Biographical Sketch of W. A. Thornton, Lafayette County, Missouri

>From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled
from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo.
Historical Company, 1881.
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Lieut. W. A. Thornton, grain dealer, P. O. Aullville.  Born in Orange
county, Virginia, December 12, 1827.  The first school he attended was
at Gordonsville.  When quite young, he went to Cooper county, Missouri
where he grew to manhood and finished his education.  In May, 1861, he
enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, at Jefferson City, as Lieuten-
ant, in Capt. McCulloch's Company.  This battalion was soon after
reorganized, at Cowskin Prairie.  William Brown was elected colonel of
the regiment, Robert M. McCulloch, lieutenant-colonel; R. A. McCulloch,
captain of his company, and he still holding the office of lieutenant.
He fought in the battles of Boonville, Drywood, Lexington, Pea Ridge,
Corinth, Iuka, Bolivar, Denmark and Sweden, Ft. Pillow, Holly Springs,
and in all other engagements in which his command was engaged.  In 1865,
he was surrendered by Gen. Taylor to Gen. Canby.  At that time he be-
longed to the Second Missouri Cavalry.  Dr. Thomas Fields, of Alma, 
C. T. Ford, and himself are the only members of that company now in 
Lafayette county.  He was in the first democratic convention, of Freedom
township, held after the war, for the purpose of appointing a county
general committee.  He afterwards went to Lexington, and engaged in 
merchandising for several years.  Then he went to St. Louis, and was
engaged in the commission business for two years.  From there he went
to Concordia, and engaged in the grain business; first, in partnership
with Dr. J. H. Woolridge, and lastly, with Mr. Frerking.  In 1873, he 
came to Aullville, and embarked in the grain business again, where he is
at present, handling immense quantities of grain.  As a soldier he has a
clear record, and as a citizen, is at the zenith of popularity with his
acquaintances.

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