Death
26 September 1918 | France
Clarence Thornton died on 26 September 1918, at age 32, in France
MRS. E. C. SWAIN GETS SAD MESSAGE
Clarence Thornton of the U.S. Infantry Is Officially Reported Killed in Action
MEMORIAL SERVICES TO BE HELD
Deceased Leaves Two Sisters And One Brother To Mourn His Death
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.
Clarence Thornton left Osceola on the 26th of April, being sent to Camp Dodge where he was assigned to the infantry. Later he was sent to Camp Travis, Texas, and then sent across. It is thought he reached France about July fourth.
He was thirty-two years of age and is survived by two sisters and one brother, Mrs. Agnes Washburn of Aroma, California, Mrs. E. C. Swain of this city and Clayborn Thornton also of Osceola. 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 Democracy principals. The entire town and county are sad with the bereaved sisters and brother, in their great loss.
MEMORIAL SERVICES HELD SUNDAY
People Of The Community Gathered At Methodist Protestant Church To Pay Tribute To Deceased Soldiers
MANY ATTENDED SERVICES
Last Respects Paid To Pvt. Clarence Thornton and Sgt. Willis Neal
Very beautiful and appropriate memorial services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in memory of Private Clarence Thornton and Sergeant Willis Neal, two of this vicinity's promising young men who sacrificed their lives, their homes, their all on the battle and shell torn fields of France for the cause of democracy, for the cause of you and for the cause of me. The services were conducted by the pastors of the boys, J.C. Leonard of the Methodist Protestant church and James A. Burns of the Church of Christ, being assisted by Rev. McKay of the Methodist Episcopal church. Quite a large audience was in attendance and scattered among them was many who are members of the G. A. R., the Soldiers' Fathers' League and W. R. C. The obituaries of the deceased are as follows:
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 lived 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 over seas service, landing in France about the first of July. Just when he saw active service the 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. Agnes 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. Rena Shawver of Wyoming, beside from this community a host of kind friends. The relatives have the sympathy of the community.