My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. THORNTON is a Virginian, and son of Reuben Thornton of the same State, born in 1797, and married to Mary Tiffen in 1818, by whom he had nine children. They came to Tennessee in 1833, and here the father farmed, and died in 1863. The mother died in 1864. James M. was born in 1822, and received a limited education in the district schools, but by desultory reading and study now has a good English and business education. At the age of twenty-one he became overseer for James Vance, with whom he remained three years. In the meantime, in 1844, he married Lucinda, daughter of William and Mary Vance. She was born in Alabama in 1825, and bore her husband eight children, seven of whom are living: William A., Mary E., John M., P. L., R. D., R. B., J. B., T. H. (deceased) and Laura J. Our subject was overseer for Mat Vance a number of years, and then came to Lincoln County, and for six years did business for Henry Kelso, and then entered the employ of Dr. B. Bonner, and looked after the interests of his plantation. After renting land two years he, in 1866, purchased 287 acres of land, which cost between $10,000 and $11,000. He afterward purchased 450 acres of land at a cost of $16,000. He gave this land to his four sons. Mr. Thornton began married life very poor in purse, but by industry and good business qualifications has a fine home and a comfortable competency, He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk. He belongs to the Masons and has reached the degree of Chapter in that Order. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he and his sons are strong advocates of temperance.