Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was a career military officer. He served with the New York State National Guard beginning in 1877 rising to the rank of Colonel. At the time of his death he was the Commander of the 74th Regiment and was with his unit in McAllen, Texas when he took ill and passed away.
In his civilian life, Colonel Thurston, better known to his friends as "Peggy" served the City of New York in several capacities including Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. He was an avid fire buff since 1868 and was appointed to the honorary rank of Battalion Chief on June 28, 1915. Upon his appointment Commissioner Adamson said,
"This appointment is conferred on Lieutenant Colonel Thurston in recognition of his valuable services to this department, covering many years in drilling the members of the department for appearances on public parade and especially in recognition of his services in connection with the fiftieth anniversary celebration."
It was reported that while taking a bath on a cold winter's night in 1914, he heard an alarm for a fire one block from his home and was first on the scene. An elderly man and his wife were trapped in their apartment on the top floor so Colonel Thurston climbed to the roof, broke through a skylight and rescued the couple.
His obituary in the New York Times stated that, "Colonel Thurston was said never to have missed a two-alarm fire when in the City, and would usually arrive in his automobile with or shortly after the apparatus."
Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was buried with full military and Fire Department honors.
In his civilian life, Colonel Thurston, better known to his friends as "Peggy" served the City of New York in several capacities including Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. He was an avid fire buff since 1868 and was appointed to the honorary rank of Battalion Chief on June 28, 1915. Upon his appointment Commissioner Adamson said,
"This appointment is conferred on Lieutenant Colonel Thurston in recognition of his valuable services to this department, covering many years in drilling the members of the department for appearances on public parade and especially in recognition of his services in connection with the fiftieth anniversary celebration."
It was reported that while taking a bath on a cold winter's night in 1914, he heard an alarm for a fire one block from his home and was first on the scene. An elderly man and his wife were trapped in their apartment on the top floor so Colonel Thurston climbed to the roof, broke through a skylight and rescued the couple.
His obituary in the New York Times stated that, "Colonel Thurston was said never to have missed a two-alarm fire when in the City, and would usually arrive in his automobile with or shortly after the apparatus."
Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was buried with full military and Fire Department honors.
Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was a career military officer. He served with the New York State National Guard beginning in 1877 rising to the rank of Colonel. At the time of his death he was the Commander of the 74th Regiment and was with his unit in McAllen, Texas when he took ill and passed away.
In his civilian life, Colonel Thurston, better known to his friends as "Peggy" served the City of New York in several capacities including Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. He was an avid fire buff since 1868 and was appointed to the honorary rank of Battalion Chief on June 28, 1915. Upon his appointment Commissioner Adamson said,
"This appointment is conferred on Lieutenant Colonel Thurston in recognition of his valuable services to this department, covering many years in drilling the members of the department for appearances on public parade and especially in recognition of his services in connection with the fiftieth anniversary celebration."
It was reported that while taking a bath on a cold winter's night in 1914, he heard an alarm for a fire one block from his home and was first on the scene. An elderly man and his wife were trapped in their apartment on the top floor so Colonel Thurston climbed to the roof, broke through a skylight and rescued the couple.
His obituary in the New York Times stated that, "Colonel Thurston was said never to have missed a two-alarm fire when in the City, and would usually arrive in his automobile with or shortly after the apparatus."
Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was buried with full military and Fire Department honors.
In his civilian life, Colonel Thurston, better known to his friends as "Peggy" served the City of New York in several capacities including Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD. He was an avid fire buff since 1868 and was appointed to the honorary rank of Battalion Chief on June 28, 1915. Upon his appointment Commissioner Adamson said,
"This appointment is conferred on Lieutenant Colonel Thurston in recognition of his valuable services to this department, covering many years in drilling the members of the department for appearances on public parade and especially in recognition of his services in connection with the fiftieth anniversary celebration."
It was reported that while taking a bath on a cold winter's night in 1914, he heard an alarm for a fire one block from his home and was first on the scene. An elderly man and his wife were trapped in their apartment on the top floor so Colonel Thurston climbed to the roof, broke through a skylight and rescued the couple.
His obituary in the New York Times stated that, "Colonel Thurston was said never to have missed a two-alarm fire when in the City, and would usually arrive in his automobile with or shortly after the apparatus."
Nathaniel Blunt Thurston was buried with full military and Fire Department honors.
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