Submitted by Debra Garner Thanks Debra!

Goodspeed 1884
page 491

Alex N. Thornton is a miller of Black Springs, Ark., and the work which he turns out is remarkably satisfactory, the patronage which he has attracted to this place for milling purposes being constantly on the increase. He was born in Forsyth Co., GA., in 1844, to Isaac and Clara (Nuckles) Thornton, the former born in Georgia and the latter in Virginia. Mrs. Thornton removed to Georgia with her parents when a girl, and there she married and lived until her death in 1862, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Thornton afterward married a second time, and in 1867 removed to Texas, and in 1879 to Montgomery Co., AR, where he still lives, a farmer and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church also. He served in a regiment of Georgia Infantry during the Rebellion. His father Thomas Thornton, was born in the Palmetto State, and died in Georgia, he being also a worthy and successful tiller of the soil. He was of English descent, a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was a native of England. Alex Nuckles was the mother's father, an Englishman by birth, who became a farmer of Whitfield County, GA, where he spent his declining years. Alex N. Thornton was the fith of ten children, and although he was reared on a farm, he, as soon as old enough, was put to school and acquired a good common school education. In 1862 he joined Company C, 39th Georgia Infantry, Army of Tennessee, and was in the siege of Vicksburg, at Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign, Franklin, Nashville, Mobil and back to Johston's Army in North Carolina, surrendering with him in that State. He was slightly wounded twice. In 1867 he married in Whitfield County, GA, to Mary E. dughter of Ellis and Permelia Sloan, the former born in Tennessee, and the latter in North Carolina, their marriage being consummated in Whitfield County, GA, where Mrs. Thornton was born and where she and Mr. Thornton resided until 1870, when they came to Clark County, Ark., and eight years later to Montgomery County, their residence being at Black Springs. Mr. Thornton is the owner of a good water saw, grist-mill and cotton gin, and if close application and study of the wants of his customers will serve to make a permanent success of his mill, Mr. Thornton need have no fear as to the outcome of his venture. By his own efforts he has become the owner of 320 acres of land, but the first six years of his residence here he was engaged in merchandising. He has been justice of the peace two years and his wife worships in the Missionary Baptist Church.