MILITARY MONDAY ~ Honoring Pfc Robert Dean Thornton–killed in action in World War II - 1945

PLEASE CLICK ON THE TRIANGLE TO PLAY ROBERT'S MEMORIAL VIDEO

Robert Dean Thornton is my 2nd cousin once removed. Meaning we share a common ancestor – my 3rd great grandparents,  Charles Milne (1822-1877) and Margaret Ritchie (1820-1902).

BACKGROUND: Robert was the son of George Thornton (1881-1951) and Goldie Downing (1883-1962) of Muskegon, Michigan.  Robert was their youngest child.  He had older siblings, Lottie Mae, Goldie M., Marjorie and George “Williard.”

According to his headstone and military records, Robert was born 29 Aug 1919 in Michigan. NOTE: There is one record that gives his birthdate as 29 Sep 1919.

I first find Robert as a 4 month old in the 1920 census, in Muskegon, Michigan.  He again appears in the 1930 and 1940 census records with his parents, living in Muskegon, Michigan.
On 16 Oct 1940 Robert reported to the Local Board No. 2 in Muskegon, Michigan to register for the draft.  He is listed as 5’ 7 1/2”, 150 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and a light complexion.  He was working for Hercules Motor and he was 21 years old.

WORLD WAR II DRAFT REGISTRATION - 1940

On 6 Mar 1941 Robert married Jacklyn M. Ritersdorf, in Definance, Defiance Co., Ohio.

Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993
Name:    Jacklyn M Ritersdorf
Gender:    Female
Age:    21
Birth Date:    abt 1920
Marriage Date:    6 Mar 1941
Marriage Place:    Defiance, Ohio, USA
Father:    William Ritersdorf
Mother:    Mary Edgerly
Spouse:    Robert D Thornton
Film Number:    001977645

Just 9 months after their marriage on 7 Dec 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed. This as we all know, began the U.S. entry into World War II.

On 25 May 1943 Robert D. Thornton enlisted in the Army.  Less than 2 months later he and his wife, Jackie divorced. That means the divorce would have begun prior to his enlistment.  Did the divorce proceedings have anything to do with his enlistment?  I have no way of knowing.
 
However, just 18 days after the divorce was final, Robert married Paula Evelyn Johnson on 27 Jul 1943 in Comanche, Stephens, Oklahoma.
 
Oklahoma, County Marriage Records, 1890-1995
Name:    Robert Dean Thornton
Gender: Male
Age:    24
Birth Date: abt 1919
Marriage Date:    27 Jul 1943
Marriage Place: Comanche, Oklahoma, USA
Spouse: Paula Evelyn Johnson
Film Number:    001869740

Robert was a Private First Class in the 378 Infantry Division, 95th Division, Company G.  According to military records Robert was killed in action, at age 25 on 6 Apr 1945 in Germany.  That means that Robert was killed just 32 days prior to the war’s end.  He made it for two years and then sadly, died just a month before he could have come home.

Robert's body was returned home for burial in October 1948, along with others from Muskegon, who had died in the war.  The local high school that Robert attended displayed a bronze tablet honoring those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

They also mentioned them and shared photos of them in the 1945 yearbook.

Robert is buried at Mona View Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan. His headstone memorializes his service to our country.  You may visit his memorial here #46411967.

I am honored to be related to this military hero.  May he rest in peace.

If you are related to anyone mentioned in this post, or have additions or corrections, please contact me.

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks–Week #6 ~ Mary Elizabeth Milne–1851–1929–My great grandaunt

The Muskegon News Chronicle, 18 Jun 1909, page 1

Mary Elizabeth Milne Thornton

My Great Grandaunt, sister to my great grandfather, Andrew C. Milne

Born 21 Nov 1851 in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Married John Thornton 19 Dec 1871 in Lambton, Ontario, Canada

Died 22 Aug 1929 in Muskegon, Muskegon Co., Michigan

Mary was the second of 4 children born to Charles Milne and Margaret Ritchie.  Her siblings were Margaret (about 1850-after 1880), Charlotte “Lottie” (1854-1935) and Andrew Charles (1856-1892).

