Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 359
J. J. THORNTON, residing on section 15, Fruitland Township, was born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1819, and was the second in a family of ten children born to Thomas and Sarah ( Johnson ) Thornton. The parents were also natives of Guilford County, and their children are yet living : Henry, who is married and resides in North Carolina ; Thomas, who is married and resides in Hancock County, Ill., where he is engaged in farming ; Elias, who is married and engaged in farming in his native State ; Shubal, also married, is a farmer of Bartholomew County, Ind.; Alfred is married, and resides on the old homestead ; Sarah, now Mrs. Poe, is living in North Carolina ; Alson, who was one of the pioneers of Muscatine Island, was married and came to Iowa at an early day, where his death occurred in 1879, after which his widow was again married, and now resides in Kansas. The father of this family was a farmer by occupation, and resided in his native State, until his death, which occurred in 1868, at the age of seventy-three years. His excellent wife, who survives him, resides on the old homestead at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district schools of his native State. After completeing his education, he engaged in teaching, following the profession for about six years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for seven years in North Carolina, and in 1858 went to Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., where he again followed that line of business. He later engaged in farming, which he carried on until 1879, when he came West, locating in Muscatine County, Iowa. In 1884 he purchased thhirty-five acres of land near the city limits, and engaged in gardening, and fruit raising, making a specialty of growing sweet potatoes. He also owns fifty acres of land on the Island, where he first settled. His products are sold mostly to the home market, amd whether vegetables or fruits, are of the best grades and quality.

At Fountain City, Ind., in 1860, Mr.Thornton was united in marriage with Jane Beard, a native of North Carolina and a daughter of David and Marian ( Stewart ) Beard, who were also born in the same State. Her father was a mechanic and followed his trade throughout his life. In 1858 he removed to Indiana, where he was employed in a plow shop until his death, which occurred about twenty years ago. His wife survived him for only two years. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm near Richmond, Ind., and to them have been born two children : Willis and Charles, who are both at home, and assist their father in the labors of the farm.

In the campaign of 1840 Mr. Thornton took a very active part, and now casts his ballot with the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Society of Friends. They are both highly respected people in the community where they reside, and are numbered among Muscatine County's best citizens. Mr Thornton is one of the prominent fruit growers of Muscatine Island, with whose history he has been identified for several years. He assisted in the organization of Fruitland Township, and is prominent in the promotion of any enterprise which has for its object the welfare of the community.

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