MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 280
submitted by Shirley Plumb, November 27, 2007

DEATH OF MRS. THURSTON
July 30, 1890 (hand written)

Mrs. Margaret R. Thurston died at 5 o’clock this morning at the home of her son-in-law, E. H. Dolsen, on Pine street, in the 69th year of her age. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at three o’clock from the Congregational church, Dr. A. B. Robbins officiating.

Mrs. Thurston was born in Chester county, Pa., July 5, 1822. She emigrated west with her widowed mother, Mrs. Reece, and family coming by canal to Pittsburgh and thence by river to Muscatine (then Bloomington) landing here June 6, 1837. The subject of this notice was at that time in her fifteenth year and was then the only young lady in the town of Bloomington, where she was subsequently recognized as a belle.

She was married to Franklin Thurston in 1845. He died in 1878. There survive only two children –Mrs. Dolsen and Mrs. L. Maxon.

Thus we have in the biography of this estimable lady a life time of 53 years, reaching from bright and winsome maidenhood to almost the allotted three score and ten years.

Mrs. Thurston was a member of the Congregational church, with a membership out dating any one now in the city. She had been in quite feeble health for some time previous to her death and was seldom seen in society of late years. But by those who knew her best she will be most sorely missed and most sincerely mourned.

Old Settlers' Meeting.

At the Old Settlers’ meeting, held at the City Hall, July 31st, 1890, in commemoration of the death of Mrs. Margaret Thurston, President Walton in the chair, it was stated that Mrs. Thurston came to Muscatine in the fall of ’37, being one of the first girls of Muscatine and had lived continuously here ever since.

Messrs. Gordon, Freeman and Smalley were made a committee on resolutions.

The President stated there was an invitation from Wilton to hold our annual reunion in that neighborhood. The President was made a committee on ascertaining all about the inducements to hold our annual meeting near Wilton and report.

On motion adjourned to meet at the call of the President.

J. P. Walton, Pres.

PETER JACKSON, Sec’y.


Resolved. In the death of Mrs. Margaret R. Thurston, the Old Settlers lose one of their most esteemed members—one who has been with us from 1837, and came here a young girl of 15 or 16 years of age, and who was a leader in society and was an esteemed and faithful mothers and a kind neighbor—one who was a great friend to the sick and needy, and who lived an exemplary Christian and died in strong Christian faith.


Wm. GORDON.
J. P. FREEMAN.
A. SMALLEY.

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