The first census record I locate Mary in, is the 1861 Scottish census at Drumduan Cottage, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

(You may click on any image to enlarge it) 

1861 Scotland census - Charles & Margaret Milne are at the bottom of this page

1861 Scotland census - children of Charles & Margaret Milne, including Mary

The next record I have for Mary is a passenger list.  She traveled to Quebec, Canada at the age of 17 with her young brother, Andrew, age 12.  They traveled on the ship St. David and arrived in Jun 1868.  I found no other Milne’s on this passenger record.  The record does not list (as some do) a relative they are going to visit or stay with.

Question:  Why were these two children sent over to Canada by themselves?

I have been unable to locate Mary in any census records for 1870 in the U.S. or in 1871 in Canada.  I did locate her brother, Andrew in an 1871 census in Lambton, Ontario, Canada, living with the Smith family.  Mary is not with him.
 
Mary married John Thornton on 19 Dec 1871 in Lambton, Ontario, Canada.  John was born 17 May 1851 in Lincolnshire, , England, to Samuel Thornton and Mary Staton.

Here is a record of Mary & John’s marriage from the database, Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1801-1928.



Mary and her husband John can be found in the 1881 London, Ontario, Canada census.  He is working as a Turner and they have 2 sons, Alfred 6 and John 2. 

I was curious about the job description and located this information about a Turner at this website https://www.jobisjob.com/turner/job-description

Description
Turners are responsible for manufacturing metal components and assembling them to construct tools, industrial machinery, and machine components. They study assembly specifications to perform the most efficient order of processes required for specific projects. These specialists also measure each large and small component to ensure they will fit together properly in the final design. They identify potential problems by understanding machine specifications and drawings before the production process.
Turners usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Maintaining equipment.
• Taking accurate measurements.
• Teaming up with machinists.
• Assembling metal components.
• Polishing finished components.

Mary and John had a son, Samuel born 21 Sep 1872.  He was their first born child.  Sadly, he died of Scarlett Fever on 15 Nov 1879.  He was only 7 yrs. old.

In addition to the two boys named above, Alfred & John, the couple had four more sons, John Jr. (1879-1914), George (1881-1951), Andrew Ritchie (1883-1943) and Orman Staten (1888-1925).  The last child I have born to them was their daughter, Lottie May (1894-1950).
 
I can only wonder how much that little girl was doted on by 4 brothers and her parents.

Based on birth records for the children, it appears that some time between Andrew’s birth in May 1883 and the U.S. census in Jun 1900, the family moved to Muskegon, Michigan.

Mary & John can be found in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census records in Muskegon, Muskegon Co., Michigan.  John went to work as a Railroad Engineer and they owned their home at 37 Prospect St.  Using Google Maps I was unable to locate any current pictures of even the street Prospect on any map for Muskegon, Michigan. I was able to locate Hall St.

However, I did locate a newspaper article about John building the house in 1910 for a cost of $700.  Can you imagine building a home at that cost?

Muskegon News Chronicle, 5 Aug 1910, page 5

Both Mary & John became naturalized citizens of the United States in 1885, according to the census records.  I would love to find their naturalization records.

Mary was a Treasurer for the organization Companion of Foresters.  Although I’ve done several searches online, I can find nothing about this organization.  Her husband, John, was involved in the Canadian Order of Foresters.

Mary experienced several losses in her immediate family. 

• Her young son, Samuel at age 7 in 1879 (died of Scarlett Fever)
• Her son, Alfred, at age 16 in 1892 (died of Inflammation of the Bowels)
• Her brother, Andrew, at age 36 in 1892 (died of Consumption)
• Her son, John Jr., at age 34 in 1914 (died of Organic heart disease)
• Her husband, John at age 70 in 1921 (died of Angina pectoris – arteriosclerosis)

Mary died on 22 Aug 1929 in Muskegon, Michigan.  Her cause of death is listed as Arteriosclerosis, myocarditis, nephritis and terminal lung infection.

