This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MichaelPetrie75 Surnames: thornburg, booth, yohann, konow Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.fonddulac/4014/mb.ashx Message Board Post: "Village man 90 years old", Fond du Lac Reporter, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1977, p. 2, c. 2 photo caption: Frank Thornburg of North Fond du Lac is 90 years old today. The former village constable was honored at a Sunday birthday party. Frank Thornburg of North Fond du Lac spent Sunday afternoon celebrating "90 years of experience," as he referred to it. Friends and relatives of Mr. Thornburg's gathered at the Lakeside Park Pavilion Sunday for a surprise reception to honor him. His 90th birthday is actually today. Thornburg was village constable from 1922 to 1932. The constable-elect was then also appointed as village marshal. As the North Fond du Lac constable-marshal, Thornburg's responsibilities were law enforcement, street commissioner, fire chief, dog catcher, janitor of the village hall and curfew bell ringer (9 p.m.). He was also responsible for street snow removal. Thornburg estimates that he was paid about $40 a month. In addition, he explained, "I made a little commission from arrests...and $2 for shooting a dog." North Fond du Lac was "a railroad town," with both the North Western and Soo Line. It was the Prohibition years and the classic "bums" made their way into the North Fond du Lac yards. Those men were also Thornburg's responsibility. He would provide the two-cell jail and the men would provide their own coffee pots. Often, Thornburg said, he would "help out" 300 men a month, especially during the winter months. He farmed in the Town of Springvale and Rosendale and during World War II was a security guard at the Wisconsin Power & Light Co. substation in the village. He joined that company as a line patrolman after the war and retired at the age of 65. Mrs. Milton Booth of 509 Illinois Ave., North Fond du Lac, notes that he still tends a garden annually. Thornburg lives with his daughter, Mrs. Booth. Although born in California, he grew up in this state. His first wife Marie Yohann died, as did his second wife, Mrs. Ida Konow. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.