Merced County Biographies

PATRICK J. THORNTON

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        An official of Merced County who has proven his worth and ability in the 
discharge of the duties of his office, is Patrick J. Thornton, the county clerk. 
He was born on March 27, 1872, within a stone's throw of the limits of the city 
of Merced, a son of the late William and Julia (Whelan) Thornton. William 
Thornton owned and operated a large ranch in the McSwain school district. He was 
born in Ireland, came to California across the Isthmus of Panama in 1865, and 
settled in Merced County in 1867. He was married in San Francisco in 1869. His 
wife was also born in Ireland, and came to California in 1866. Of this union ten 
children were born, all in Merced County: Daniel W., who died in 1898, at the 
age of twenty-six; Patrick James, of this review; Mary A.; Margaret M.; John J.; 
Hannah T., now the wife of M. S. Maddux; Julia B. who died unmarried; Rose M., 
who married W. H. Wegner; William W.; and Joseph F., who died in early boyhood. 
William Thornton, though a stanch Democrat, never aspired to official honors. He 
was a man of excellent judgment and common sense. He died at the age of 
sixty-nine; but his widow survived until 1919, dying at the age of seventy-two. 
She was an active member of the Catholic Church and liberally contributed to the 
fund for the building of the new edifice.
        Patrick J. Thornton attended the McSwain district school and grew up to 
farm work. He became a student at St. Mary's College, Oakland, graduating from 
its business department. He entered the court house in the capacity of deputy 
county clerk, under W. B. Croop. In 1906 he became a candidate for the office on 
the Democratic ticket and was elected, being returned to the office of county 
clerk in 1910, 1914, 1918, and 1922.
        On May 19, 1920, Patrick J. Thornton was united in marriage with Miss 
Agnes Ryan, a native of Ireland but a resident of California since 1917. The 
family home is located at 1030 L Street, the house having been erected in 1921. 
The Thornton ranch of 740 acres has been divided among the living children, who 
still own it. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are members of the Catholic Church in 
Merced. He is a member of Merced Lodge No. 1240, B. P. O. E.; a Past Grand 
Knight of the Merced Council, Knights of Columbus; and a member of Yosemite 
Parlor No. 24, N. S. G. W., and of the local Chamber of Commerce. By virtue of 
his office, during the World War Mr. Thornton was a member of the County Council 
of Defence. He gives his whole time to his official duties.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 895-896