

Thomas Kelah Wharton (1814-1862), architect, was superintendent of construction of the Customs House in New Orleans, La.

From the description of Thomas Kelah Wharton diaries and sketchbook, 1830-1862. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122576020

From the guide to the Thomas Kelah Wharton diaries and sketchbook, 1830-1862, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Thomas Kelah Wharton was born in Hull, England, in 1814 and emigrated to the U.S. in 1829, settling in Piqua, Oh., where his father had acquired a farm. After studying architecture in New York City under Martin E. Thompson, Wharton taught drawing and design at Rev. William A.Muhlenberg's Institute (later St. Paul's College) at Flushing, Long Island. He later started a school with Rev. Francis L. Hawks in Holly Springs, Miss. Following marriage to the daughter of Judge Huling of Holly Springs, Wharton moved to New Orleans, La., where he worked as an architect, designing Christ Church and Steel Chapel. After his first wife's death, Wharton married Emily J. Ladd, daughter of a New Hampshire couple who had relocated to New Orleans. Wharton was associated with the construction of the New Orleans custom house and served as secretary of the board of custom house commissioners, working under the direction of Major Pierre G. T. Beauregard. He died in 1862, shortly after construction on the custom house ceased due to the outbreak of the Civil War.

From the description of Thomas K. Wharton diary, 1853-1862. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 179890608