Here is her death certificate



She and John are buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan.  You may visit her memorial on FindAGrave.com #79385867.

From being born and growing up in Scotland, to moving to Canada, then to the United States, being the mother of 7 children, and being the Treasurer of an organization, it seems that Mary lived quite a full life. She has a nice smile in the newspaper photograph.  I wish I could locate other pictures of this family.

That being said, if you are related to this family in any way, I would love to hear from you.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTERST TO YOU
Surname Saturday - Thornton of England, Canada & Michigan
Locating That Elusive Immigration Record - Margaret Ritchie Milne (1820-1902)

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

SURNAME SATURDAY – Thornton of England, Canada & Michigan

The Thornton’s are connected to my family by marriage.  My great grandaunt, Mary Elizabeth MILNE married John Thornton.

What I know about John THORNTON

He was born in Lincolnshire, England on 17 May 1851.¹
His father was Samuel Thornton², born 1820 in Yorkshire, England, died 24 Dec 1893 in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada.

His mother was Mary STATEN, (also spelled Staton) born about 1820 in Yorkshire, England and died 16 Feb 1910 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada.

John Thornton had 3 brothers – James, George and Samuel Jr. and 2 sisters – Ann & Mary.

John married Mary Elizabeth MILNE³ on 19 Dec 1871 in Lambton, Ontario, Canada.  They had 6 sons – Samuel Charles, Alfred, John Jr., George, Andrew Ritchie and Orman Staten and 1 daughter – Lottie May.  Two of the sons, Samuel and Alfred did not live to adulthood.

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLAGE IT)





John’s obituary⁴ gives quite a bit of information about his life.  He came to Canada at the age of two and came to Michigan when he was 17 years of age, settling in Owosso.  He later returned to London, Ontario, Canada and then to East Tawas, Michigan.  From the obituary we learn that John was a pioneer resident of Muskegon, moving to the town in 1891.

John spent practically all his working days on the railroad.  He is listed as a retired Locomotive Engineer on his death certificate.
 
He was a member of the Maccabees and the Canadian Order of Foresters. His wife Mary, was a Treasurer of the Companions of Foresters.






















John & Mary lived in Ontario, Canada for the birth of their first five children.  By 1888 when Orman⁵ was born, they have moved to East Tawas, Iosco, Michigan.  Their daughter, Lottie⁶, was born in Muskegon, Michigan.

BIRTH RECORD OF ORMAN THORNTON 

   


We find the couple living on Prospect St. in Muskegon, Michigan in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census.
 
John died 25 Jun 1921 at his home 37 Prospect St., Muskegon, Michigan.  Cause of death is listed as Angina pectoris-arteriosclerosis¹.



Mary lived for seven more years and died 22 Aug 1929 at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan.  Her cause of death was Arteriosclerosis, myocarditis, nephritis, terminal lung infection.

Both John & Mary are buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan.1  Here is a link to their memorials on findagrave.com – John, Mary.



If you think you might be related, even remotely, to anyone mentioned in this blog, please contact me!

Sources:

1- Michigan, Death Certificate, 1921-1952 and Newspaper obituary-The Muskegon Chronicle

2 - Ontario, Canada, Death, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947

3 – Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1801-1926

4 – The Muskegon Chronicle, page 9, column 1, published 27 Jun 1921

5 -  Michigan Births, 1867-1902

6 -  Michigan, Death certificates, 1921-1952

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2015   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

FOLLOW UP TO PHOTO DUPLICATION REQUESTS FROM FAMILY SEARCH

Hi everyone.  On 7/13/14 I wrote about submitting photo duplication requests to familysearch.org.  You can read that post here PHOTO DUPLICATION REQUESTS ON FAMILY SEARCH PLUS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEGACY & EVERNOTE

On July 12th, I submitted five requests to Family Search for death certificates.  All five deaths occurred in the state of Michigan.

