Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-18
THURsTON APPOINTED.
He VIII succeed A. j. Popplcton a
Union Pacific Attorney.

Hon John NJ Thurston has been rendered
the most desirable position of chief attorney
for the Union Pacific railway company, in
place of MIR. A. j. Poppeon, who rendered
his resignation on the 3d inst Mr. Thurston
has done considerable legal work for the com.
pany for several years past, and since lSS7
has been acting rs an assistant to Mr. popplc.
ton The salary is $4,000 year. Mr.. Thurs
ton, who is just recovering from an attack of
tonsilitis, was visited by u representative
from the BEE last evening and asked con-
cerning the truthfulness Of the rumor about
his appointment
YES" said Mr.. Thurston, "I have been
rendered that position
"rhen you have not accepted II yet,"
mo, but it is probable that | will" ..
when does Mr. Poppcton's resignation
take effect, and when do you enter upon your
new dutiesi" .
"Mr. Popploton's resignation takes
effect not later than April /.
| hope that he will retain his place up to that
time so that can familiarize myself with the
duties OF my new position. Although my
work really commences before the lst of
April, will not officially hold my new posi-.
tion until then. Meanwhile have consider.
able other legal business to get off my hands,
as must contine myself exclusively to the
DuSlllCSS VI lut company Hiltr entering upon
the duties of the new position"
Mr., Thurston seemed pleased with his pro-
motion, and spoke of it rs being u most de-
sirablc one, and free from the many annoy.
ances common TO the ordinary work of an at.
torney MIR. Poppleton, he said, had been
connected with the company since its com
mcnccmcnt, and had been its attorney for
twenty years. He left his position to open "A
law Office of his own. As he was worth
nearly million dollars he need not work cX-
n ln lnNHn nT
Mr.. Thurston is probably one of the best
known lawyers in the state and is yet young,
having just turned forty He was born in
Montpelier, Vermont, August 81, 1si7;
In 1854 his fathers family removed
to Madison, Wisconsin, and two years
later to Beaver Dam in the same state,
where Mr. Thurstons widowed mother vet
resides AS boy Mr. Thurston worked
upon farm and anything he could turn his
hand to during the summer and devoted the
winters to studying and preparing for col
lcgc. When only sixteen he entered Way
land university, graduating at twenty.
Having chosen the law as II profession, he
entered upon its study and in May, 1869, was
admitted to the bar in Dodge county, Wis
consin In the fall Of the same year he
| determined to seek his fortune in he west and
| decided to locate in Omaha In April, 1872,
| he was elected TO the city council and served
one term, during which he was acting prcsi.
| dent, and for a portion of the time police
magistrate. In 1874 he was appointed city
attorney, and while holding this position was
| chosen to the Legislature in lSi5. In
| that body he was chairman of
| the judiciary committee and acting speaker.
| In 1877 he resigned his city attorneyship to
| accept the position of assistant attorney Of
| the Union Pacific railroad company, and now
| leaves this to step into the position of first
| attorney of the road. In numerous other
| ways Mr.. Thurston has been honorcd by his
| fellow citizens. I'm 1865 he headed the repub
| lican presidential ticket in Nebraska, as was
| selected aS messenger to convey the vote to
| Washington. In 1874 he was chairman of
the state delegation to the republican ma
tional convention, and his name has been
| used in connection with several high and
/ commanding nnliticnl nnSitinnS.