Clarence R. Thornton

Clarence R. Thornton, the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 10, Franklin township, enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists of the community. His birth occurred in Post township, Allamakee county, on the 5th of June, 1875, his parents being Alonzo and Eliza (Minnick) Thornton, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was born on the 23d of March, 1834, while the latter’s natal day was December 3, 1835. Alonzo Thornton was married in Ohio and in 1861 came to Iowa, settling near Hardin and securing employment as a farm hand. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil was as a member of Company A, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, remaining with that command as a private for three years. He was wounded in battle in Louisiana, being shot through the jaw and neck, and was confined in a hospital. After being honorably discharged from the army he returned to Hardin and resumed his labors as a farm hand, working for others during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in June, 1904. His widow, who makes her home with her children, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which she has now resided for more that half a century.

Clarence R. Thorton, the youngest in a family of eight children, attended the district schools of Post township and also pursued a course of study at Postville. When a youth of thirteen he began working as a farm hand and at the age of eighteen was married and established a home of his own. He continued working for others until 1907 and then rented a tract of land, being actively engaged in its cultivation until 1912. In that year he purchased the farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 10, Franklin township, this county, on the 7th of June, 1875, her parents being William and Martha (Hancock) Ertwisle. The father's birth occurred in England on the 18th of August, 1826, while the mother was born in Indiana on the 15th of September, 1831. When a youth of twelve years William Entwisle accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home became established in Iowa. He grew to manhood in Allamakee county and became a landowner of Franklin township, maintaining his residence there until called to his final rest in 1892. His wife passed away in March 1905. In their family were twelve children. Mrs. Thornton being the tenth in order of birth. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, as follows: Moss, whose birth occurred on the 28th of December, 1894; William, who was born October 6, 1896, and passed away July 22, 1903; George whose natal day was October 25, 1898; Henry, whose birth occurred on the 22d of July, 1901; one who was born on the 6th of September, 1903; and died in infancy; Ruth Alice, born July 10, 1905; Vernie, whose natal day was October 9, 1908; and Daisy, born July 6, 1911. In his political views Mr. Thornton is a stanch republican. With them perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of his life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the option of his fellowmen in the county, among who he has spent his entire life.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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