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Thurkow |
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| John E. Thurkow, merchant and proprietor of the grain warehouse at Morley, was born in New Baltimore, Mich., Oct. 7, 1849. He is the son of Fred and Maggie (Kiess) Thurkow, who was natives of Germany. Mr. Thurkow left home at the age of 15, and was engaged as clerk at a general store at Fair Haven, Mich., and there remained 15 years. He relinquished the position on account of ill health, and took a trip to Colorado, where he remained nearly five months. On his return he remained a few months at home, coming to Morley in the spring of 1881, he purchased the store of E.W.Stewart and Co., where he continues to do business. He carries a full stock of goods in lines adapted to the demands of the community of where he operates. Mr. Thurkow has been the architect of his own fortunes. He is a keen business man, has managed his affairs with honest saga city, and by close attention to business and well directed effort has obtained competence. In politics he is a Republican, has been twice elected to treasurer of the village, and still holds the position. He is a Master Mason, a Knight Templar, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is in sympathy with the tenets of the Congregational Church. In September, 1881, Mr. Thurkow bought a shingle mill in Etna tp., of Messrs. King & Lake, which operated until June 9,1882. At that date it was burned to the ground, entailing nearly a loss of $3,000. He also owns the timber on 240 acres of land in the township of Etna, and a house and lot in Morley. He has recently erected a neat warehouse for the storage of grain, potatoes, etc., of which he handles a large quantity. He is also an extensive dealer in lumber, bark, shingles, etc., making him one of the largest shippers in this section. As one of the representative men of Mecosta County we give a portrait of Mr. T. in this volume. |