Dallas County, TX - Biographies - Dr. Stephen D. Thruston ************************************************************************ This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ John Henry Brown's History of Dallas County, 1892, pp. 474-476 DR. STEPHEN D. THRUSTON, physician and surgeon, Dallas, Texas, was born in Gloucester county, Virginia, November 28, 1833. His parents were Emanuel J. and Catherine P. (Cook) Thruston, natives of Gloucester county, Virginia. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was well and favorably known throughout the vicinity in which he lived, and for over twenty years was Chief Magistrate of his county. He was born and reared an Episcopalian. He was a Democrat, and in political affairs took a prominent part. His death occurred in June, 1842, aged 43 years. His wife, born in 1803, died in 1864 She was a devoted Christian woman and a member of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Frances Ann, wife of Robert C. Robins, died in 1869, aged fifty-six years; John M., who died in 1882, aged 58 years, served for four years during the war as a private in the Fifth Regiment of Virginia Cavalry; Stephen D. was the third born; Emanuel J., who died in 1882, served in the same company with his brother John M.; and Sarah Catherine, wife of Benjamin F. Heywood, resides in Gloucester county, Virginia. Dr. Stephen D. Thruston received his literary education at the King and Queen Academy and the University of Virginia, and at the same time read medicine. Later, in 1854, be graduated in medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1855 be settled in Wilmington, North Carolina. He practiced his profession there until April 13, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in the Wilmington Light Infantry. After serving one mouth he was made Captain of Company B, Third Regiment of North Carolina State troops, enlisted for the war, and was early made Colonel of the regiment. His regiment was in the Third Brigade, Stonewall Jackson's division, from the first till the close of the war. The Doctor was well acquainted with General Jackson and a great admirer of his military genius and Christian and gentlemanly qualities. He took part in all the battles and hardships of that division and corps through Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. During the siege of Petersburg he was under General Early, operating in the Valley of Virginia. The Doctor was wounded and permanently disabled from field duty at Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864, being shot through both hips. He came near being taken prisoner at that time, and would have suffered that fate had it not been for an ambulance which was conveniently near, and a few faithful friends as well. After that date be was on provost duty and detached service until the war closed. He surrendered at Chesterville, South Carolina, after the surrender of General Johnston. Ile stood the service well. Indeed, nothing seemed to hurt him except the Yankee bullets. Many a time be made a narrow escape. At Antietam or Sharprburg, September 17, 1862, while in front of the Dunker Church, his jacket was punctured with forty-seven bullet holes, one. of the balls entering his right lung, the others doing him no injury. At Chancellorville, May 3, 1863, he was struck with a ballet through the left foot, and at Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, was shot through the right lung. After the war closed Dr. Thruston returned to Wilmington and continued his practice in that city till 1872. That year he came to Texas and located in Dallas, where he has since had an extensive and lucrative practice, being classed with the leading physicians of this place. He is examiner for several insurance companies, and is State referee for several. He is a member of the County and State Medical Associations, and occasionally writes for medical journals. He is not, however, troubled with cacoethes scribendi.. The Doctor is a man of family. His first marriage occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina, with Annie Everitt, daughter of Dr. Sterling B. Everitt of that place. Mrs. Thruston died in 1887, aged forty-two years. Their union was blessed in the birth of two children. His second marriage was consummated in April, 1889, with Mrs. Ella V. Chappell, daughter of John Wilson of Louisiana. Both be and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, being active workers in First Church. He is a Steward of the church and she has charge of the infant class in the Sauday-school. Mrs. Thruston is a graduate of the Female Institute, Louisiana. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Confederate Veterans' Association. He was chairman of the executive committee that planned the reunion of Veterans at Dallas, April, 1892, and the excursion to New Orleans. Dr. Thruston is earnest, impulsive, kindhearted and true. A large circle of valued acquaintances greatly admire him for his many manly qualities. In his profession his rating is first class. In concluding this brief sketch we refer to the Doctor's ancestors. His great-great-grandfather, Edward Thruston, was one of five brothers the others being Charles, Richard, John and Robert Ð who came from England to America in 1732. They brought with them the brick from Liverpool with which they built a mansion, called the old Thruston mansion, in Virginia, where they settled. This mansion stood until it was torn down by the Fifth Rhode Island Artillery in the winter of 1862-'63, and was shipped across York river, where it was made into quarters for the Federal soldiers. These brothers participated in the Revolutionary struggle. Charles was an Episcopalian clergyman, and a colonel of a regiment as well. He was deservedly called ÒThe Fighting Parson.Ó