THRASH, Samuel - 1890 Bio (1816-1899)

THRASH, LESTER, THORNTON, HAWLEY, WILSON, FRITZ, ILGINFRITZ, ZEIGLER, MCCONLY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/2/2007 at 20:41:40

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 567-568

Samuel THRASH, who is the owner of a good farm of two hundred and twenty-nine acres on section 29, Fairfield Township, settled in Jefferson County, in April, 1839. Few of the settlers of that day are left to tell the story of life on the frontier, many having removed to other States while some have gone to that land whence no traveler returns. Year by year has brought changes until in the Jefferson County of to-day one would scarcely recognize the almost uninhabited prairies of fifty years ago. In the work of progress and advancement, in the transforming of the wild lands into rich and fertile farms, in the promotion of such enterprises as are calculated to benefit the community, Mr. THRASH has ever borne his part and will be remembered as one of the founders of the county long after he shall have passed away.

In Montgomery County, Va., on the 30th of January, 1816, he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his parents being William and Catherine (LESTER) THRASH, both of whom were native Virginians. The family were among the early settlers of the old Dominion and was of German origin. The great-grandfather of our subject returned to Germany for his inheritance but was lost when again crossing the Atlantic to America. One the maternal side, Mr. THRASH is of English descent. In 1818 the family removed to Dearborn County, Ind., and in the common schools of that State, Samuel received his education. He was reared to farm life and since attaining to manhood has made farming his occupation. The year 1836 witnessed the removal of the family to Knox County, Ill., and in the fall of 1837, he accompanied his father to Henry County, Iowa, where claims were located. Later the family became residents of Mahaska County, this State, where Mr. THRASH Sr. departed this life, on the 3d of September, 1853, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife died in Henry County, July 11, 1850, in the fifty-seventh year of her age.

In the month of February, 1839, history chronicles the advent of Samuel THRASH in Jefferson County, Iowa, where he made a claim constituting what is now known as the Zeigler place, in Fairfield Township. Having thus made some preparation for a home he returned to Henry County, and on the 31st of March, 1839, was united in marriage with Jane THORNTON and in April made a permanent location in this community. Later, selling his claim, in the fall of 1843 he purchased a farm which has now for forty-seven years continued to be his home. Prosperity has attended his efforts, success has crowned his labors and in addition to worldly gifts the home was blessed with the presence of ten children, but only four grew to mature years. The mother, whose maiden name, as before stated, was Jane THORNTON, was born in Jackson County, Tenn., January 31, 1818, and she is a daughter of Felix and Lecy (HAWLEY) THORNTON, who were born and reared in North Carolina. In 1838, she accompanied her sister and her husband to Iowa and remained in Henry County until her marriage. The children born of this union who lived to adult age are John F., who wedded Jane WILSON and is living in Southern Kansas; Catherine, wife of Ilgin FRITZ (sic - Mr. ILGINFRITZ) of Kirksville, Adair County, Mo.; Eliza, wife of Samuel ZEIGLER of Fairfield; and S. Douglas, who married Annie McCONLY, and is a resident of Louisiana. The eldest of the family, William F., was born January 3, 1840, and died from a snake bite July 7, 1845; John F. was born November 11, 1841; Sarah Catherine was born April 6, 1843; Jackson, born November 13, 1844, died August 13, 1848; Harriet, born May 31, 1846, died August 10, 1848; Eliza was born February 5, 1848; George, born April 9, 1850, died December 17, 1853; Maria, born April 27, 1852, died October 1, 1856; Martha, born April 13, 1854, died when only a few hours old; S. Douglas, who completes the family was born on the 9th of April, 1861.

In political sentiment, Mr. THRASH is a Democrat and has held a number of township offices. He has now been a resident of Jefferson County for the long period of fifty-one years. On his arrival the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers and he and his wife endured many of the privations incident to frontier life. However, they overcame all obstacles which they encountered and Mr. THRASH is now a fair representative of the successful pioneer. Large hearted and true as steel, he has won hosts of friends and is held in high regard by young and old, rich and poor.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.