Joseph Gilbert Thorp (April 28, 1812 – January 13, 1895) was a millionaire lumber baron and a member of the Wisconsin State Senate.

Thorp was born on April 28, 1812, in Butternuts, New York.

[1] Later, he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

[2] The daughter of Joseph G. and Susan Amelia Thorp, Sara Chapman Bull, was married to the world-famous violinist Ole Bull in a lavish wedding in his Madison mansion.

[2] His son, Joseph G. Thorp Jr., was married to a daughter of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.