Mrs. JOHN (Mary Gleason)THORNTON 1848-1927

THORTON, GLEASON, MURPHY, GUIDER, BRENNAN, CONNELLY, HAWES, DUNCAN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/10/2005 at 21:37:42

A Good Woman Gone
Lafayette township was shocked on Wednesday last to hear of the death of Mrs. Mary Thornton, relict of the late John Thornton and one of the pioneer mothers of the township. She passed away suddenly, being ill but a few days and up and around shortly before the end came.

Deceased was born at Janesville, Wisc., August 15, 1848, and came to this country with her parents in the early days. On January 27, 1864, she was married to John Thornton, who died in 1916. Twelve children were born to this union, three of whom preceded her to the grave. They are: Mrs. John Murphy, Waukon; Mrs. Lizzie Guider, Dubuque; Mrs. Matt Guider, Mrs. Gene Brennan, Lansing; Mrs. Bea Connelly, San Francisco, Calif.; Joe, Gold Butte, Mont.; Martin James, John, and Steve, Lansing, all of whom were present at the funeral except Joe.

Mrs. Thornton was a most beautiful character and the possessor of a most lovable disposition. She was naturally a good wife, kind and thoughtful mother and Truly good neighbor and friend. She made friends of all with whom she came in contact by her kindness and consideration for others and was a real home mother with all that true motherhood implies, devoting her life unselfishly to the comfort and happiness of her family and friends. In her demise a truly good woman has gone to her reward.

She is also survived by one brother, Michael Gleason, of Lafayette township, and two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Hawes, of Taylor, and Mrs. Margaret Duncan, of Sioux Falls, S.D.

The funeral was held from Wexford church, Sunday, Father Power celebrating High Mass and reaching a most comforting sermon. The church was crowded with relatives and sympathizing friends, testifying to the high esteem in which she was held. And thus, amidst the beauties of earth, when nature is at its est she was tenderly laid away in the family lot in the churchyard where she often strolled and near the home where she had lived with her loved ones for more than half a century. Relatives and friends from a distance attending the funeral were; Mr. and Mrs. Al Schoenfeld, Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Kreuger and son, Joe Murphy, Chicago; Mrs. George Metille; Mrs. E. J. Houlihan. Richard, Clare and Will Guider, Dubuque; Wm. Bohrer, Milwaukee, Wisc.; Mr. and Mrs. George Williams and son and Miss Katheryn Bohrer, Mason City.

Allamakee Journal; June 1927 - contributed by Jerry Brennan
note - Mary Gleason Thornton died June 1, 1927