THOMSON, William M., merchant, Main Street, Pine Island. Born in Chenango county, NY in 1829. Married Mary A. Grady in 1853. She was born in Eamestown, Conn. in 1835. Emigrated to Wabasha county, this state in 1856 and settled in Lake City, one of the earliest settlers in that place, where he, with others, erected the first mill in that county. In 1857 sold to his partners and in 1860 came to this county and opened his business, where he has since made it his home. He has held important local offices for many years and is a highly esteemed citizen. Ella and Jennie are their living children. Lost one child, Nettie.
This biography was submitted by Kathy Bryan
Source: History of Goodhue County, Red Wing, Minnesota: Published in 1878 by Wood, Alley & Company, St. James Building, Red Wing.
THORNTON, John, 72 resident of Wabasha County for 51 years, died at his home in Gillford Sunday after an illness of nearly a year. Despite his illness his sudden death in his sleep came as a shock to his family and friends who had every hope for his recover.
Mr. Thornton was born on Oct. 28, 1867, in Norton, Yorkshire, England. He, with a few friends, emigrated to America in March 1888, later coming to Wabasha county. He worked for different farmers for a time, but finally rented a farm and went into business for himself. He later bought the present farm in Gillford.
On April 18, 1898, he was married to Miss Honora Sexton, daughter of John and Mary Sexton of Millville, at St Patrick's church in West Albany. Mrs Thornton survives her husband. To this union there were born ten children, as follows: Sister Mary Theona of St Teresa College, Winona; Anne of Minneapolis, Rose of Rochester, Mrs Rudolph Timm of Zumbro Falls, Mrs Arthur Schroeder of Hibbing, William and Edmund who live on farms adjoining the home farm, and James and Richard at home. One child died in infancy. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Margaret and Kathryn Thornton, Thomas and Wayne Schroeder and Frederick Timm.
Deceased, familiarly know as Jack Thornton, has been a resident of Wabasha for 51 years and leaves a host of friends to mourn his loss. Mr Thornton was a devoted member of St. Patrick's church in West Albany, from which he was buried on Tuesday morning with the Rev Urban C.Buchheit officiating.
Clergymen from away who attended the funeral were the Rev Thos. P. Doyle of Brownsdale, and the Rev Richard Barden of Caledonia both having previously served as pastors of West Albany.
Relatives and friends of the family who attended the funeral were Leslie Thornton, Frances Thornton, Mr and Mrs Donald Thornton all of Rochester, Mr and Mrs William Potter and Mr and Mrs Otis R Preston of Minnepolis; Sister Mary Venantia, Sister Mary Virgilius, Mrs L. Voyer, Mrs. M. O'Toole, Mr and Mrs Frank Laqua and Francis Laqua of St Paul; Eileen Sexton , Winona and Henry Baker of Starkweather ND.
Fred Knaup, Hugh Leonard, Dan Ryan, Frank Barnes, Hugh Hayes and George Gilsdorf were the pallbeareres.
This biography was submitted by S. Sexton
Source: Lake City Graphic, Dec. 1939
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