John Thatcher was born in Pennsylvania and worked as a school teacher there before being lured by the excitement of the West. He moved first to Missouri where he worked as a store clerk for five years and then to Denver before opening his general store in Pueblo in 1863. Three years later he was joined by his brother Mahlon who entered into partnership with him. In 1870 the brothers organized a private bank which they later converted into the First National Bank of Pueblo. Thatcher made extensive investments in real estate, ranking for many years as one of the largest taxpayers of Pueblo. He also kept huge herds of cattle on vast ranches in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Thatcher was devoted to his family and built what is perhaps the most beautiful residence in Pueblo, occupying an entire city block, Mrs. Thatcher giving to the place the name of Rosemount. He passed away in 1913, after a residence of more than a half century in Colorado.
Most of the information to create this series came from the following three books: Pueblo, an Illustrated History by Eleanor Fry & Ione Miller. 2001. Heritage Media Corp. Carlsbad, CA Pueblo, a Pictorial History by Joanne West Dodds. 1982. The Donning Company/Publishers. Norfolk, VA They All Came to Pueblo: a Social History by Joanne West Dodds. 1994. The Donning Company/Publishers. Virginia Beach, VA
Supplemented by various internet sources.