EDWARD THORNTON, Huntington, Indiana.
Edward Thornton was born in Geneva, New York, October 22, 1861, and is the son of Alexander Thornton, a prominent farmer of Ontario County, that state. The young man was an industrious student in the public school of his native town until he was 19 years of age, when he abandoned school and went to work on his father's farm. He soon gave this up and accepted a position with the Wide-Awake Threshing and Engine Works at Waterloo, New York, and for two years worked there in the winter time, running as engineer on a pleasure yacht in the summer time on Seneca Lake between Watkins and Geneva, New York. In 1886 he accepted a position on the Grand Trunk and was stationed at Chicago as hostler. Four months later he resigned to take a job firing on the Erie under Master Mechanic Joehan. He fired two years on freight and two years on passenger, when, in October, 1890, his exceptionally good record as a fireman won him promotion to engineer, since which time he has been in the freight service between Galion and Chicago. He is classed among the best of the rising young engineers and has many times demonstrated that his promotion was fully merited.

In February, 1895, Mr. Thornton was married to Miss Ella L. Kline, daughter of Henry Kline, a prominent and pioneer farmer of Huntington County, Indiana. Mrs. Thornton is a society favorite, and a member of Ladies of the Maccabees, and Jewel Hive No. 63 of Huntington. Mr. Thornton is a member of Amity Lodge No. 483, F. & A. M., and B. of L. E., Division 221. He owns a fine residence at the corner of Bryant and Front streets, and is a valued citizen of Huntington, being a favorite among his fellow employes as well as genial companion to all who have the good fortune to know him intimately.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

Ed Thornton
Suspended 15 days from Dec. 7th for pushing cars off end of coal dock on Dec. 5th. Second offense. Discharged Aug. 28th for pulling out on main track at West Point with an extra train Aug. 20th ahead of train 90 without orders or protection, resulting in a serious side collision.

SOURCE: P. 213, Chicago & Erie Railroad Employment Summary Book, ledger book covering @ 1880-1905. Donated to this site courtesy of Nick Pappas. Transcription by Jim Sponholz (c) 2007.

From the January 29, 1909 issue of the Marion Daily Star:
Engineer Homer Bennett is off duty for a short time. Edward Thornton is running in his place.

From the February 10, 1909 issue of the Marion Daily Star:
Engineer Edward Thornton, of the Erie, is off duty because of a serious attack of rheumatism.

From the July, 1916 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Marion Division (Second District) Engineer E. Thornton, running engine #2560 with fireman E.J. Griswald, was listed as being in the Order of the Red Spot for July, 1916. The Order was an honor bestowed on engine crews who operated efficiently with few engine failures.