Mary Winslow Thornton (1845 - 1913)

WINSLOW, THORNTON, REYNOLDS, VANDEVENTNER, SWAIN, WEST, CLAYBORN, SHAWVER, CHARMAN

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 11/12/2017 at 10:56:12

Mary Winslow was born in Grant county Indiana January 13, 1845. At the age of ten years, with her parents, she moved to Dallas County, Iowa, near Redfield.

When seventeen years of age she was united in marriage to Jonathan Reynolds in the month of December, 1861, and to this union were born six children, there sons and three daughters, namely Milton, Mrs. Laura Vandeventer and Mrs. Rena Shawver, all of South Dakota, Mrs. Eliza Charman of Elizabeth, Colo., and Willie and Tillie, both of Des Moines, Iowa.

In January 1875, she was left a widow and struggled through the hardships of life with her six small children, until May 3, 1877, when she was again united in marriage to Riley Thornton of Polk county, Ia. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters, namely Mrs. Ruth West, deceased, Mrs. Cora Swain, Agnes Clayborn and Clarence, all of Osceola, Iowa.

In March 1890, they with their family moved to Clarke county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Green Bay township. July 31, 1900 she was again left a widow. She with her children remained on the farm until three yeas ago she moved to Osceola which has been her home ever since.

At an early age she united with the United Brethren church, having lived a true Christian life, always attended church services whenever health permitted, always ready to lend a helping hand to others, and always cheerful and kind hearted. About two years ago she united with the Methodist church in Osceola and remained a member there until her death on Saturday, May 10, 1913. After feeding her chickens she came into the house where she had an attack of heart failure and quietly passed away. She was quiet and unassuming but lived the life of the Christian.

Mrs. Thornton leaves to mourn her death ten children, six sisters, 3 brothers, forty-one grandchildren and five great grandchildren, and friends.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon conducted by her pastor Re. L.B. Carpenter.

The Osceola Democrat May 22, 1913