J. D. Thornton is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and born in 1828, and is a son of Eli and Abagail (little) Thornton, both natives of Pennsylvania. J. D.'s early education was limited to the subscription school of his home. He learned the trade of blacksmithing in his father's shop.

This he followed ten years, when he left the forge to enlist in the service of his countr y. He served in the army through the Mexican war. His soldierly qualities were soon recognized, and he was appointed to fill the first vacancy in Capt. Pember­ ton's company, to which he belonged, which was the office of sergeant. He was with Scott when he made his campaign to the city of Mexico. Then he joined the 17. S. marines and went to West Africa to suppress the slave trade. In 1862 he again enlisted in the 124th Ill. Vol. Inf., company G, and served three years as sergeant. He was with Grant and in all the rear battles at Vicksburg, the siege of the Spanish Fort, and the taking of Mobile, making in all seven years he has served his country as a soldier.

In 1849 he came to Illinois and settled at Millersburg where he has since resided. J. D. Thornton was married in 1855 to Lucy Wharton, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Martha Wharton. She died in 1871. He was married a second time to Letticia L. Carver, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jesse Carver, a descendant of Gov. Carver, first governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Thornton has been a republican since the organization of the party.

 

History of Mercer & Henderson Counties

 

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Illinois Ancestors