Simeon Thornton

Book by Jay Stephens: Pioneers on the Oregon Trail

Introduction http://tinyurl.com/ltjgze

Generation 1-2 http://tinyurl.com/l5yj43

Generation 3 http://tinyurl.com/m36lje

Generation 4 http://tinyurl.com/llcx8n

Generation 5 http://tinyurl.com/kw4b3f

Generation 6 http://tinyurl.com/mvjtb5

Generation 7 http://tinyurl.com/nxm92t

Adams and Stephens http://tinyurl.com/mgtzvy

Per Ralph Turner (email) His parents came to Oregon in 1847, whereas he came with Isaac Agee's group in 1852.

"Simeon came in 1840 to present day DeKalb County, MO. (from Callaway Co., MO?) Purchased land in what is now DeKalb County. Simeon T. Thornton obtained a patent on 40 acres in the SE quarter of the NW quarter of section 35, T58N, R33W in De Kalb Co., MO on 1 Nov 1848. [Note that this is AFTER his mother and step father had moved on to Oregon)

Simeon T. Thornton obtained a patent on 40 acres in the NW quarter of the NW quarter of section 35, T58N, R33W in De Kalb Co., MO on 1 Dec 1851 through the Plattsburg Land office. [He planned on staying it seems, but he his using the Thornton name by this date]

He came west on the Oregon Trail in 1852; wife Betsy died near John Day. --Simeon had gone by the surname Toney, his stepfathers name, until he bought land in Clinton Co., (now DeKalb Co.), MO, after he was married as a Toney. He served in the Indian War in Yakima, WA 1855-56. Moved to Modoc Co., CA 1871. James Toney was most likely not his father. He was born 5 years before his mother married Toney.

James P. and Patsey (Thornton) Toney sold 240 acres of their DLC for $2000 to Simeon F. Thornton 24 Aug 1863 in Yamhill Co., OR. He seems to have turned around and sold 80 acres of this same piece to Francis M. Stowe and James A. Fristoe for $1400 on 23 Nov 1867. And then he sold another 80 acres of this to John Bolinski for $650 on 1 Aug 1868.

obituary

Passing of a Noble Life

The death of Simeon T. Thornton last Thursday by paralysis ended an eventful and long life, and left a memory of lone and patience that will ever rest upon those near and dear to him as a benediction and will remain a blessing on them as long as life lasts.

Grandpa Thornton was 98 years 10 months and 17 days old. He was born in Indiana and with his family crossed the plains in ’52. (1852). The family consisted of his wife and six children, the youngest a baby a year old. And what a world of sorrow and pathos there is in the fact that his wife died and was buried on the plains. With hearts full of hope for progress and happiness in the new west, it was indeed a blow that was hard to face. But he was of the dauntless pioneer type, and because of his love for all humanity he could not be discouraged.

Twenty years ago he came to make his home with his daughter Mrs. Surrilda Ballard, and neighbors and visitors to the home declared that never had they come in contact with a gentler, more loving disposition than possessed by Grandpa Thornton. And in fact his grandchildren declare that during his twenty years residence with them they never knew him to utter a complaint or a cross word.

Mr. Thornton was the oldest resident of Modoc County. He has always enjoyed splendid health until recently when the first stroke of paralysis left in him a weakened condition. He was the grandson of the Richard Thornton who signed the Declaration of Independence (Editor’s note: There was a Matthew Thornton who was a signer - GGA - probably no relation). Besides five children still living there are many grand children and some great grand children. (From a photocopy of a newspaper article, origination and publish date unknown).

Simeon T. Thornton, who died in Alturas, Cal., May 17, in his ninety-ninth year, was born in Indiana, June 29, 1818. He came to Oregon from Missouri in 1852 settling near McMinnville on a donation land claim, where he lived until 1895, when he went to Alturas.

In 1838 Mr. Thornton married Elizabeth Ann Adams, who died before they reached Oregon. He never married again but reared his family of seven children, five of whom survive him. They are: James W. Thornton, Weiser, Idaho; Anna E. Stephens, Portland; I. A. Thornton, Echo, OR; J. T. Thornton, McMinnville; Sirrilda J. Ballard, Alturas, CA. There are 26 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great grandchildren.