HON. PAUL F. THORNTON

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 697:

Hon. Paul F. Thornton

(President of the Thornton Banking Company, Nevada).

   The following outline, briefly narrated, is a sketch of the career of Paul F. Thornton, a man of recognized worth wherever known, whose present substantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own perserverance (sic); and the facts connected with his operations and their results truly show what a person of determination and courage can accomplish.  Dr. William T. Thornton, his father, was a native of Caroline county, Va., but after growing up in Oldham county, Ky., he left there in 1832 and moved to Jacksonville, Ill., from whence he located to Henry county, Mo., in 1839.  In December, 1874, his death occurred.  The wife of Dr. Thornton was formerly Miss Caroline Taylor, of Oldham county, Ky., and she died in 1847, leaving four children:  William T., of Santa Fe, N.M.; James J., of Waco, Tex.; Caroline, wife of William S. Stone, late of Eddy, Tex.; and Paul F., whose name appears above.  The latter was born in Jacksonville, Ill., March 16, 1839, and having been taken to Henry county, Mo., when very young he grew to manhood in that locality, obtaining a thorough knowledge of farm life.  In 1856 he went to New Mexico in the employ of Waddle, Russell & Majors, but on his return in 1857 he entered Miami University, of Ohio, and spent three years.  Later on he entered upon a course of reading preparatory to following the legal profession as his calling, and during the session of 1860-61 he was a student at the law school in Louisville, Ky.  The outburst of war which had so long threatened the country led him to forego everything of a private nature, and in May, 1861, he joined Gen. Price as an escort, in which capacity he served two years, afterwards commanding a company in Woods’ battalion.  He was with Price in each serious engagement participated in by that gallant commander, and finally surrendered with him at Shreveport, La., in 1865.  Returning to Clinton, Mo., Mr. Thornton entered the law office of Mr. R. Allen and was associated with him until 1869.  In June, 1869, he came to Vernon county and organized what is now the Thornton Banking Co.  Since his settlement in this county various positions of responsibility and honor have been thrust upon him, for he has never been a political aspirant, though always willing to serve those whose interests have placed him in official life.  For eight years he discharged the duties of county judge, and for six years he was chairman of the congressional committee of the Democratic party of this district, with which party he has always been identified.  Judge Thornton was married in 1872, Miss Medora Rogers, daughter of the late Dr. John A. Rogers, of Clinton, becoming his wife.  Six children have blessed their union:  Fitzhugh, Katie, Harry, William, Lucy, and John Rogers.

[Transcribed by Julia Brown ]

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