The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-14
CHARLES B.
THURSTON DEAD
He Finally Succumbs to
the Attack Of a Week
Ago.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
A Man of Great Executive
Ability He Successfully
Managed Large
Enterprises
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER

Enterprises
Charles B. Thurston, one of Jersey
Citys most distinguished and respected
citizens, died at half-past three o'clock
this morning at his late residence at the
Boulevard and Sip avenue. The cause OF
his demise was uraemia poisoning,
brought on by the weak condition OF the
kidneys. These organs refused to perform
their proper functions, consequently deatn
was only question of time. The DOCTORS
did everything in their power to save MS
life. Their efforts were of no avail, al
though Drs. McGill and Hummel were In
attendance almost increasingly since Mr.
Thurston was stricken a week. ago, Mon
day. Mr.. Thurston's family were about
his bedside when he died unconscious
Last Monday evening, after dinner, Mr..
Thurston was sitting on the piazza or MS
beautiful residence which almost faces
the County Road The night was warm
and he sought the coolest spot on the
porch Suddenly he was taken i'll and be-
came unconscious. Drs Hummel and Nc
Gill were hastily summoned. Apoplexy
was he cause to which Mr.. Thurston's
after the doctors had carefully diagnosed
the case. 1t was found that although apo
plexy was not the cause of Mr.. Thurstons $
sickness a disease just as serious was
slowly but surely weakening him.
Traces of anaemia poisoning were
found. Consultation after consultation
was held. Every means known to medi-
cal science was employed in attempting
TO check the diease. These efforts proved
unavailing. Mr.. Thurston's condition
never improved since he was stricken.
He became weaker and weaker only
Yesterday afternoon the doctors held
final consultation. and came TO the con-
clusion that their patient could not last
many more hours. This information was
communicated to the family OF Mr.
Thurston. He began to sink lower and
lower as the night passed, while his re-
latives watched by his bedside. Both
physicians were on hand to s, render render any my
vious a few hours before his death that
he was dying, and at 3.25 his life de-
parted.
The flags on the, Jersey City and Car
teret Clubs, of which Mr.. Thurston Was
a member wer placed at half mast this
morning in his. honor, Mr. Thurston Was
in his sizty-seventh year. His age great
ly impaired the chances of his recovery.
No arrangements have been made lor the
funeral. These will be attended to to-
morrow. The many organizations ~itI1
will make arrangements or the funeral.
AS he was high in Masonic Circles That
order will take charge of the services
New York April 2, 1882. His middle name
was that o an uncle, Justice David
Baldwin. of Newark with whom late in
life he was associated in 4 business on
terprise. He came of colonial STOCK His
grandfather on the Thurston side was the
Rev. Peter Thurston. OF l.ondon Eng
land, who accepted cali to this coun-
try in 1861. His fathre was Peter Kipps
Thurston, who was a noted New York
piano manufacturer.
Mr.. Thurston received his early educa-
tion, for the most part, in private schools.
He first attended the school ran many
years ago by William Walter in Newark
spent two years at the academy at
Chatham, N. Y. then under the super
vision of Professor Foiqus. He completed
his school education at the school Of
cal student and still later on chose den
tai surgery as a profession
He was associated with DR.. John B.
Hassel. well known dentist of Brook
lyn. Ill health however, caused him to
abandon the profession to which he had
become attached. He entered in partner
ship with his uncle, justice David Bald
VIII of Newark, and conducted for awhile
an enterprising paint and varnish busi-
ness.
In 1865 Mr.. Thurston went to California
via Panama to look after some mining
interests. He also visited some Nevada
mines. He returned home two years
later, via Nicaragua, and subsequently
accepted the agency of number of in
surance companies. While thus engaged
he secured control of the insurance of
several big railroad concerns. including
the United New Jersey Railroad and Ca
nal Company, subsequently leased to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Later
he became associated with the late A l..
Dennis in looking after the interests OF
the Pennsylvania Railroad in New Jer-
sey and New York and was made
director of other companies controlled by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Comapny.
In 1872 he was elected secretary and
trustee of the Associates 0 fthe Jersey
Company. A few years later he became
president of the Jersey City and Ber-
gen Railroad Company, which, under his
management, DESPITE the fact that it's
stocks had greatly deprecated in value
before he took hold of the helm, became
an immense paying concern and the
stock sold for $400.
He was manager of the Associates of
nearly all the water front and ferry
rights in Hudson County, and as presi-
dent was in charge of the toll roads be-
tween Jersey City and Newark. He was
president of the Hudson County Park
Commissioners and was appointed by ex-
Governor Werts on the Palisades Com
mission. At the time of his death he
was special agent of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, New Jersey Division,
having in charge large matters of inter-
est in Jersey City and New York He
was also president of the Fayettevilf
Water, Light and Power Company of
North Carolina, president of the Jersey
City Chain Works. president of the Port
Richmond and Bergen Point Ferry Com
pany, and president of the Milestone and
New Brunswick Railroad Company.
Mr. Thurston was a thirty-second de-
gree Scottish Rite Mason. He Joined
Eureka Lodge No. 80, Newark, in 1855
Subsequently he became a member of
Bergen Lodge, No. A. of this city, and
became Master in 1879. He was also a
member of Union Chapter, r. A. NJ, of
Newark, which he joined in 1864
His widow was formerly Lida a daughter
of James J. Armour, of New York.
Not a man in Jersey City was more
beioTed I'VE among his , fellows than Charles
bodiment of courtliness and kindliness
To the poorest and the wealthiest he
was ever the same and the widespread
regrets heard at his death show how
high the man stood in the community