Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-10
THURsToN HEARS LAST CALL
Former U. s. Senator Dies in Hos
pital After Lingering Illness.

After lying unconscious for nearly
three days and nights, former United
States Senator John NJ. Thurston died
at 4 o'clock Wednesday morning from
hardening of the arteries, following
fall sustained three weeks ago, sur
rounded by his immediate family and
old-time associates, who for days
have watched his battle against dis
ease, the veteran lawyer succumbed.
His words Of greeting to James
Allan, an associate for iorty-two
years, on his return from Wisconsin
few weeks ago: "1'll be here till
you plant me-" were brought forci-
bly, home to the little gathering at ST.
Joseph's hospital.
At the bedside we're his wife, Mrs.
Lola Thurston, of Washington, D. c.;
daughter. Mrs. Jean Coolidge, and
younger daughter, Miss Ruth, also of
Washington; a sister, Mrs. L. H.
Dow, of Beaver Dam, Wis.
Following out the expressed wish
of Senator Thurston, his body will be
cremated and the ashes sent to be
buried in the Congressional cemetery
at Washington. This provision is
made in codicil to his will. Accord
ing to Edward Morrison, his law
partner, Mr.. Thurston leaves $4,000
in life insurance to his wife, the re-
mainder of the estate bling distribu-
ted among the children. Funeral ar
rangements are in charge Of St.
Johns Masonic lodge.
During late years Senator Thurs
ton has made his home with his law
partner, Mr.. Morrison, at 1850 Maj :e
street.
Born in Vermont.
John Mellen Thurston was born
August q, lS47, at Montpelier, VT.
His father was Daniel Sylvester
Thurston, who moved to Beaver Dam,
Wis, where the younger Thurston
started life on farm. Upon the death
of his father in the spring Of 1868, Mr..
Thurston entered the seriousness of
life by helping to support the family.
At II he moved to Chicago, where his
first work was as driver of a wagon
for wholesale fruit and grocery firm
on South Water street. After a year
in Chicago he returned to Beaver
Dam, where for three years he en-
gagged in fishing and trapping and at
tended the public schools of Beaver
Dam interinittently. In the spring OF
1866 he entered Wayland university
at Beaver Dam, a Baptist denomina-
tional institution,
Takes Up the Law.
Deciding upon law as his life's work,
he entered the offices of f. P. Smith,
then a lawyer at Beaver Dam and
later assistant general attorney for the |
Union Pacific system for the state OF
Nebraska. Young Thurston was ad-
nitted to the bar at Portage, Wis, on |
MAY q, 1869. He arrived in Omaha |
October 5, 1869 with $40 as working |
capital. Herman E. Luthe came with |
him from Wisconsin and the twain
rented office space in the legal estab-
ishment Of William H. Morris, who |
later was judge of the Fifth Nebraska !
district. In 1871. when Judge Morri- |
son resigned as justice OF the peace.
MIR. Thurston was elected by the
commissioners to fill the va
cancy, which he held until 1873, when
he Joined Charles Fl. Brown in the
law business. In 1873 he was elected |
to the city council from the Third
ward. During the spring OF 1874 he
was appointed as city attorney by
Mayor {. S. Chase. which position he
1eld for three years, resigning to ac-
,ept the position OF assistant attor-
icy for the Union Pacific rnder A. J.
Poppleton, then general solicitor of
The system. He became general So
icitor of the Union Pacific on Febru-
Try |, 1888 In 1895 he resigned his
general soticitorship OF the railroad to
become United States senator from
his state. After his one term at
he remained in the ma
ional capital until about year ago
when he returned to Omaha and
oined Joseph Crow and Edwin 7:
Morrison under the firm name OF
Grow & Morrison. Mr..
-row left the firm month ago.
Married In Omaha.
On Christmas day. 1872, he was
married to Miss Martha Poland,
laughter OF Colonel Luther Poland of
his city. His first wife was buried
Ii Omaha. Sixteen years ago he mar