California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 HENRY THURMAN.� A Native Son of the Golden West, having been born in Point Arena, Mendocino county, December 5, 1884, Henry Thur- man is representative of the best blood of the old world transposed to the new in one generation, and is typical of the class of men who have aided so signally in the development of California, making it one of the foremost states in the Union. His father, John Thurman, was born in Christiana, Norway; his father was a member of the Lutheran church in Norway, and for many years was a resident of Christiana. Here John Thurman received his early education, being instructed in both English and his mother tongue. When yet a lad the family removed to the United States and John continued his studies in the public and high schools of Nebraska. He was at first destined for the ministry, and pursued his studies in this line for some time. Finally, however, circumstances wrought a change of mind, and he discontinued his clerical studies and came to California, locating at Point Arena, where he purchased a farm and engaged in dairying. His ranch is one of the oldest dairy farms in that vicinity and he had the first creamery built in that locality. The busi- ness prospered exceedingly, and Mr. Thurman continued to follow his chosen occupation until the time of his retirement, a number of years ago. He now makes his home in Santa Cruz. His wife was Mollie Hendrickson, a native of Jolland, Denmark, who came to America when she was yet a child. She died several years ago, while the family home was still at Point Arena. She was the mother of three children, of whom Henry was the second eldest. Born on the farm near Point Arena, Henry Thurman received his early education in the local public schools of Point Arena, attending regularly until he was some fifteen years of age when the family removed to Livermore, Alameda county, where the children again attended school. The delights of participation in the larger affairs of life as they existed all about him, how- ever, proved too strong for Mr. Thurman and he cut short his school career, on the return of the family to Mendocino county, entering the employ of a lumber company at Greenwood, where he was a band saw fitter. Even this life did not hold all the excitement that the blood of the youth craved and in 1907 he went to Nevada, eventually locating in Goldfield. Engaged in mining and prospecting, being for a time in the Wabuska country, at Yerington, the lure of the far north then claimed him and in 1909 he went to Alaska, going in by way of White Pass, to Fort Gibbon, then up the Tananah river to Fair- banks, which was his objective point. Here he opened a barber shop and met with success. He also engaged in lumbering, prospecting, and in the mining business generally, meeting with flattering success in all his ventures. The rigors of the Alaskan climate, however, did not agree with his health, and he was obliged to come out. Returning home he determined to give up the fascinating life of a rover, and make for himself a worthy place in the affairs of men. Accordingly he entered Heald's Business College in San Francisco, and on the completion of his studies there, came to Fort Bragg in the employ of the Glen Blair Redwood Company as tallyman and local salesman. His wide experience as a lumberman made him too valuable to the company to remain long in such a position, and six months later he was promoted to the office of superintendent of the Fort Bragg yards of the com- pany. This position carries with it much responsibility, as the yards are the receiving and distributing point for all of the company mills, and the volume of business which passes daily through the hands of the superintendent is very large. Nothing but systematic accuracy could successfully dispose of it. Mr. Thurman is making a distinct success of his new work since taking it over in October, 1913. Also since coming to Fort Bragg he has made a host of warm personal friends and his position in the community is one of trust and confidence among his fellows. He is an influential member of Broderick Parlor. N. S. G. W., at Point Arena.