Joseph and Agnes Thurston

Joseph and Agnes Thurston

from Hyde Heritage, copyright, 1977, page 475

by Mrs. Elmer Lusk (Ruth Thurston Lusk)

Joseph Grant Thurston was born September 12, 1871, at Oasis,Wisconsin, to Alfred M. and Barbara (Messing) Thurston. The family moved to Beadle County, Dakota Territory in the early 1880's. Joe received his elementary education in the rural schools of Wisconsin and Beadle County and attended Huron High School. He also attended Dixon Business College, Dixon, Illinois. Joe farmed in Beadle County in the Sheffield-Cavour area. In 1908, he came to Hyde County and bought land in Banner Township.

Joe was united in marriage to Agnes Vondra, March 30, 1910, and he designed the floor plan for and built their new home.

Agnes Vondra was born in Hoslov (Usilov), Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, March 26, 1884 to John and Marie (Sedlacek) Vondra. As a babe in arms, she came to America with her parents and brothers, James and Joseph, and sister, Mary, in the spring of 1884. The family lived in Chicago for a few months and in the fall of the year, came to Dakota Territory and settled in the northwest part of Eden Township which was part of what was known as the Bohemian Settlement. After two years, the family moved to their homestead in Union Township near Rice Lake.

Agnes received her elementary education in the rural school and attended Highmore High School for one year. She attended summer institute, took the examination and received a second grade teacher's certificate. She taught school in Hyde and Faulk counties. Agnes homesteaded in Union Township and received the patent on the SW 1/4 of Sec. 34 November, 1909.

Joe and Agnes had two daughters--Marion, born June 30, 1917, and Ruth, born July 22, 1919. Marion married Andrew Odegaard June 30, 1943, and they lived on the Odegaard farm with his brother Alvin and mother. Andy passed away in the spring of 1951. Marion was married to Marion Stoley August 6, 1959 and they lived in Pierre where she teaches school and he is employed by the State Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Ruth married Elmer Lusk on November 8, 1940, and they bought what originally was the Frank Volek, Sr. farm. They had five children.

Joe and Agnes both taught school in what was known as Money School in Banner Township. Agnes belonged to the Progressive Extension Club and Joe was treasurer of Banner Telephone Company, chairman of the Banner school board and served on the ASC Program.

They lived on the farm in Banner Township until Agnes's death April 16, 1942. Joe sold the farm and lived with either of his daughters until he passed away August 20, 1966, and as laid to rest beside Agnes in the Bohemian Cemetery in Eden Township.