My Genealogy Hound

William S. Thurston, a resident of Section 5, Union Township, and one of the pioneers of Benton County, Mo., having been a resident of the same for fifty-eight years, was born in Pettis County, Mo., August 10, 1831, and is the son of William R. and Mary (Walker) Thurston. Their family consisted of nine children, who were named as follows: Jane (deceased, who was burned to death), Elizabeth (deceased), Nancy, John, Sally, William S. and James and Myra (twins, and both deceased) and Samuel (deceased). William R. Thurston, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1792, and died in the year 1858. He came to Missouri at a very early day, settling in Pettis County, but afterward moved to Benton County, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Democrat in his political views. Mrs. Thurston was a native also of Virginia, born in the year 1788, and died in 1879. Their son William S. was but a child when his parents moved to Benton County. He grew to manhood in that county, and at the age of twenty-two years was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Philips, who bore him thirteen children: three died in infancy, William Hiram (deceased), James S., Eliza J. (deceased), Margaret A., Robert F., John C., Charles J. (deceased), Hannah L., Mary E. (deceased), Nancy M. Mrs. Thurston died October 31, 1880, and Mr. Thurston married Mrs. Cassie (Maybery) Riley, February 11, 1886. Mr. Thurston owns 240 acres of land, with some 175 acres of farm land and 160 acres under cultivation. He handles about 100 head of cattle, and about thirty or forty hogs. He has never held an office, and does not aspire in the least to official positions. His father, though, was justice of the peace for thirty years. Mr. Thurston is a Republican in politics; is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Wheel.