JOSEPH THUNEY.

JOSEPH THUNEY is of French birth, but has been a resident of America from the age of seven years, and is in full sympathy with the institutions of this country. He was born in Loraine, France, on the 18th of March, 1838, his parents being John B. and Anna (Ferry) Thuney, of French nativity. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1845, taking up their residence in Brown county, Ohio, upon the farm which the father made his home throughout his remaining days. He died in 1886, at the age of seventy-eight, and his wife passed away in 1894, when she had reached the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. They had six children, of whom five are now living, namely: August and Julian, who are residents of Brown county, Ohio; Joseph; Adeline, wife of Victor

Petard; and Charles and Josephene, who make their home in Brown county, Ohio.

Joseph Thuney was the third in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm, receiving the advantages of a common school education. At the age of seventeen he became an apprentice at the carpenter's trade. After completing his term of service he was employed as a journeyman for a number of years, and being a good workman was always able to secure a situation. When he had accumulated about sixteen hundred dollars he decided to marry, and on the 16th of April, 1869, was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Miller, one of the accomplished young ladies of Brown county, Ohio. Her parents were Jacob and Matilda (Schler) Miller. Her father was a native of Germany, and during his boyhood came to the United States where he met and married Miss Schler, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had seven children, of whom six are living, all being residents of Brown county, Ohio, with the exception of Mrs. Thuney. These are Josephine, wife of Benjamin Farris; Frank; Henry; Susan, and Matilda, wife of John Evans.

After his marriage Mr. Thuney continued to work at the carpenter's trade until 1880, when he resolved to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits and believing that he could find better opportunities in the west where land was cheap he came with his family to Kansas in 1880 and purchased a tract of one hundred and forty-three acres in Cottage Grove township, five miles southeast of Humboldt. He has since resided thereon and has made it one of the finest farms in his section of the county, everything being kept in good condition. His knowledge of carpentering has enabled him not only to erect a pleasant residence and one of the best barns in the county, but also to keep everything in good repair, and now in their attractive home, he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their toil, for she has been to him an able assistant.

Mr. and Mrs. Thuney are the parents of three sons and four daughters, namely: Frank H., who is now in the United States civil service, being stationed in the custom house at Burlington, Vermont, and having worked his way steadily upward so that at the present time only one outranks him; Matilda, wife of George Reynolds, of Salem township; John and Louisa, at home; Edward and Belle, twins; and Stella, who completes the family circle. Mr. Thuney is a Democrat in his political faith, and for a number of years has served as township treasurer, his long continued serving indicating the capable manner in which he is now discharging his duties. He is a man of genial manner and kindly disposition and is a popular citizen of the community in which he makes his home.

Previous | Home | Next