My Genealogy Hound

Francis A. Thornton, of Mountain Glen, Mill Township, Garland County, was born in Trout County, Ga., in 1849, being the son of Robert and Sarah J. (Fielder), both natives of Georgia. The father was engaged in the woolen-mill business nearly all his life, and was married about 1840. They were the parents of ten children: Georgiana (now Mrs. Mays), Napoleon B., Thomas N., Henrietta J. (the wife of Charles Keith), Sarah R. (wife of Harris Keith), Victoria (wife of Albert T. Trim), Louina P. (deceased), Caladonia (deceased), Eldorada (now Mrs. Nelson) and Francis A. (the subject of this sketch.) Mr. Thornton was a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Methodist Church. He died in 1876. His wife, who was born in 1827, was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in 1883. F. A. Thornton began farming for himself at the age of twenty. In 1860 he left Georgia and moved to Texas, where he continued agricultural pursuits for the next five years, coming thence to Arkansas and purchasing a farm. To this he has since added, so that he now has between 1,000 and 1,200 acres, with 200 acres under cultivation. In 1869 he married Miss Nancy Partain, who died in 1874, leaving one child, Francis J. He took for his second wife Virginia L. Mayers, the daughter of M. Mayers, to whom he was married in 1880. They are the parents of three children: Francis A., Marie L. and Robert A. Mr. Thornton is a miller by trade, and also a distiller, in which business he has been engaged since 1882. He also owns a cotton gin and two saw and shingle mills, besides some real estate in Hot Springs. It is said that the water-power of his grist-mill is the finest on the Ouachita River or in the State. Mr. Thornton is worth about $15,000, and is recognized as among the most influential men in the county. His wife was born in Virginia in 1857, her mother being a native of Switzerland and of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Mayers were the parents of six children: William H. L., Harriet C., Mary E., Ellen D., Martha L. and Virginia L. They are now residents of Texas. Mr. Thornton was appointed postmaster in 1877, which office he yet fills. He is an influential Democrat of the community. Dr. M. Mayers, father-in-law of Mr. Thornton, was born in Maryland in 1818, his parents being Abraham Mayers and Catharine Gilbert, natives of Pennsylvania. They had a family of ten children, of whom, at this date, only two brothers remain. The senior Mayers owned a farm and carried on milling and other industries, but, unfortunately, by endorsing, everything was taken. Subsequently he carried on the hotel business in Maryland, District of Columbia and Pennsylvania for some eleven years, with a family of three girls and five boys. The parents retiring from life, friends procured young Mayers a situation in a drug store, where he remained for eight years. Learning from his brother of the great advantage or fortune to be made in Arkansas, he set out for the new “Eldorado” in 1840 (a long time before Greeley said, “Go West, young man,”) by stage, canal and steamer from Pittsburgh. Embarking in the drug business, he opened up the first drug store in Fort Smith, where a cosmopolite community composed the inhabitants, numbering some 100 citizens. The town was laid off by Capt. John Rogers. A Government fort was partially built, and a military post was then the head of navigation. Fort Smith was the depot for supplying forts in the Indian Nation. Trade grounds extended over hundreds of miles, annuities were paid regularly to the five civilized tribes, and in dealing with the Indians Mr. Mayers early saw that they needed something besides drugs. His business became general and prosperous until the “crash’’ in 1860, and then chaos reigned for years. Finally he took up his residence in Paris, Tex., in 1872. He has passed the allotted period of “three score and ten” with good health, and at present has no fault to find with the past. What a contrast the present offers to the surroundings of the 40’s, when a mail arrived every two weeks; the Indian with his train of ponies laden with peltries; no press to advertise one’s wares; hundreds of miles of uncertain navigation; river down, and no boats for a year; goods high in price; salt 25 cents per pound. Surely, a great change has occurred. Hot Springs, in 1848, had one hotel and one bath-tub. Arkansas must or ought to develop, as the natural resources become known. Mr. Mayer’s wife, Marie L. Perrey, is a native of Switzerland, born in 1831, and emigrated to America in 1835. They were married in 1848. She has one sister, Louisa, living in Paris, Tex. (1889.)