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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOHN THRASH, of Garfield Township, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., March 12, 1818, and is a son of William and Catherine (Lester) Thrash, who were natives of Virginia. The subject of this sketch left his native place in 1836, locating first in Knox County, Ill., where he resided for two years, and then emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, remaining there until 1843, when he came to this county and settled on section 21 of Garfield Township, where he still resides, and which he has improved, and brought to the highest possible state of cultivation. Mr. Thrash was married, Jan. 25, 1849, to Miss Mary T. De Long, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Edward De Long. They are the parents of ten children: William., residing in this township; Elva and Lawrence A., at home; Rachel, wife of David Faulkner, of Poweshiek County; Melitus L., Warren, Stephen A. D., John C., Hilliard and Richard, all at home. Mrs. Thrash is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Thrash came to this county to take advantage of the cheap lands, and really came on to the New Purchase before the Indians had left it. Within twenty-four hours after the lands were open for settlement the whole neighborhood round about him was populated with settlers who, like himself, had been anxiously awaiting that time. Where Oskaloosa now stands was then called The Narrows, because it was the narrowest strip of land on the divide between the Skunk and Des Moines Rivers. At that time there was only one cabin on the present town site, which was located near the center of the present city, and owned by a man named Canfield, and was the first hotel in Oskaloosa. Mr. Thrash's highly cultivated quarter-section yields him a handsome return as the years go by, and entirely relieves his mind as to future wants. It is, as we have said, in a high state of cultivation, and one of the best farms of that section of the county. Mr. Thrash possesses all those qualities that enter into good citizenship, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy