US Congressman. He attended Centre College in Kentucky, graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1834, and became a lawyer in Shelbyville 1836. He was a Major in the militia. As a supporter of the Mexican War he participated in public debates with one of its most prominent opponents, Congressman Abraham Lincoln. Thornton was a member of the Illinois House in 1850. He was elected to Congress as a pro-Civil War Democrat in 1864 and served one term. He returned to Illinois to practice law in Shelbyville and Decatur, and was an Illinois Supreme Court Justice from 1870 to 1873. He was also Chairman of the State Board of Arbitration and President of the Illinois Bar Association.
US Congressman. He attended Centre College in Kentucky, graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1834, and became a lawyer in Shelbyville 1836. He was a Major in the militia. As a supporter of the Mexican War he participated in public debates with one of its most prominent opponents, Congressman Abraham Lincoln. Thornton was a member of the Illinois House in 1850. He was elected to Congress as a pro-Civil War Democrat in 1864 and served one term. He returned to Illinois to practice law in Shelbyville and Decatur, and was an Illinois Supreme Court Justice from 1870 to 1873. He was also Chairman of the State Board of Arbitration and President of the Illinois Bar Association.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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