Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1897 — Death of Henry T. Thornton. [ARTICLE]

Death of Henry T. Thornton.

Henry T. Thornton died at his home in the north part ol town, about 3 o’clock p. m. last Saturday, Nov. 27th at the age of 74 years, 9 months and 4 days. Mr. Thornton, who in spite of his rather advanced age, had previously enjoyed vigorous health, was taken by a stroke of paralysis, on July 12, 1896, and since that time has been a helpless and hopeless invalid. About four days before his death he was taken with that fatal malady of gangrene, in both feet, which was the immediate cause of his death. Mr. Thornton was born in Champaign Co. O , Feb. 25, 1823. He came to this county with his parents Mathew F. and Mercy Thornton, in 1844, and has been a resident for more than 53 years. Not long after settling here, he married Susannah Wyatt, who died in 1861. Six children were born to them, of whom two only survive, Mrs. Samantha St Clair and Mrs. Mary Stone. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A., of the 87th Indiana regiment, and faithfully served his country for about 18 months. He was then honorably discharged, on the account of sickness. April 10, 1865, he married Mrs. Adaline Pillows, a sister of S. C. Hammond, of our city. She survives him, as do also their two children, Dora May and Joel C Thornton.

He united with the Free Will Baptist church in 1842 and remained a faithful member and a devout and earnest Christian, until his death. He was a good citiezn and an honorable man in all his ways. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, at the Free Will Baptist church, the religious services being conducted by Rev. B. F. Ferguson assisted by Rev. D. A. Tucker. The funeral was a very large one, those present being far in excess of the capacity of the church to contain them. Interment was in Weston cemetery.