John Samuel Thurston
Payette Enterprise
Thursday, May 10, 1934
FORMER MERCHANT PASSES WEDNESDAY
The entire community was sorrowed again Wednesday when it was learned that Mr. John S. Thurston had passed away at his home on First avenue south about three o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Thurston came to Payette in 1890 and started the Thurston Pharmacy which has been continually in operation from that date. His life has been one of unselfish service to the entire community and during all of his active life took a great interest in all civic and fraternal affairs for the benefit of his fellow men. He retired from active business several years ago, turning the management of the store over to his son, Clyde Thurston, although since his retirement he has made a daily practice to be in the store, so as to greet his many friends that would drop in to see him.
Mr. Thurston has been in rather poor health for the past few years and about a week ago took a turn for the worse which, due to his advanced age, he was unable to survive.
A complete obituary will be published next week Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church this Friday afternoon at 2:30.
Payette Enterprise (Thursday, May 17, 1934)
OBITUARY
John Samuel Thurston, son of Dr. Wilson B. and Rachel Dyer Thurston was born in Argyle, Wisconsin, Dec. 14, 1857. After finishing the work of the public schools of that village he attended Eastman's Business College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
In 1875 he went to Colorado, and spent two years in mining camps and on cattle ranches in various parts of the state. Some time was spent with his Uncle, Rev. John L. Dyer, who was one of the first Methodist preachers in Colorado.
Upon his return to Argyle, he was employed in his father's drug store and studied pharmacy under the supervision of his father who was a physician.
On March 27, 1879, he married Miss Lizzie Middleton who was also a native of Argyle. To this union six children were born of whom five are still living; the eldest son, Irwin, and the wife preceeded him in death.
In the spring of 1889 he went with his family to a farm near Central City, Nebraska. After losing one crop by drought and a second by hail storms, he came to Payette, Idaho, in November 1890. The family followed in August, 1891.
In Payette he way first employed by Mark B. Palmer as a pharmacist, then in 1891 he bought the business. He continued in the drug business here until he retired a few years ago and was succeeded by his second son, Clyde.
Early in life he joined the Methodist church and was always active in the work of that denomination. He served many years as clerk of the local school board and during the early days of Payette, he was Justice of the Peace for several terms. He always showed a deep interest in political questions and in the welfare of the community but never aspired to any political office.
In October, 1929, he married Sarah Elizabeth Jenney of Woodburn, Oregon, who survives him. Besides the widow he also leaves two sisters, Mrs. F. A. McDonald and Miss Bertha Thurston of Missoula, Montana; two sons, Clyde W. and Ralph V. of Payette; three daughters, Mrs. Bessie Buckley of Eugene, Oregon, Mrs. Rachel Filer of Santa Ana, Calif., and Mrs. Helen Brainard of Inglewood, Calif., and ten grandchildren.
