Clarence Thornton (1886 - 1918)

THORNTON, SWAIN, WEST, WASHBURN, REYNOLDS, CHUBBICK, CHARMAN, SHAWVER, KRESS, VANDEVENTER

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 11/11/2017 at 19:52:56

Pvt. Clarence Thornton

Clarence, youngest son of Riley H. and Mary Thornton, was born in Polk county, Iowa, near Des Moines, July 28, 1886. At four years of age his parents moved to Clarke county where Clarence grew to manhood. It was in the public schools of this county he received his education.

Clarence was a good boy, lived a good clean life, was of a quiet retiring disposition, to know him was to respect him. While he had never formally united with any church, yet he held decided religious conditions, believed the word of God and had the greatest respect for all who live the Christian life. He loved to attend divine worship and was often found in the house of God.

In his last days he faced the enemy of civilization and no earthly being may know just what passed between his soul and our Heavenly Father prior to his supreme sacrifice, so it is wise and safe for us to leave him in the hands of a kind God who is too wise to err and too good to be unkind.

When our country entered the war against Germany and autocracy, in April, 1917, and made a call for defenders of the flag, he heard and responded willingly. He with a number of Clarke county boys was officially called April 26 last and entrained for Camp Dodge on that day, staying there for three weeks, was then sent to Camp Travis, Texas, where he trained as a private until the last of June, when he was sent across for overseas service, landing in France about the first of July.

Just when he saw active service friends have never learned, they only know that he made the great sacrifice September 26, being just five months from the time he enlisted in the U.S. Army

Clarence leaves to mourn, one brother and seven half-brothers, two sisters and five half-sisters as follows: His only brother is Clayborn of Osceola, his sisters, Mrs. Agness Washburn of Armona, California; Mrs. Cora Swain of Osceola; Mrs. Ruth West of Osceola, now deceased. Half brothers, George and Daniel Thornton of California; Richard Thornton of Ankeny, Iowa; John Thornton of Fulton, Missouri; Milton Reynolds of South Dakota; William and Tillman Reynolds of Des Moines. Half sisters, Mrs. Clara Chubbick of Griswold, Iowa’ Mrs. Ada Kress of Pasadena, California; Mrs. Lyde Charman of Elizabeth, Colorado; Mrs. Laura Vandeventer of Minnesota, and Mrs. Ena Shawver of Wyoming, beside from this community a host of kind friends. The relatives have the sympathy of the community.

The Osceola Democrat, December 19, 1918

Mrs. E.C Swain gets sad message
… The following message was received Saturday afternoon by Mrs. E. C. Swain: Washington, 3:40 p.m., October 12, 1918.
Mrs. E. C. Swain. Osceola, Iowa.

Regret to inform you that private Clarence Thornton, Infantry, is officially reported as killed in action, September twenty six.
Harris, Acting Adj. General.

… Memorial services will be held for Mr. Thornton as soon as the quarantine is lifted from the state and public gatherings are allowed. This makes another of our brave boys who have given his life for right and justice so that the people may continue to live under the stars and stripes and under Domocracy principals. The entire town and county are sad with the bereaved sisters and brother, in their great loss.

The Osceola Democrat, October 17, 1918