GILLESPIE, Mary Eva - 1949 - Eloise, Wayne, Michigan
GILLESPIE, Susan - 1933 - Detroit, Michigan
PICKARD, Ellen  - 1927 - Detroit, Michigan
THORNTON, Mary - 1929 - Muskegon, Michigan
THORPE, Catherine  - 1941 - Detroit, Michigan
 
Based on the timeline given on the familysearch website, I didn’t expect to receive these records, if I did receive them at all, until 4-6 weeks after my request was submitted.
 
SURPRISE!
 
On July 16, just four (4) days after my requests, I received four of the death certificates. Oh my gosh!  Was I every surprised to get that email.  Of course I was away from home and saw the email on my phone.  I didn’t get home for several hours, but couldn’t wait to download and view those certificates.
 
The only certificate I didn’t receive was the 1927 death of Ellen Pickard.  As of this date, I have still not received that one.  I sure hope I do because she is my grand aunt and my grandmother talked about her all the time.
 
But, the four others have been enough to keep me quite busy and have led to the discovery of a set of 4th great grandparents and other data.  
 
And to answer the question about whether I would receive the two certificates for the deaths that occurred after 1938.  The answer is YES.
 
Here are the certificates I received.
 
(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)





Unfortunately, I have only had the time to actually “work” on the certificate for my 2nd Great Grandmother, Susan Gillespie.  It’s just been one of those busy weeks.  I’m sure you can all relate.  

However, that one certificate has led me to the following information, some of it I already had, some of it was new.

• Her name
• Her date of birth
• Her husband’s name
• Her place of birth (I believe it should say Tiverton, England and not Twerton)
• Her father’s name
• Her mother’s maiden name (NEW INFORMATION)
• Her cause of death (NEW INFORMATION)
• Her place of death (NEW INFORMATION)
• The informant on her death certificate (NEW INFORMATION)
• Her place of burial
• The funeral home that handled the arrangements for the family (NEW INFORMATION)
• Her residence at the time of her death (NEW INFORMATION)
• How long she had been in the U.S. (NEW INFORMATION)
• Her length of residence in Detroit, Michigan (NEW INFORMATION)

I’d say that is quite a list, wouldn’t you?  Including 8 pieces of NEW INFORMATION.
I definitely did my genealogy happy dance
Thanks to finding that maiden name for Susan Gillespie’s mother, Elizabeth Gaden, I have used the website FindMyPast to locate more information about the Gaden/Gaydon/Gayden family from Devonshire, England.  

NOTE:  On my very first genealogy trip back in 2007, I went to Detroit, Michigan.  My birthplace and the birthplace for many of my family members.  On that trip I was able to go to several cemeteries in Detroit and photograph headstones.  It was an absolutely wonderful trip.  One of the headstones I photographed was for Elizabeth Gaden who’s married name was Burgess.  I have wanted to learn more about her ever since that time.

Here I am in 2007 at the headstone for my 3rd great grandmother Elizabeth Gaden Burgess

Here is the back of her headstone naming her husband, her date of death and her age

  

I can’t wait to explore the other three certificates I received and see what they will reveal.

TIP:  Even though I have looked over the information on this certificate and gleaned every possible piece of data that I could.  I will still go back another time or two as I am citing this source and making those entries in Legacy.  We often miss things when we first see a document and another look or three or four, never hurts.

This has been a very good experience and I am counting the days until I can submit 5 more requests to Family Search.  Until then, I have plenty to do.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PHOTO DUPLICATION SERVICE WAS DISCONTINUED BY FAMILY SEARCH - EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 5, 2014.  YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT IN THIS POST 

 http://www.michiganfamilytrails.com/2014/11/photo-duplication-service-to-be.html

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION