It is not commonplace to say, that when a good man dies, those who knew him best have suffered an irreparable loss, and the community in which he lived had subtracted from its activities an appreciable force. It would seem that we are not mindful enough of the virtues of our friends, until they have left us, so accustomed are we to expecting much of them. And yet this confidence in their ability to achieve notable results and accomplish difficult enterprises is the sincerest praise that could be accorded them.

The subject of our sketch was born in Talbot County, Sept. 9th, 1842. He entered the confederate service early in 1861 serving in Western Virginia that year, and afterwards actively participated in all the campaigns of the army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Lee, the greater part of the time holding the rank of Captain.

At the close of his devoted service for the south, Captain Thornton returned to Talbotton and a year later was elected Clerk of the Superior Court, which office he held two years.

He then engaged in commercial enterprises, in which he achieved notable success. He organized the Talbotton Railroad Company, and was largely instrumental in building the road, to which he was elected President, retaining that position twenty-four years.

He also built the only large brick hotel in Talbotton, known as the Thornton House.

As a businessman he displayed remarkable executive ability and he retained during his life the confidence and esteem of the community.

In 1867, he was happily married to Miss Julia Weeks, of Talbotton. Two children, William J. and Mrs. Martha Wilkerson, with Mrs. Thornton survive him. He was a man of liberal endowments and generous impulses, a true friend, a tender father and husband, a noble gentleman. He died June 16th, 1905.

L.W. Smith
H.F. Wilkerson
O.D. Gorman