James Cass Thornbrugh

THORNBRUGH, FIDDLER, EVANS, EYNON, COOK, WILCOX, COMPTON, CRAWFORD

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 4/4/2006 at 07:17:49

Winterset Madisonian - July 1922

J. C. Thornbrugh was born in Madison county, Iowa, November 20, 1848. His father, James Thornbrugh, came to the county in 1846 and was among the first immigrants to settle in that neighborhood. He is said to have taught the first school in the county, but this may have been a mistake as Mrs. Danforth always claimed to have had that honor and her portrait hangs in the historical rooms representing the first teacher and the honor of being the first has generally been conceed to her. At any rate, Mr. James Thornbrugh was a well educated man for that day and conducted a school in the neighborhood of the old Buffalo Stone school. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Fiddler, was an estimable lady and performed well the duties of a pioneer woman.

They settled about a half mile east of the Buffalo bridge and resided there continually until their death which occurred many years ago. James Cass Thornbrugh, whom everybody knew as Cass, was born, spent the days of childhood, youth and entire manhood on the same claim which his father took, he having lived on the same farm longer than any other person now living or who has lived in Madison county.

He was industrious, honest and of cheerful disposition. He always carried a smile and judging from his demeanor, whenever about town, one would suppose that he was always happy and in friendly relations with all the world, and this was probably the case. He had a brother, Lemuel who until a few years ago, lived in the same neighborhood and was equally well known throughout Scott township and in Winterset. He was somewhat of a musician and with his violin, an inseparable companion, did much to amuse and doubtless----the company who gathered at the pioneer home and in the old log school house, as well as the stone building which stands near the old home.

Cass was married to Miss Emily Evans in March 1875. She was a sister of Henry Evans, who lived so long in the Buffalo neighborhood and afterward lived at Backbone mill which he operated. Mr. and Mrs. Thornbrugh were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living: Arthur, the oldest son died in 1916 and Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, passed away early this year. Those still living are: Mrs. Lewis Eynon, of Jackson, Wyoming; Lester, of Denver, Co.; Alvin, of Pratt, Kans.; Mrs. C. W. Cook, and Mrs. Fred Wilcox, of Des Moines; Mrs. Fred Compton and Loyd, of Winterset. Mrs. Thornbrugh, the wife, survives, and a sister, Mrs. Rebecca Crawford, of Topeka, Kans.

Mr. Thornbrugh was in failing health for the past year but his days of suffering lasted only for a short time. He died Sunday, July 9th, 1922 and funeral services were held at the home on the following Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. Andrew Thompson of Casey, Iowa.

(Burial in the Primitive Baptist cemetery)