Nancy Thorn 1844-1908

THORN, GULD

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 9/23/2015 at 08:36:14

Humboldt Independent - April 16, 1908 – Nancy J. Guld was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania April 11, 1844. She was twice married. Her first husband served all through the Civil War. By him she had two children, one dying in infancy. The other grew to manhood.

She was married to J.B. Thorn February 22, 1866. As Mrs. Thorn she bore ten children, eight of whom are now living.

Mr. and Mrs. Thorn came west, from Pennsylvania about forty years ago. They came first to Kossuth County, Iowa. They moved to Humboldt County in 1868 and to the town of Humboldt in 1873. Mrs. Thorn had been out of health for a number of years and for the past three years her family had despaired of her life. Death, which came April 6, was a release to this patient sufferer.

The funeral was held April 9, from the neat little home where this good mother had lived and toiled for her family so many years. Rev. Stafford of the Methodist church conducted the services. The sons and daughters, with the exception of Robert, who lives in Kansas, were all at home to attend the funeral. These devoted children brought beautiful flowers for the last service as did other friends and neighbors.

This brave, good mother knew the hardships of frontier life. The writer has known this woman for twenty five years. I well remember when the children were all at home. In some unaccountable way she kept her little home and her large family neat and clean and sent her children to school and at the same time took in work for others that she might assist in the family support. Her little home was her world but her life was large.

When her health began to fail and she had to give up hard work, her hands continued busy with sewing and knitting for her children and grandchildren. When she knew her that her days were numbered she thought only of others and made all arrangements for putting the business affairs of her family in order. She had been a devoted Methodist, for a good many years. Her life was one of sacrifice and service. The memory of such a wife and mother must be indeed an inspiration to the husband and eight children who mourn her loss.