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1907 Past and Present Biographies

J. W. Thornburgh

J. W. Thornburgh is the owner of a fine farm property comprising three hundred and eighty acres of rich land on section 24, Franklin township. He was born in this county, January 10, 1859, a son of Joel N. Thornburgh, who was a native of Tennessee, but in 1853 came to Iowa, settling in Greene county. He established his home in Hardin township, where he lived for some time, but his last days were spent at Woodward, Iowa. His wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca Ogle.

J. W. Thornburgh of this review attended the district schools in his boyhood days and therein mastered the common branches of Englisli learning, becoming thus well qualified for life's practical duties. He worked upon the home farm in his youth, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Until twenty-two years of age he remained at home and then started out in life On his own account. As the years have gone by he has prospered and he is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of arable and productive land on section 24, Franklin township. The farm presents a very attractive appearance because of the care and labor which he bestows upon it and annually he harvests good crops as a reward for his industry and diligence.

In 1882 Mr. Thornburgh was united in marriage to Miss Mary Emma Lee, a resident of Greene county, and unto them have been born four children: Clyde; William, deceased; Ethel, the wife of Wesley Ure, of Franklin township; and Wayne, yet at home. The parents are much esteemed in the community where they live, their many excellent traits of charactcer gaining for them a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Thornburgh exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of democracy, but has never sought or desired political oflice for himself. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Jamaica, Iowa, and his wife holds membership in the United Brethren church. He has spent his entire life in Greene county and the fact that many of those who have known him from boyhood entertain for him warm and unqualified regard is an indication that his has been an honorable career.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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