Ernest Thornburg

As printed in 1914

ERNEST THORNBURG.

This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth, and there is a rapidly growing sentiment among the dwellers of the great cities that the rural districts are the best, so they are going back to the soil in ever-increasing numbers, for there they not only find a greater independence but really have more of the good things of life, riot the least of which is better health of both body and mind. The farmer does not have to put forth such strenuous efforts to feed himself and his family. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine, the life-giving rains, and, handling Nature's gifts rightly, reaps the rewards that always come to patient, persistent toil. One of Randolph county's foremost agriculturists is Ernest Thornburg, whose tastily kept and altogether model farm lies one mile southeast of the city of Winchester.

Mr. Thornburg was born March 18, 1873, on Little White river, on a farm in the southwestern part of Randolph county. He is a son of Joab A. and Harriet (Parrott) Thornburg. The father was a native of this county, but the mother was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. The Thornburgs were early pioneers of Randolph county, the paternal grandfather locating here when the country was a wilderness and settlers were few and here he developed a good farm through thrift and spent the rest of his life and here the father four. subject grew to manhood and engaged successfully in general farming, and he and his wife are now living on a farm near Jerico, where they moved when their son, Ernest, was quite young, and there the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and assisted his father with the general work on the place, attending the rural schools the meantime. He had about three years study in high school. He remained at home until his marriage, on October 18, 1893, when he espoused Irene Turner, a daughter of John M. and Mary Jane (Hartman) Turner. The mother died when the daughter, Irene, was about ten years old, but the father is still living. Two children, a son and daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg, namely: Marvin H., whose birth occurred March 30, 1896, and Margaret Harriet, born August 26, 1900. They are both attending the public schools of Winchester.

Mr. Thornburgbegan farming for himself on part of his father's farm, where he remained three years, thereby getting a Httle stock around him. He then moved to a farm two miles southeast of Winchester, where he lived ten years, and in 1908 he bought his present farm, which adjoins the farm where he previously lived. The place consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land, which he has kept well improved and exceptionally well tilled. It was pretty much run down when he moved here, but being a scientific farmer as well as an industrious one he set to work with a will, employed natural fertilizers, carefully rotated his crops, etc., until the land today is as fertile as it was when first reclaimed from the wilderness. He has also constructed a splendid set of buildings on the place. Today no land in Randolph county surpasses it in point of productiveness and few farms equal it. One only has to glance at his substantial dwelling, large barn, ample granaries and sheds, also implement store rooms to quickly see that he is a twentieth-century husbandman of the first rank, to say nothing of his well-ordered fences, clean fence-rows and fields without weeds. However, in his recently erected residence is to be seen the acme of perfection reached in the modern styles of architecture. It is built of vitrified brick, with stone trimmings. It is modern in its appointments throughout and is symmetrical and attractive in general appearance. It is installed with all up-to-date appliances, electric lights, water system direct from the well, with hot air furnace, in basement for heating, also a thoroughly equipped laundry, a dairy room for the care of milk and butter, a fruit room for the storage of both canned and stored fruit; a work room, equipped with all kinds of tools and work bench; a fuel room and other apartments, all being reached from the ground floor by an elevator so there is no necessity for carrying articles up or down steps. A chute from the bath room on the second floor carries all soiled clothes to the laundry. On the living floor is a modernly equipped kitchen, with range, cupboards, closets and sinks supplied with well water and cistern water, both hot and cold. The dining room is large, as are also the drawing room and living room, all tastily arranged and elegantly finished in hardwood. The bedrooms above are large, well ventilated, well lighted and pleasant in all seasons. Above them is the attic, which is a convenient store room. This magnificent residence must be seen to be fully appreciated. It has been pronounced by many as being, not among the largest, but perhaps the most up-to-date country residence in the state.

Mr. Thornburg has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, both of which he carries on a large scale, feeding, from year to year, many head of live stock for the markets. He is a over of good stock and a most excellent judge of all kinds. There are always to be seen about his barns some fine specimens of the Norman breed of horses, Durham cattle, and his hogs are among the best in the county, as are also his Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. Whatever he raises, his aim is to have the best. For a period of five years he has secured the medal for champion corn raiser of Randolph county, quality and quantity per acre, these being the two main points considered in the contest. Whatever he attempts he keeps in mind the motto, "Raise the best." Mr. Thornburg has passed the examination and qualified as an expert judge of corn and is entitled to act in that capacity at any county or state fair or exposition in the country. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Randolph County Agricultural Association, the aim of which is to encourage better methods of tilling the soil in every manner possible. He is a member of the Indiana State Corn Growers' Association, and is the score in the Randolph county boys contest. He is chairman of the Randolph County Farmers' Institute work, is widely known over the eastern part of the state as one of the most influential and ambitious of the modern twentieth-century agriculturists, is actively interested in all organizations and movements that have for their object agricultural progress.

Politically, Mr. Thornburg is a Republican and is deeply interested in local public affairs, but is not an office seeker or desirous of becoming a political leader. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his family belong to the Friends church, and are highly esteemed by their neighbors and wide circle of friends.

As printed in Past and present of Randolph County, Indiana : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.