Untitled - citizen hylbom blog

848 SOUTHEASTEKjS^ MASSACHUSETTS
March 9, 1737; Daniel, Jime 8, 1739 (died
Sept. 5, 1748); Ebenezer, March 31, 1742;
Phebe, Sept. 3, 1744; Elisha, July 12, 1747,
and Mary, Sept. 23, 1750.
(IV) Elisha Thornton, of Smithfield, R. I.,
son of Ebenezer, born July 12, 1747, married
place and learned the business of druggist
under his father. Their place of business was
on the corner of Union and Bethel streets, and
their establishment was the leading one of its
kind in New Bedford. He was succeeded by
his brother Elisha, Jr., in the drug business,
while he engaged in other mercantile affairs
years was one of the leading physicians of New
Bedford. Mrs. Thornton died in middle life,
the mother of two children, a daughter that
died young, and a son, Walter Spooner, who
died unmarried.
(VI) Elisha Thornton, Jr., son of Elisha
(2) and Rebecca (Russell) Thornton, was born
Aug. 1, 1815, in New Bedford, Mass., and in
the schools of the place acquired his education.
Anna Eead. He was the Elisha Thornton who
according to the Friends' records was the eminent
minister of the Society of Friends, whose
death is of record as having occurred Dec. 31,
1816. He and his wife had thirteen children.
(V) Elisha Thornton (2), son of Elisha
and Anna, born April 6, 1780, in Smithfield,
R. I., was engaged as a druggist in New
Bedford, where he died Aug. 13, 1854. He
married 31st of 10th month, 1804, Rebecca
Russell, daughter of Humphrey and Bethiah
Russell, of Dartmouth, Mass., and their children,
according to the Friends' records, were :
Joseph Ricketson, born Aug. 8, 1805 ; Sarah
Ann, born Nov. 15, 1806; John Russell, born
Oct. 8, 1808; Gilbert Russell, born Dec. 31,
1810; Mary B., born Jan. His father and older brother, John R. Thornton,
being druggists, Elisha followed in their
footsteps, becoming skilled in the business
under their direction. In time Elisha became
established in business for himself on North
Water street. Later on he became successor
to his father and brother at the old stand and
conducted the business for many years. He
became one of the owners of the Thornton
block, which was erected on the site of his
former place of business and later became
known as the Standard building. Subsequently
he carried on his business on the northwest
15,. 1814; Elisha, corner of Union and Second streets, and he
born Aug.. 1, 1815; Rebecca, born March 16, opened a second store on the corner of Union
1817; Daniel; Virginia; Frances, and Kath- and Purchase streets. For a period Mr. Thornerine.ton
had associated with him in business the late
(VI) John Russell Thornton, son of Eli- William L. Gerrish, the style of firm being
sha (2) and Rebecca (Russell) Thornton, was Thornton & Gerrish. On Jan. 1, 1873, both
born in New Bedford Oct. 8, 1808. He re- stores were disposed of to Messrs. C. H. and
ceived his educational training in his native H. A. Lawton, he himself retiring from busi-
ness.
First a Whig, then a Republican, in his political
affiliations, Mr. Thornton was active
and zealous in politics. He was for years
chairman of the Republican city committee.
In the year 1857 he represented his ward on
the board of aldermen. He was six times
elected a county commissioner, holding such
and was largely interested in whaling in association
with Willard Nye and Dennis Wood.
Mr. Thornton was a thoroughly successful business
man of rare ability, and throughout his
life held a reputation for strict integrity that
not only commanded respect but marked him
as one whose efforts were worthy of emulation.
From 1867 until his death he was a director in
the Mechanics' B^nk and was a member of the
board of investment of the New Bedford Institution
for Savings. He was a charter member
of Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows and a
member of the Unitarian Church. A Democrat
in his political faith, he never cared for or
sought public oflfice. He was a well-known
figure in New Bedford, and reached a ripe old
age, passing away on Dec. office at the time of his demise ; and for several
years he was chairman of the board. His first
election to the office of county commissioner
was as the successor of John Baylies, who
died in 1863.
One has only to read between the lines of
this outline of the life of Mr. Thornton to
1, 1893, at his home
on the corner of Spring and Seventh streets,
and he was buried in the Rural cemetery.
Mr. Thornton married Sophia, daughter of
Dr. Paul Spooner, who for more than fifty
judge of his standing with the people of not
only New Bedford but Bristol county, for
through his long official relation he had become
well known all over the county. He was
universally esteemed and respected. Mr.
Thornton died July 24, 1879, at his home on
Cottage street. New Bedford.
Mr. Thornton married Marv Howland Allen,
of New Bedford, daughter of Thomas and
Phebe (Howland) Allen, and she survived
him many years, dying in June, 1900. They
had the following' children: Anna, born Sept.
30, 1839, died in infancy; Edward B., bom