New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-04
OBITUARY..
Or. GEORGE THURBER.

DR.. George Thurber Of the most accomplished
botanists this country produced. died on Wedncs
day night AT his home, the Bcechcs. Passaic. the
township In which he had lived for over twenty years
DR.. Thurber, who at one time was familiar figure
in Newspaper Row." had, on account Of falling
health, lattery remained in strict retirement and at
the time Of his death had not visited New York for
nearly three years. About five weeks ago. on his
removal from his old house. the Pines. to the new
building occupied by his brother-inaw. George Wool
son. DIR. Thurbcr was seized with severe attack Of
rheumatism which developed into complication OF
disorders. lie never rallied and on Tuesday began to
sink rapidly, being unable to artculatc for many
hours pre-, edng his death.
The dead man. whose name is household word
among botanists in every part Of the country. was
born In Providence r. l.. on september >. 1921. his
father being Jacob Thurbcr. old resident OF that
city. Having received private school education. he
was apprcntced to the drug business. and even at
that early age had obtained a knowledge Of botany
extensive that when, In conjunction Win joshua
Chaplin. he began business for himself he was master
OF the history and derivation Of every drug in his
store.
lie remained in Providence until 1880. when he
formed one Of the special commission appointed by the
Government to settle the boundary between the United
States and Mexico and took part In several OF the
periodical skirm,hcs with the Indians Here II was
that Dr. Thurber began those researches In botany
that aitcrwad made him famous, and completed -
collection that comprised every plant native to MeX-
can soil. the majority Of W,iCA had hitherto been
unknown to science.
In 1851 the commission. OF which DR.. Thurber had
been quart .rInastcr was dsbandcd and he came TO
New York. where he received appointment In tho
Assay ONCE. lie was strong supporter Of Fro
mont in the Presidential campaign OF 17jd'1'. Ills
openly avoWcd abOltioni, sentiments were not AT al
10 the taste 81 tie ruling powers in the Assay once
who were all devoted TO the cause OF Mr. Buchanan
and finally Dr. ThIrbcr had the alternative oil voting
for the Democratic candidate or IcsIgnns. lie chose
To resign, and for some tine was without employment
h,t rented "A room i'm the Cooper Union where he pur
sued his chemical and botanical studies.
Then. In l-59 he Wa, appointed professor Of botany
and horticulture Of the state Agricultural College
Lansing Mich and while there he revised Dr. Darling
ton American Weed, and Useful Plants. IN l0p"
Dr. lhuricr aer' pied tlc cditOf-hp 81 me Nher,Hi
AcrcutHrst and retained that place untl -7p' "h'ii
twenty two years service - editor ne iH >pi 'l
81 the revision and editing 81 all works oil horticulture
published lt the Orange Judd GO. ,
In addition "a the papers written hF MN ~, I
American Agricuuri,t" in Do, editorial 'dpi'ly' D!,
Thurher Wa o." author 81 al tne atu,0 on 1otdn,
and horticulture bow 20 Doe found IN Appleton s.
Fucyclopodia and delivered large number OF lectures
ON chemistry and hotan, Al the cooper Mon ana al
the college 81 Pharmacy. la ms country nc WIS
the foremost authority ou gr..~c-.
Dr. Thur err onl, once vcuturcd outside America
I'm 20 wien De- paid 70 brief Visit 10 England. >n''
his retirement from GIVE WORK ne ma ,p,hl moa' 90
hl~ time in contributing occasional sl"'Ihl p'p'iH 10
horticultural and botanical magazines and pc0dl,"l'
the Last arilclr written hv him w1ng The lo'-oho',
Hair. ~ the p.ulula ohc'ul'a' for "'ardcl' Nc
Ior.-t~ Ilr was never married. but leaves brothcf
rhc funeral VIII take place at n, home his after
noon ~ O'Clock. The hDiy viii then hc taken 10
swan POINT cemetery. Providence. where II VIII be
buried a the family plot.