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William Taylor and Helen Lovinia (MALTBY) THORNTON

Her Parents - Norman and Lovina Maria (WRIGHT) MALTBY

Spouse Parents -

kids - none

---- Pictures related to William and Helen THORNTON, etc.

CFE-DGC-b. Helen Lovinia MALTBY, b. May 12, 1846 (Norman 6, John 5, Wm.4, Jos.3, Dan.2, Wm.1). m. Tues., June 30, 1868, William Taylor THORNTON; at Sedalia, Missouri. He was at one time governor of New Mexico. He was b. in Henry Co., Missouri, Feb. 9, 1843; son of Dr. William Tucker Thornton, who was b. in Caroline Co., Virginia, May 1, 1806, and wife Caroline V. Taylor. She was a dau. of Major William Taylor of the 9th Virginia Continentals, Rev. War.

Dr. W.T.Thornton and his eldest brother, Fitzhugh Thornton, went to Missouri in 1839 and settled in Henry Co. They were sons of Capt. Charles Thornton (Rev. War). The house in which he was born was built of bricks brought from England by his grandfather; this family was among the first settlers of Virginia. It was to this house that General Stonewall Jackson was carried when he was wounded at Chanselorsville, May 1, 1864; and where he died May 10th.

William Taylor Thornton at the time of his marriage was a lawyer at Clinton, Mo. He was a member of the Missouri State Legislature 1876-7, and in the autumn of 1877 he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continued the practice of law. In Cleveland's second administration he was appointed by President Cleveland governor of the Territory of New Mexico. He served his term with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the people; at this time (1915) he was prominent in the social and business life of the state of New Mexico.

Major William Taylor, grandfather of William Taylor Thornton, was b. in Virginia in 1756, married Elizabeth Curtis who died at Kent, 1846. He d. 1829. He was a major in Rev. War and served with Washington eight years. Seven brothers were also in the Rev. Army. In 1781 the Major received 5,353 1/3 acres of land from the government for his services. In 1800, 389 2/3 acres; for seven years service, and in 1808, he received 889 2/3 acres for eight years service.

Ex-governor Thornton died in 1916. No children. His widow, when not traveling, resided at Santa Fe, New Mexico. She d. Mar. 14, 1930, at the home of her nephew.

(Santa Fe New Mexican, Mar. 15, 1930)
                 Obituary
             Funeral of Late
             Mrs. Thornton to
             Be Here Monday.
"Widow of Noted Governor of New Mexico Was Gracious Hostess in
   Old Palace."

"Mrs. Helen Maltby Thornton whose death at the age of 84 at the home of her nephew William Thornton Maltby, at Tulsa, Oklahoma, occurred yesterday, was the widow of the late Gov. William T. Thornton, and came to Santa Fe more than 50 years ago. She was one of the coterie of women who made the last two decades of the 19th century such a brilliant one in the official social circles of New Mexico's capital. In those days the historic Palace on the Plaza was the residence of the governors and in it Mrs. Thornton presided graciously and with dignity. At the conclusion of his term as executive of the territory, Governor and Mrs. Thornton occupied the spacious and rambling adobe structure which stood on the site of La Ponda and the parochial school on upper San Francisco street. This residence with its lovely patio was noted for its hospitality and many social events which took place within its portals.

              Thick of Events.

Mrs. Thornton was in the thick of political events in some of the most turbulent years of New Mexico's annals. Mr. Thornton came to Santa Fe in 1877, a native of Missouri, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Confederate veteran, and opened a law office. He associated himself in law with late U.S. Senator Thomas B. Catron, who assumed leadership on the Republican side as Thornton did of the Democrats; Thornton served in the 25th legislative assembly. In 1891 he was elected the first mayor of Santa Fe under the city charter, being the nominee of both major parties. In 1893 under the second administration of Grover Cleveland, he was appointed Governor with instructions to clean up the territory politically. The effort to do this brought turbulent days, threats of assignation and of revenge.

Acquiring control of the Santa Fe New Mexican, the governor became the center of a bitter newspaper feud. He was a vigorous and fearless executive.

Upon retirement from the gubernatorial chair, Thornton went into the cattle and mining business, spending much of this time in Mexico.

"After his death Mrs. Thornton gave much of her time to travel, but lately has been living with her nephew in Tulsa, Oklahoma, maintaining, however, her interest in Santa Fe and its affairs. It is here she wished to find her last resting place and in accordance with her wishes interment will be made in Fairview cemetery on Monday afternoon.

Mrs. Thornton was active in the Woman's Board of Trade for many years, was a staunch member of the Church of the Holy Faith (Episcopal), president of its guild, and was prominent in civic movements and church undertakings. Besides her brother" (Arthur Norman Maltby) "a sister, Mrs. John P. Victory, at present in Clinton, N.Y., and a niece, Mrs. Frank Butt of Albuquerque, survive.

The honorary pallbearers will be:--Governor R.C. Dillon; ex-Governor M.A. Otero, ex-Governor Herbert J. Hagerman, Supreme Court Justice Frank W. Parker, Levi A. Hughes, Supreme Court Justice H.L. Bickley, Supreme Court Justice John C. Watson, and ex-Mayor Arthur Seligman. The active pallbearers will be Mayor J.C. McConvery, Supreme Court Justice Charles C. Catron, Bradley M. Thomas, ex-Mayor Jose D. Sena, Edward R. Wright, Carl Bishop, Carl Gilbert and ex-Mayor E.P.Davies."

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Dorothy's Maltby Manuscript

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