"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



In presenting the biographical memoir of this well-remembered gentleman, whose life was that of a high-grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, it is believed that the youthful reader, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, will be much benefited and encouraged.

Col. John James Thornton, one of the leading lawyers and popular public officials of Watonwan county of the past generation, and a gallant officer in the Civil War, was born in Ohio in 1841, and he received an excellent education in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He first prepared himself for a career as engineer, but later took up the study of law. He came to St. James, Minnesota, in 1871 and here he was admitted to the bar and was the first lawyer in Watonwan county. He was successful and built up a large clientage, continuing in practice at St. James until 1901, taking part in the important cases coming up in this locality for a period of thirty years and was a prominent and familiar figure in the local courts. He was postmaster under Cleveland's administration for four years, and he served as county attorney from 1874 to 1878. He was an ardent Democrat and a leader in his party in this section of the state. He was a charter member of Libanus Lodge No. 96, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he was also a Knight Templar.

Colonel Thornton was married on November 6, 1867, to Harriet B. Brown of Springhill, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where she was born on February 27, 1846. She is a daughter of Jonathan C. and Harriet Louisa (Hulburt) Brown. The father was born in New York, October 12, 1815, and the mother was born in Hartford, Connecticut, November 14, 1815. After their marriage they resided at Springhill, Pennsylvania, the first sixteen years, then removed to Juneau, Wisconsin, in 1853, and there the death of the father occurred on January 22, 1882, the mother surviving until 1892. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Stanley, who was first lieutenant in the Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and whose death occurred on May 13, 1868; Mrs. W. D. Warner lives in Juneau, Wisconsin; Earnest E. Brown lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Mrs. Augusta C. Trowbridge lives in Madelia, Minnesota; Harriet, widow of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. T. M. Miller lives in Buffalo, New York; Ivan Brown lived in Juneau, Wisconsin, now deceased; Millie is unmarried; and Mrs. C. M. Petibole lives in Wapun, Wisconsin.

To Colonel Thornton and wife five children were born, four of whom died in infancy; John James, who survived, is now superintendent of the Bradstreet Company of Memphis, Tennessee. He married Emma Mishler.

Mrs. Thornton is a member of the Episcopal church, and the rest of the family attends this church. She has a pleasant home in St. James, where she has a host of warm friends.



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