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American politician (1865–1928) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Ewell Thornton (January 7, 1865 – March 27, 1928) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as a member of the Virginia Senate, representing the state's 14th district from 1908 to 1920.
Richard Ewell Thornton | |
|---|---|
Thornton (c. 1912) | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 14th district | |
| In office January 8, 1908 – January 14, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | Lewis H. Machen |
| Succeeded by | Walter T. Oliver |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 7, 1865 Brentsville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 27, 1928 (aged 63) Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Susan Conte Plummer (m. 1891) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1919–1920 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | J.A.G. Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Richard Ewell Thornton was born on January 7, 1865, in Brentsville, Virginia, to William Willis Thornton. His father served in the Confederate States Army and was a superintendent of schools in Prince William County. His family moved to Fairfax County in his childhood.[1][2][3] He studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in Fairfax County in 1891.[1] His brother J. B. T. Thornton was a judge of the circuit court in Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William counties.[1]
Thornton practiced law in Fairfax County. He organized the Fairfax County Bar Association and served as its first president.[1]
Thornton served as a member of the state senate from January 1908 to January 1920.[3][4][5]
On April 11, 1919, Thornton was commissioned to the U.S. Army as a major in the judge advocate general's office in the U.S. Department of War. He served during World War I. He compiled and annotated a list of military laws into The Military Laws of the United States during his service. He was honorably discharged on September 30, 1920.[1][3]
Thornton served as the first president and later as vice president of the Fairfax National Bank. The bank was organized in 1902.[1][2]
Thornton married Sue Conte Plummer of Prince George's County, Maryland, on June 25, 1891. They did not have children. Thornton was a vestryman of Zion Episcopal Church.[1][3]
Thornton was hospitalized at Providence Hospital and later died on March 27, 1928, at his home in Fairfax, Virginia.[1][2] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
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