Charles Augustus Thurston 1864 - 1931

THURSTON, BRADY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/29/2018 at 19:59:52

Onawa Democrat
23 July 1931

C A Thurston Died Saturday
The Funeral Services for Pioneer Merchant Held At Congregational Church
The Death of Mr. Thurston Marks the Passing of Another Pioneer. Was Stricken With Heart Disease Some Weeks Ago. Was Living in Omaha.

Old friends and neighbors gathered at the Congregational Church in this city on Wednesday morning to pay their last loving respects to a departed loved one. Charles Thurston, a pioneer merchant of Onawa, and a native son.

Some weeks ago, Mr. Thurston suffered a severe heart attack while visiting here in the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. John Gray and was compelled to take to his bed and have complete rest and quietness. Two weeks or so ago, he showed considerable gain and bright hopes were held for his recovery. He and Mrs. Thurston secured the Myers home on East Broadway to reside in until Mr. Thurston could gain sufficient strength to go to his home in Omaha, where he has resided since leaving Onawa a number of years ago. He seemed to be gaining each day until late Saturday evening when he suffered another attack and passed away before the physician could arrive.

A son of that sturdy old pioneer, James R. Thurston, one of the early builders of Onawa. Charles Thurston had never lost sight of Onawa and his greatest joy was when he came back to the old home town and met the old friends of his younger days.

The Thurston grocery and hardware store was known for miles around. It was established by J.R. Thurston and his son carried the business on long after his death, until he sold it to Rowe and Nuessle some years ago.

While a resident of Onawa, Mr. Thurston took an active part in its business, social and religious life. He was never found wanting in doing his part for the advancement of these three things that goes so far in making a better community.

He was a man who made and kept friends, true to the principles in which he believed and was admired for his honesty and courage. Onawa for the past number of years has not seen a great deal of Charley Thurston but the work he had done in helping to build up this community, is easily remembered. Onawa and its community is a better place to live in because Charles Thurston resided here.
The obituary follows:

Charles Augustus Thurston, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Thurston was born in Monona County, Iowa, September 17, 1864 and died at Onawa, Iowa, July 18, 1931.

He lived with his parents near Blencoe until the age of 13 when he moved with them to Onawa, where he lived until 1919, except for a short period spent in Eugene, Oregon during his early married life. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1919 and continued his residence there until the time of his death.

He was marriage to Rose Brady in 1888 at Cassopolis, Michigan. To this union was born 4 children, Calista Belle Cody of Long Beach, California, Raymond Hugh Thurston of Omaha, Nebraska, Cora Adella Dyer of Des Moines, Iowa and Clarence James Thurston of Omaha, Nebraska.

He joined the Onawa Congregational Church and remained a member here until he moved to Omaha. He placed his letter in the First Central Congregational Church of Omaha and was a member there at the time of his death.

He received his education in the Onawa school and in the business college of Quincy, Illinois.

He was in the grocery business for several years with his father, before moving to Oregon. On his return to Onawa he stated a hardware business which he operated for 25 years. When he moved to Omaha he became associated with his son, Raymond and his brother-in-law, Lacy M. Talmage in the Equitable Trust Co. and continued his activity in the loan business until his death.

He was a member of the masonic Order, the Eastern Star and also the Odd Fellows lodge.

Besides his wife and four children, he is survived by his five grandchildren, Kathryn and Marjorie Cody, daughter of Calista, Ray Perry Thurston, son of Raymond, Virginia and Helen Dyer, daughter of Cora and two sisters, Mrs. Killie Wilson and Mrs. May Talmage of Pasadena, California.

Funeral services were held from the Congregational Church with Rev. Croker in charge. The services at the cemetery were conducted by the local Masonic Lodge of which Mr. Thurston was a member. Mr. George Moen of Whiting, acting as Chaplin.

The relatives from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Dyer and daughter Virginia and Helen of Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Thurston, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Thurston and son Perry of Omaha, Nebraska, Mrs. Earl F. Cody of Long Beach, California, Mrs. Kittie Wilson and Mrs. May Talmage of Pasadena, California, Mrs. Alla Mosher of Chicago, Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Parker of Omaha, Nebraska.

Friends from out of town attending the funeral were, Mr. and Mrs. Reed Talmage, Mr. and Mrs. Lubber and daughter, Marjorie Tilloton, Mr. L.D. Spaulding, Mr. W.T. Waldron, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Moore all of Omaha, Nebraska, Mrs. L.C. Brown and daughter Marguerite of Council Bluffs, Mrs. J.T. Cutter of Castana and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Easton of Whiting.