Adaline Thornton was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina on the 30th day of March 1831. She died at Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa on the 18th day of July, 1918 at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 19 days. She was the daughter of James and Sarah Thornton, who preceded her many years ago. She had six brothers and two sisters of whom none are living. She came to Iowa with her father and mother, one sister and two brothers in 1856, then being 25 years old. She sought and found Christ and was baptised(sic) when about 20 years old, then joining the Baptist church, of which she was a member for several years. She later united with the Christian church and has been a member of it until death called her to join the everlasting church of Christ and the Heavenly throng. The funeral service was held at Honey Creek church Friday afternoon. Rev. Henry Hickman officiating.Adaline Thornton was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina on the 30th day of March 1831. She died at Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa on the 18th day of July, 1918 at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 19 days. She was the daughter of James and Sarah Thornton, who preceded her many years ago. She had six brothers and two sisters of whom none are living. She came to Iowa with her father and mother, one sister and two brothers in 1856, then being 25 years old. She sought and found Christ and was baptised(sic) when about 20 years old, then joining the Baptist church, of which she was a member for several years. She later united with the Christian church and has been a member of it until death called her to join the everlasting church of Christ and the Heavenly throng. The funeral service was held at Honey Creek church Friday afternoon. Rev. Henry Hickman officiating.
DANIEL THORNTON DEAD Veteran of War and Pioneer of Union Neighborhood Passes. Union, IA April 2nd--D.R. Thornton, one of the early members of the colony of North Carolinians to settle in this vicinity, was buried here Sunday. Mr. Thornton came here when yet a young man, and in 1862 was married to Sarah A. Reece. of New Providence. The pioneer home was on Honey creek, and Mr. and Mrs. Thornton chose(sic) to remain in the same neighborhood among their relatives and many friends until two years ago, when they moved to Union. Their home was brightened by five children. They are Alvin, of Union; Mrs. V.W. Williams, of Iowa Falls, Mrs. William Warrington, of Union; Mrs. Nettie Manning, of Hubbard and Fred E. of New Providence. The deceased who was always a devoted lover of home and family, willingly gave his service to his country. Oct. 27, 1864, and suffered the hardships of war until July 21, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from Company S. of the Thirteenth Infantry. Mr. Thornton possessed a cheerful, straightforward disposition and always enjoyed helping others. The funeral services were conducted at the Christian church Sunday at 2:30 P.M. by Rev. T.N. Hauser. Rev. Henry Hickman spoke a few words.
Monroe Thornton Former New Providence Resident Passed Away November 4 at Home Near Owasa. A former well known resident of Providence township died at his home near Owasa, Iowa. November 4, 1919. I.M. Thornton, son of John and Julina Thornton, was born October 22, 1852, near Honey Creek, and died November 4, 1919, at his home near Owasa, aged 67 year,(sic) and 12 days. He had been about his work the day before and went to bed feeling as well as usual. About 12:30 his wife was awakened by his heavy breathing. She at once arose and lighted the lamp and stepped to his side to find he has already passed to the great beyond. He was a man of sterling character and loved by all who knew him. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was married in June, 1879 to Almira Lundy. To this union were born five children: Minta, who died in early childhood; Clarence of Golden, Colorado; Lillie, of Deer Trail, Colorado; Guy of Popjoy, Iowa, and Gurney, at home. These with the wife, eight grandchildren, three brothers, and three sisters are left to mourn the loss of a loving father, husband and brother. When a young man he was converted and joined the Christian church. Later he joined the Friends church of which he was a member at the time of his death.
James Levander Thornton, son of John and Julina Thornton, was born Jan. 16, 1859, and departed this life, at his home in New Providence, October 20th, 1928. Age 69 years, 9 months, 4 days. His entire life was spent in Providence township. On Feb. 1st, 1883, he was married to Emaline L. Skellenger. this union were born six children, Harry, who died in early childhood, Eugene who diedin service during the World War, Ralph, Claude, Charlie and Inez, and three Grandchildren Chas. W., Elwood F,. Erma Jean, all of whom live in this Vicinity. He was a man of strong convictions and deliked(sic) show or pretense. Besides the immediate family he leaves to mourn his loss the following brothers and sisters: S.C. Thornton and Rose Rash of New Providence, Mrs. E.M. Deal of Waterloo and Mrs. Ada M. Wood of Cedar Falls. Though in poor health for a number of months, J.L. Thornton was only confined to his bed a few days before his death which occurred last Saturday afternoon. Funeral services in charge of Edd(sic) Thompson and John Hadley were held at the home on Monday afternoon with interment in the Honey Creek Cemetery. Fred Mitchell sang with Mrs. Clarence Johnson accompanying at the piano. The pall bearers were all relatives of the deceased and were Ed Reece of Zearing, Marley, Ross, K.K., J.L., and Miles Reece all of this place. Had he lived until Jan. 16, 1929, Levander Thornton would have been 70 years old. Of his immediate family who survive are his wife and four children, Ralph, Claude, and Inez Floyd of this place and Charles of Union. One son died in early childhood and another, Gene, during the World War. One brother, S.C. of this place and three sisters, Rosa Rash also of this place. Mrs. E.M. Deal, of Waterloo, Mrs. Ada Wood of Cedar Falls, also survive and were present at the funeral. The deceased had lived almost his entire life in the community and will be missed by the many other relatives and friends who are left. The funeral of J.L. Thornton was held Monday afternoon at 2:30 from Mr. Thornton's late residence in town. