Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 845
THOMAS CHATBURN

The CHATBURN family are of English descent and the first members of the family to come to the United States located in Harrison county, Iowa, in 1855. The parents of Thomas CHATBURN, a prosperous farmer of Magnolia township, were born, reared and married in England, where all of their children except Thomas, were born. Mr. CHATBURN started in at the foot of the ladder, but by hard work and good management has accumulated a farm of five hundred and fifty acres in Harrison county. This is ample evidence that he has directed his energies in a definite manner, and the high esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens shows that he is a man of high character.

Thomas CHATBURN, the son of Richard and Mary (DUXBURY) CHATBURN, was born in Magnolia township, Harrison county, Iowa, January 21, 1867. His parents reared a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. Three of the boys and two of the girls are still living.

Richard CHATBURN was born in Lancashire, England, in 1823. His wife was born near his home June 19, 1825. Richard CHATBURN came to America with his wife and family in 1865 and bought the present farm of eighty acres where his son, Thomas, is now living. He lived on this farm until his death, in 1912, his wife having died in 1874. He was an active worker in the Latter-Day Saints, who have a church in Magnolia.

Thomas CHATBURN was educated in the district schools of Magnolia township and completed his education in the high school at Magnolia. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and then began farming for himself by renting his father's farm. He married when he was twenty-two years of age and for the next quarter of a century he and his good wife have lived and worked together on their farm in Magnolia township. He is one of the largest land holders in the county, and one of the largest stock producers. He keeps his farm improved in such a way as to get good results, and under his skillful management it yields a satisfactory return year after year.

Mr. CHATBURN was married in 1889 to Matilda RADTKE, who was born in Sibley county, Minnesota, in 1871, and is a sister of George Radtke, whose history gives a sketch of her family. Mr. CHATBURN and his wife have three sons, Guy, John and Thomas. Guy is a graduate of the Magnolia and Logan high schools; he also took a five-year course at Ames College, where he graduated in electrical engineering. He is now city electrician of Pellston, Michigan, while Thomas is still at home with his parents. John married Emma Neidermeyer, of Magnolia, and rents one of his father's farms.

Mr. CHATBURN is a Republican in politics and is now serving as school director of Magnolia township. The township has a consolidated school and Mr. CHATBURN takes an active interest in keeping it at a high standard. The family are members of the Latter-Day Saints church and give it their hearty support at all times. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. CHATBURN ranks among the most enterprising farmers of the county and he merits a place among the representative men who have made this county one of the garden spots of the state.

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