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Obits > Henry Thackaberry - 1920

Submitted by Les Niemi

TAMPICO TORNADO
August 26, 1920
DEATH TAKES OLDEST CITIZEN OF COMMUNITY
Henry M. THACKABERRY, Oldest Citizen of This Vicinity, died in Sanatarium at Rockford.

DEATH OF HENRY M. THACKABERRY

Henry M. THACKABERRY, New Bedford's grand old man and for many years a resident of Thomas south of Tampico, died last week Wednesday morning at 5:30 o'clock at the sanitarium in Rockford where he had been a patient for less than a week. The remains were brought to the home of his daughter in New Bedford where he has lived for many years and been tenderly cared for and funeral services were held last Friday with internment at the Whittington cemetery in charge of the Masons of Tampico. Although the roads were bad and it rained about fifteen of the brethren from Tampico attending the funeral. Mr. THACKABERRY was a charter member of the Yorktown lodge No. 655 and the oldest member of the lodge at the time of his death.

Mr. THACKABERRY, who was one of the pioneers of northwest Bureau county, had been ill for several months. A few weeks ago while a patient at the Prineton hospital, he fell out of bed and broke his hip. He made a emarkable recovery from the injury and was able to sit in a wheel chair when he was removed last week to the sanitarium at Rockford, but he succumed to the infirmities of old age. Although he was nearing the century mark, Mr. THACKABERRY had never before experienced a serious illness.

Mr. THACKABERRY had been a resident of Bureau county since 1852. He was born in Queenstown, Ireland, August 18, 1824, and lived there until he was 10 years old, when his parents moved to England. He was reared and educated in England. He came to America in 1851, arriving in New York on Christmas day. He went first to Chesterville, Pa., where he lived a few months with his brother, and in April 1852, he starrted west, arriving Princeton on May 5. For three years Mr. THACKABERRY lived on a farm north of Princeton, after which he took up his residence in Fairfield. He retired 21 years ago to make his home in New Bedford.

Mr. THACKABERRY was married in August, 1851 to Miss Jane MEARNS, of Montrose, Scotland. The marriage was performed in St. George's Episcopal church in Honover Square, London. Three children were born of this marriage: Mrs. W. E. BOOTH, New Bedford; Alexander, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and another now deceased.

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