Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 468] P. F. THURBER, an intelligent farmer, and a leading citizen of Pilot Township, is a native of Erie County, New York. His father, RUFUS THURBER, was a native of Madison County, New York, and his mother, CHLOE (PUTNAM) THURBER, was born in the State of Vermont. P. F. passed his youth in his native county, receiving his education in the public schools and at Springville Academy and select schools, New York. He also spent some time at Grandville College, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years he engaged in teaching school in win- ter. He worked or attended school in summer, and being of a roving disposition, he taught school in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York and Iowa, in all eleven terms. In 1850 he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and was united in marriage to Miss ROSETTA INEZ FOSTER. Mr. THURBER decided to try his fortunes in Minnesota, and in 1854 removed to that State. He located the town of Saratoga, and was the first settler in that locality. He resided there until 1873, when he came to Cherokee County and located in Willow Township. He improved a farm of 120 acres, which he still holds. In 1882 he settled on his present farm of 200 acres, and has a comfortable home. Politically Mr. THURBER is a Republican, and he is a strong advocate of the principles of Prohibition. He has represented Willow Township officially as justice of the peace in Minnesota. Mr. THURBER is a Baptist in sentiment. He belongs or adheres to no secret order; thinks they are dangerous, anti-Republican and anti-Christian. His creed is, unite with no society that abridges the freedom of speech or the press, or that makes it a crime to tell the truth, or a virtue to lie and deceive. Mrs. THURBER, sister of Rev. J. O. FOSTER, of Chicago, was born in Indiana, and was reared and educated in Daven- port and vicinity. She attended the Davenport High School, taught by Miss BERGEN. She taught school at the age of seventeen, and was distinguished for great skill in governing and controlling schools and bad boys. Since her marriage she has served in every capacity in the Sabbath-school, from the infant class to superintendent, and made it a success. She has also served as secretary of the Cherokee County Sabbath-School Association, and still, at the age of fifty- seven, is a worker in the Sabbath-school. ===========================================================================