George Thornton

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Died:
Obituary - Thorton
The most widely known man in the county died Tuesday at noon at his home on Wilson Street in the person of Mr. George Thorton, and his death has caused genuine regret among his friends who are legion.

About four years ago Mr. Thorton contracted an ailment known as pernicious anaemia, brought on by overwork, and which slowly but surely undermined his constitution. Five weeks ago he returned from a business trip to Manitoba in a weakened and precarious condition and his health worked alarm in his family and among his friends. He was compelled to take to his bed, and the struggle for life that ensued, though a brave one, was in vain for the body had reached the last point of endurance and would not be controlled by the mind.

When the subject of this obituary was four years old, his father emigrated to this country with his family and took up land on the eighth line of Bathurst, where the Thorton homestead was founded. The deceased as a boy was somewhat independent, with a strong will to make his own way in the world. He did not take to farming and engaged for a while with Senator McLaren in the lumbering business, and also did considerable teaming for that well known lumberman in the early days. later on, or twenty-five or twenty-six years ago, he worked with Mr. Seeley, the present local express agent, and continued in this employment for two or three years. He then opend business for himself, as sewing machine agent, and working for him was Mr. Alonzo Dittrick, brother of John Dittrick, town.

Mr Thorton prospered in his trade, for he was a shrewd and integral business man, and gradually added pianos and organs to his agency. he also went into extensive dealing in grain, flour, feeds, horses and cattle. At the time of his death he was carrying a very large stock of goods, and had the sole rignt for the agencies of different pianos, organs and sewing machines in Lanark and Renfrew. His business also extended to the North-West, where his interests run up in the thousdands, looked after by his nephew, Mr. Arch. McLaren. His dealings with the farmers of Lanark County were widespread, and deceased was always found to be an honest and upright buyer.

Our deceased townsman was a well travelled man, and well versed in current events. On three occasions he crossed the Atlantic to visit the home of his forefathers and also to sell stock. To Manitoba he was a frequent visitor, and his sales proved financial successes for him. Mr. Thorton took deep interest in matters affecting the town, and was a steady adherent of the South Lanark Exhibition. In politics he was formerly a Conservative, but latterly took the Liberal's view of such matters. In religion, he was a member of the English church, and in secret society circles was a Mason.

Mr. Thorton was a truly a popular man, respected by all, and a constant friend to those who proved worthy of his friendship. In his demise, Perth loses one of its progressive business men, the county its most widely known resident, and the citizens an honest fellow-being.

His father died in 1877 and his mother in 1898. Mr. Thorton never married, and of his generation four remain: Mr Jas. Thorton, town; Mrs Donald McLaren, Drummond; Mrs James Bell, sixth line of Bathurst; and Mr John Thorton on the homestead.

The funeral took place this (Thursday) afternoon, and the procession of carriages was very long, the citizens turning out in large numbers to pay a last token of respect to one who had held their esteem for so long a period. The Masonic Order of Perth had charge of the funeral and the members of the lodge walked in a body. Interment took place in Elmwood Cemetery.