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Ed. Thompson of Sulley assited(sic) by Rev. J.H. Hadley of Honey Creek. Fred Mitchell sang two solos accompanied by Mrs. Clarence Johnson. The beautiful floral offerings were cared for by Mrs. L.K. Reece and Mrs. C.A. Norman. Those from away who were at the funeral were Mrs. and Mr. E.M. Deal, Waterloo; Mrs. Ada Wood and daughter of Cedar Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Reece, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Chance, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Deal and Mrs. Springer of Zearing, Chas. Skellinger, Clinton; Guy Thornton, Alden; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kramer, Eldora; Mr. and Mrs. Riley Adamson and Amanda Davis, Bangor. The burial was in Honey Creek cemetery.(sic)
John Thornton was born Dec. 15, 1823 in Yadkin county, North Carolina, and was 72 years, 10 months and 10 days old at his death--Oct. 25, 1896, at 3 o'clock A.M. He was converted and joined the Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 20 years and remained a Christian to the last. Feb. 6, 1851, he was married to Julina Reece, in Yadkin county, North Carlina.(sic) April 29, 1851, with a company of forty-seven people, he started from North Carolina by team for Iowa, arriving in Henry county just two months from the day they left and after a few days rest there and at Richland they again preceded(sic) north and arrived at Bangor Sept. 1, the same year. Here they again stopped to rest their weary teams, part of the company staying at Bangor, and the others coming on the(sic) Hardin county, pitches(sic) their tents on Honey Creek until they could build their roughly hewed log cabins. He built his first house near where his son Monroe now lives. He and Wm. Reece made a number of long, lonesome and eventful trips for the necessities of life. He was a man of deep set convictions, full of energy and faith to the very last moment. He ever strove to live with conscience void of offense and his constant aim was to raise his family to be God-fearing and God-serving life. He called his family to his bedside while yet able to talk and advised them. He disired(sic) that the seventeenth chapter of John be read which was done, then calling his loved family one by one he gave them his parting counsel and benediction, asking each to meet him in heaven. But a few moments before his death he prayed the Master to come and take him from his pain to be forever with his Lord and Master. He leaves a wife and seven children, four boys and three girls to mourn his loss, and one daughter having died June 14, 1871, at the age of 19.
The funeral of Mrs. Julina Thornton was held at Honey Creek today at 11 o'clock conducted by Rev. W.H. Hickman. The Pall bearers were Artie and Glenn Rash, Clarence, Guy, Del, and Ralph Thornton, all grandsons of the deceased. Mrs. Thornton was one of the early settlers of this township, having located here in what is now Providence township in the year 1851, and has had a residence here ever since. Julina, daughter of Levi and Ruth Reece, was born in North Carolina in the year 1831 and lived there until after her marriage to J.J. Thornton, after which they came to Iowa as above stated. She was the mother of eight children, four boys and four girls, seven of which survive her, one girl, and the husband, having preceded her to the world beyond. Deceased was converted early in life and joined the Baptist Church, and has lived an exemplary life ever since, so that we sorrow not for her as those who have no hope, but we believe that our loss is her eternal gain. Deceased died May 18, at the home of her son-in-law, B.J. Rash, of heart trouble. Date May 18, 1905.
SARAH THORNTON DEAD Death claimed one of the real pioneers of Hardin County Friday when Mrs. Sarah Ann Thornton, 92 died at their home in Union. She was a member of the Reece family which settled in the Honey Creek neighborhood of Providence township in 1851. Mrs. Thornton's death was due to apoplexy the thirds stroke of which she suffered Wednesday. She had been an invalid for three years. Mrs. Thornton was a daughter of Levi and Ruth Reece and was born in Yadkin County, North Carolina June 12, 1836. She was one of ten children and the last but one to survive. A younger brothers(sic) Zachary Reece, 77 years old, lives at New Providence. In 1851 the Reece family came here from North Carolina in a covered wagon drawn by ox team, being a little more than four months on the way. Levi Reece and his brother, William settled on Honey Creek, in Providence township and were the first permanent settlers in that township. While their cabins were being built the Reece family lived in the new settlement of Bangor in Marshall county. Sarah Ann Reece became the wife of Daniel Thornton Oct. 13, 1862 at New Providence. Mr. Thornton died in 1913. Surviving Mrs. Thornton are one son, Alva(sic) who has helped care for his mother during her illness and three daughters, Mrs. William Warrington of Union, Mrs. V.W. Williams, Iowa Falls, and Mrs. H.J. Manning of Hubbard. A son, Fred, died in 1915. Funeral services where held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in charge of the pastor, Rev. Briggs. Music was furnished by Mesdames(sic) L.W. Johnson and Bess Hauser, Messrs. E.D. Herron and R.L. Bixby with Mrs. Manie Wilson accompanist. The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased and the flowers were in charge of relatives.