Thornburg, Ephraim 1802 – 1893

THORNBURG, EDMONDSON, CLEMMER, DUNN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/10/2015 at 08:31:40

Iowa Plain Dealer April 27, 1893, P5 C4

DIED.

THORNBURG—At the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Dr. J. J. Clemmer, on Monday morning, April 17, 1893, at 8 o’clock, Mr. Ephraim Thornburg.

The deceased at his death was the oldest citizen of Howard county, being in his 91st year. He was born September 30, 1802, at Triadelphia, in what is now West Virginia. Owing to depredations by the Indians the settlers had gathered in a fort, and amid such warlike surroundings he he{sic} first saw the light. He was married at LeRoy, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1831, to Frances Edmondson. Moving to Ohio and thence to Wisconsin, they came to Howard county, Iowa, in the fall of 1855, settling on a farm, now belonging to Dr. Clemmer, three miles northeast of Cresco. He afterwards moved with his wife to Cresco, living in their own house, until, owing to increasing infirmities, they took up their home with their daughter. Two years ago this fall his wife died, and he has since been patiently awaiting his own expected summons, which he felt could not be far distant. He had been growing constantly feeble during the past few years, latterly not being able to be about town. Yet he was still able to be about the house, spending much of his time in reading, without spectacles, his second sight having come to him. He was able to go to the polls on the November election. About two weeks ago he took to his bed, feeling that the time of his departure was at hand. During the remaining days, he was entirely without appetite and took no food, though able to drink water. During most of his final sickness his sufferings were intense, but he bore them with unequaled patience. When the long-looked for summons came, he quietly breathed his last, his daughter thinking he had merely fallen asleep.

The deceased was one of the original members of the Congregational church, which was first organized at Vernon Springs, Sept. 1856,--the first church organization in Howard county, and was one of the first deacons, holding that office until his increasing years prevented him performing its duties. He was always deeply interested in the prosperity of the church, and his hospitality was always extended to the ministers of the gospel. He was an earnest, faithful, gentle-hearted Christian, universally esteemed by all who knew him. “His works do follow him.”

Of his five children, three sons and two daughters, only Mrs. Dunn, of Nebraska, who visited him last fall, and Mrs. Clemmer survive him.

--Republican.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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