Obituary-The Oakdale Sentinel-February 16, 1928

GEORGE W THORNBURG

George W THORNBURG was born at Savannah, Missouri, October 17, 1846 and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs George HUNTER, February 11, 1928 at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 22 days. At an early age he moved to Winterset, Iowa where he spent his boyhood. He was married to Mary M SHARP January 1, 1871. To this union were born five daughters, Etta and Verna deceased, Mrs B. W. CALDWELL of San Diego, CA, Mrs George W HUNTER of Oakdale, and Mrs Jack FRAY of Chicago. With his wife and four daughters he came to Oakdale in 1884. Here he resided continuously for 43 years and made many friends. In August 1916 his faithful wife was called to her reward and since that time he made his home with his daughters. He had been in the best of health until the last two weeks when he failed rapidly but had been able to be around until Wednesday when he suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never rallied. He became a member of the I.O.O.F. LODGE in July 5, 1887 in which organization he was greatly interested. Besides his daughters, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, he is mourned by a host of friends. The funeral service was conducted at the Oakdale Methodist Church and burial was in the Oakdale Cemetery.

The Oakdale Sentinel-September 1, 1916

Mary Margaret (SHARP) THORNBURG

Abridged: Mary Margaret Sharp was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, September 1, 1850. Left motherless when she was an infant, she was taken into the home of an uncle, James Roger, and with this family spent her childhood and young womanhood. From West Virginia she removed to Missouri, thence to Kansas and to Iowa, where on January 1, 1871, at Winterset, she was married to George W Thornburg. To Mr and Mrs Thornburg were born five daughters: Etta. who became the wife of Willis Brown, died in 1907; Verna, died at the age of 2 years, Wilda, Wife of B. W. Caldwell of Chadron, NE, Artie, wife of George W Hunter of Oakdale, Ne; Mrs Dot Pletcher of Norfolk, Ne. With four daughters she came to Oakdale in the fall of 1884 to join her husband who had preceded her to this place several months. Here for thirty-two years she had resided continuously and made many friends who regarded her highly. She was a faithful wife, devoted mother and firm friend. Death and other circumstances had placed in her charge several grandchildren and to these little ones she gave tender, loving, thoughtful care, and leaves with them, as well as her own daughters, the memory of a life well spent, of duties bravely met and faithfully discharged. Mrs Thornburg was a member of the Oakdale Presbyterian Church and the Rebekahs and carried a policy in the Fraternal Aid Union. She will be greatly missed in the home, the church and the social activities of the Community. Mrs Thornburg died Monday, August 7, 1916 and burial was made in the Oakdale Cemetery.