Samuel W. Thornton (Oct. 23, 1832 in Madison County, Ohio – July 20, 1917 in Kearney, Nebraska) was a prominent farmer, businessman, soldier, and politician.
His father was a member of a large Scots-Irish and devoutly Presbyterian family that had migrated to Ohio from South Carolina over opposition to slavery[1] During the American Civil War, Samuel joined the Union Army, fighting with Company C, 8th Regiment, Iowa Infantry.
Returning home to Washington County, Iowa, he was hailed as a war hero and served in a series of elected positions: city collector, marshal, assessor, and one term as Deputy Sheriff.
For the first few years, the farm teetered on ruin; however, by the end of the decade, Samuel began having tremendous success, and his reputation amongst local farmers grew accordingly.
[5] Samuel W. Thornton married Sarah Larimer on September 14, 1854, and had eight children: Eva, William, Charles, Mary Etta, Harry Lyle, Mabel, Kate, and Lillie.