BIOGRAPHY: Hiram Thornton, Cayuga co., New York transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com) ========================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm ========================================================= BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894 HIRAM THORNTON. In the annals of Cayuga County no name stands higher for industry and integrity or sheds a clearer lustre than that of Thornton; and the gentleman designated at the head of this sketch is a worthy representative of the family bearing that name, who have been identified with the interests of this vicinity since the early part of the present century. Mr. Thornton occupies an honored position among the prosperous and wealthy farmers of Cayuga County; and, with a clean record of years fruitful with deeds of usefulness and kindness, and happy in having won the respect and esteem of his fellow-men, he is now nearing the last milestone of life's journey, having been born on July 12, 1812, in the town of Fleming. The first members of the Thornton family in America were two brothers, who came from England as soldiers in the English army during the time of the French and Indian War. One of these brothers settled in Virginia, and the other became a resident of New England. From the latter, Jesse Thornton, the paternal grandfather of Hiram was descended. Jesse Thornton, who was born and reared in New England, was a veteran of the Revolution. He stood sentinel at the gate at West Point when the arch-traitor, Benedict Arnold, passed out to join the British. After the close of the war Jesse Thornton came to Cayuga County, and first settled in the town of Ledyard, where he resided a few years, removing then to Fleming, and there passing the remaining days of his life. He married Ann Hill while a resident of his New England home, which was the birthplace of several of their children, including a son, Stephen. Stephen Thornton left the shelter of the parental roof-tree when a youth of sixteen years, with eighteen pence in his pocket, his only available assets. He walked the entire distance of eighty miles from his home to Cambridge, Washington County, N.Y., where he soon found employment on a farm, with wages of ten dollars a month. He worked industriously, and, by dint of economy and thrift, was enabled after a time to send his father a suit of clothes and one hundred and twenty-five dollars in clear cash, and from that period considered himself free to do for himself. Possessing a clear and active brain, in a spirit of enterprise he made a trip to the North or Hudson River, and there embarked I in the business of getting out dock-sticks and making shingles, which he rafted to Albany to sell. He was in that city when Robert Fulton was making his first experiments with steamboats. In 1806 he came to Cayuga County, making the journey from Washington County on horseback, in company with two commissioners who had been appointed to select a location for the court-house. He bought a tract of timbered land in the town of Fleming, west of Fleming Hill, and at once began to improve a farm. His means were very limited, in consequence of which he had to go in debt for his land. Times were hard, money was scarce, and he knew not how to meet his obligations. While in this dilemma he started for Allegany County, and there bought standing timber, some of which he converted into coarse lumber, and the remainder into shingles. Then, making two rafts, he entrusted one to his brother: the other he took himself down the Alleghany and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati, where he disposed of it at a good advantage. His brother, however, less fortunate than himself, encountered low water, and only got as far as Pittsburg, where he met him on his return trip. After an absence of fifteen months, during which time he had been engaged in various enterprises, he returned to Fleming with sufficient money to clear himself from debt. He engaged in general farming with great success; and, with characteristic enterprise, he opened a store for the sale of general merchandise on his farm. He used to team his produce to Albany or Utica, and there buy at wholesale the goods that he afterward retailed to his numerous patrons. After continuing this for a number of years he removed to Fleming Hill, where he erected a store and entered upon a mercantile career. Having amassed a competency, he spent his last years retired from the active pursuits of life, dying at the age of seventy-two years. His death was a sad loss to the community in which he had spent so many years of useful activity, and was universally lamented. His wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Purchase, died at the age of fifty-six years. Of the nine children born to her and her husband, four are now living; namely, Hiram, James, Seymour, and Mary J. Hiram Thornton, the subject of this brief biographical memoir, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and started for himself when a young man, with a capital of five hundred dollars. Being convinced that a small tract of land on which there was no indebtedness, well cultivated and cared for, was preferable to a large farm with a heavy mortgage, he bought twenty-five acres in the northern part of the town of Fleming, and there engaged in his chosen occupation for a time. He then purchased a farm two miles west of Fleming, which he occupied for nine years, when he moved to Fleming Hill, where he has since lived. He has carried on general farming and stock-raising with invariable success, and in addition thereto has dealt somewhat in real estate. Fortune has been kind to him in every instance, and in all of his transactions he has been prospered. In the month of March, 1837, Mr. Thornton was united in marriage with Miss Mary Smith, a native of the town of Ledyard and a daughter of Arthur and Mary (Gorham) Smith. A woman of great ability and farsightedness, she became his counsellor and guiding star through life; and to her sagacity and wisdom in business affairs much of his success is due, and to her he gratefully accords due credit. In December, 1892, she crossed to the brighter shore, exchanging the cross of conflict for the crown of victory. To hallow their union, one son was born, Hiram Gorham, who married Ella Hardenburgh, and resides in Ionia, Mich. Mr. Thornton is respected and esteemed throughout the town, and his generous interest in all that concerns its public weal has exerted a marked influence in advancing the various enterprises inaugurated to develop its resources and promote its prosperity. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and, religiously, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his excellent wife, and is also a zealous worker in the denomination. The excellent portrait of Mr. Thornton on an adjoining page will be recognized with pleasure by the friends and acquaintances of this venerable citizen, and will be viewed with interest by the general reader.