My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

W. D. THORNBURG, clerk, post office Putnam, belongs to a family whose name has been prominent among those of Allegheny county for many years. Previous to the revolutionary war Thomas Thornburg came to America from Ireland, first proceeding to Allegheny county, afterward to Washington county, where he met one Jacob Peat, who showed him much kindness. Thomas had but a small amount of money, and his worldly possessions consisted of some yarn, which was woven into seventy yards of linen upon the loom of Jacob Peat. Thomas married Diana, a daughter of Jacob Peat, and she bore him seven children, whose names were Elizabeth, Jacob, Joseph, Rebecca, Samuel, Margaret and Benjamin. At the time of his death Thomas owned over one thousand acres of land; his children became scattered all over the United States, and Margaret (Mrs. Mitchell), residing at the old homestead, now over ninety years of age, is the only surviving member of the family. Samuel Thornburg, son of Jacob and Jane, was born in Robinson township in 1819. He remained on the farm where he was born, until 1847, when he married Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Benny) Obey. They moved to Illinois, and remained there and in the state of Ohio until 1881, when they returned to Mansfield, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg had three children: David, Lucy and William D. Mr. Thornburg died in 1886; his widow now resides at the homestead with her three children. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, except David, who is an Episcopalian. Mr. Thornburg was a republican.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.