My Genealogy Hound

Thomas J. Thorn, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., December 25, 1837. His father, W. Thorn, was a native of North Carolina, who moved to the State of Tennessee, and was there married to Miss Penelope Crumple, of that State. After his marriage the elder Thorn settled on a farm in Bedford County, where he resided until his death, in 1856. His wife still survives him, and is a resident of Lawrence County. He served through the Seminole War in Florida, and had never fully recovered from the exposure and hardships brought on while endeavoring to subdue this savage tribe. Thomas J. Thorn remained with his father until he had reached his maturity, and then started out to find his own fortune. In 1859 he settled in Oregon County, Mo., and one year later moved to Lawrence County, Ark. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and after six months’ active service was badly wounded and discharged. He received his wound in the thigh, from a rifle ball, while engaged in a battle at Springfield, Mo., in 1861, and at that time was a member of Col. McBryant’s division. Finding it impossible to fight any longer, he returned to Lawrence County, and, as time passed, and he was able to resume his farm work, he did so, and has been at that occupation ever since, with the exception of a short period, in which he did carpenter work. He sold out his farm and moved to Florida, in 1886, spending twelve months in that State, and, at the end of that time, returned to Lawrence County and bought the place upon which he now resides. He owns forty acres of fine land, and has about twenty-five acres under cultivation, with a comfortable house, barns and all necessary adjuncts. Mr. Thorn was first married, in Tennessee, to Miss Mary Bennett, who died in Arkansas. Two children are yet living by this wife and two deceased. His second marriage was in Randolph County, to Miss Rebecca Holt, who left five children at her death. He was married a third time to Mrs. Sarah Hatfield, a widow of Lawrence County, who is still living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thorn are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which the former is a deacon, and are people who are held in the highest respect in their community.