Obituary : Martin D. Thornton
Martin D. Thornton was born March 7, 1867, in Taswell County, Illinois, and
died April 23, 1902, near Wakeeney, Trego County, Kansas. At the time of his
death he was 35 years 1 month and 16 days old. When he was but a child, his
parents came with their family to this state, settling for a time near
Atchison, from which place they moved to Nemaha county and lived for several
years on the tract known as the "wheat farm," southwest of
Centralia. They moved, later, to a farm near Vermillion. In Vermillion,
February 24, 1890, he was united in married to Mollie Smith. With his wife
and little ones he made his home near Vermillion and Centralia, successively,
until January, 1902, when he went with his family to Trego county, with the
expectation of making that his future home. In three short months he was
stricken with pneumonia and, in all the strength and vigor of his manhood,
was taken from earth, after a brief but severe illness. The news of his
sudden death was a most sorrowful surprise to relatives and friends in this
vicinity to whom Mart had endeared himself by his many sterling qualities.
He was ever known as an honest, earnest, energetic man, in whom any might
safely trust; also as bearing a character of Christian-like cheerfulness,
happiness and generous kindness rarely seen and truly God-given. His friends
grieve much that he whom they so loved and respected, will no more greet them
as of old. He was a kind, devoted husband and father, and his memory will
ever live in the hearts of wife and children with loving gratitude, though
with tears of sorrowful pain at his loss. Father, mother, sister and brothers
were with him at his death, and, with his bereaved family mourn him most
sincerely. Mr. Thornton was an honored member of the Centralia Lodge No. 58,
A.O.U.W., and many brother lodge members attended his funeral. Funeral
services were held Monday at 2 o'clock at Vermillion, to which the body had
been conveyed for interment. Rev. Claithan of the Vermillion Christian
church, officiated. The ceremonies were conducted by the members of
A.O.U.W., concluding by the solemn, impressive burial rites at the cemetery.
Those who had gathered to pay their last respects to a beloved friend,
dispersed quietly, with feelings of heartfelt sympathy for the sorrowing ones
now deprived of his love and care.
Martin Thornton died a week ago Wednesday at his home in Wakeeny, Kansas, and
was buried in the Vermillion cemetery Monday afternoon. Mr. Thornton was a
resident of this county until about a year ago when he moved to Trego county.
His family have a large circle of friends in the country southwest of here
who sympathize with them in their bereavement.
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