Thurston, George H

From Lane Co Oregon

Thurston, George H. (1846-n.d.)

George H. Thurston was a resident of the State of Oregon since 1847, and born at Burlington, Iowa, December 2, 1846. He was the son of Samuel R. Thurston, Oregon’s first territorial delegate to Congress. George H. was educated at Willamette University and in other schools of the State. He began his career in the business world in 1864, as chairman of a Government land surveying party. The following year he was associated with W. H. Odell and B. J. Pengra, who located the Oregon Central Military Wagon Road from Booneville City, Idaho, to Eugene; he thus passed his summers in surveying, and during the winter attended school until 1870, when he bought his ranch of 800 acres near Springfield; here he engaged in the live-stock business, and during the same year, purchased 5,000 head of sheep which he sold on the route to Oroville, California. In the spring of 1871 he returned to Eugene, and engaged in public surveys which he followed for three seasons.

Mr. Thurston was united in marriage, March 26, 1872, to Miss Marietta Henderson, a daughter of Enoch Henderson, an early pioneer of Oregon. After his marriage he continued in the live-stock trade and Government surveys until 1879, when he began reading law with George B. Dorris of Eugene; he was admitted to the bar October 5, 1882, but did not engage in active practice, except as referred to the management of the land business of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road; he conducted the business until 1885, residing in Portland. This concluded, he returned to his ranch at Springfield, and has made his headquarters there while looking after his speculations and stock interests.

In 1880 he embarked in the raising of sheep in eastern Oregon, and continued with marked success until 1887, when through a severe winter he lost 10,000 head; in 1890 he sold his sheep, but still owns a range of 3,700 acres in Lake county.

Mr. and Mrs. Thurston have three children: Blandina S., Samuel R. and Anita Elizabeth. Our subject is a member of no secret societies and seeks no political honors. He has devoted his energies to his business, and has met with the success equal to his efforts. [Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 1272.]

The Thurston area was named after George H Thurston, a pioneer settler of the region.