Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 5th ed., 1887, Woodford Co. S. REUBEN THORNTON was born in Mercer County, Ky., October 21, 1826, and is the youngest son of Jerry and Sarah (Claxton) Thornton, the former a carpenter by trade, but a farmer the greater part of his life, who died in Mercer County. S. Reuben Thornton, when eight years of age, was taken by his father to Woodford County, where he was reared on a farm, and educated at the common schools. September 11, 1852, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Boone and Mary (Hamilton) McDonald, of Woodford County, and there have been born to him nine children, of whom seven are still living: Sarah J., Ellen B. (married to Henry Deringer), Wallace (who married J. Deringer), Mittie, Alleen, Giralda and Rena. Mr. Thornton, wife, Sarah J. and Ellen B. are members of the Christian Church. Wallace, Mittie, Alleen and Giralda are members of the Methodist Church South. Mr. Thornton is engaged in farming, and is the owner of 320 acres in Clover Bottom Precinct, Woodford County. Thornton Claxton Hamilton McDonald Deringer = Mercer-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/woodford/thornton.sr.txt