Lawrence
Thorn was born in 1808 in New Jersey or New York. He was the son of Daniel
Thorn and Mary Johnes Wandell. There were two death notices in the Erie paper
when Lawrence died. The first one says he died on Nov 23 1884. at age 76 years
6 MONTHS. The second says he died of kidney disease on Nov 23 1884 at age 76 years,
6 WEEKS. That means his birthdate was either May 23, 1808 or October 8, 1808.
Hannah Van Winkle was born about 1813 in New Jersey. She was the daughter of Albert
R. Van Winkle & Margaret Bush
Martha Clark was born about 1835 in
New York. She was the daughter of unknown parents
THE FAMILIES OF LAWRENCE THORN
First marriage:
 | Lawrence Thorn & Hannah Van Winkle | Lawrence Thorn married
Hannah Van Winkle December 20, 1835 in Benton, Yates Co., New York and they had
6 children. I don't have any photos of Hannah Van Winkle, but I think she
may have resembled her daughter Sarah Jane - I think Marietta looks like the Thorn
side, and I don't think Sarah Jane looks like them, so maybe she looked like her
mother's side. Lawrence & Hannah are on the 1840 census of Benton, Yates Co.,
NY, and they are on the 1850 census of Painted Post, Steuben Co., NY. Hannah
Van Winkle Thorn probably died between 1850-1854 in New York. Lawrence was
married second to Martha Clark on March 28, 1854 in Corning, Steuben Co.,
New York. More information on that marriage and children below. Notes for Lawrence Thorn 1906 Estate deed for Lawrence Thorn naming children Notes for Hannah Van Winkle |
Children of Lawrence Thorn and Hannah VanWinkle:
 | . George Thorn | George Francis Thorn was born July 31,
1836 in New York. His parents are listed on the 1840 census of Benton, Yates
Co., NY. They moved to Steuben Co., NY sometime between 1840 to 1850, and George
is listed with them at age 14 on the 1850 census of Painted Post, Steuben Co.,
NY. George's mother died before he was age 17, and his father remarried Martha
Clark in 1854. George is listed at age 15 (should be 19) with his father &
stepmother on the 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., NY. George married
Elizabeth Harbaugh (daughter of Amos Harbaugh & Sarah McKinzie) about
1859, probably in Wisconsin, and they had 6 children. The family is listed on
the 1860 census of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. They are listed on the 1870,
1880 & 1900 censuses of Peremarquette Twp (Ludington), Mason Co., MI. Elizabeth
died in 1900. On the 1910 census of Peremarquette Twp (Ludington), Mason Co.,
MI., George was living with his daughter Jesse and her husband George Dodd. George
F. Thorn died Aug. 28, 1914, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Ludington,
Mason Co., MI. Photos & Records for George Francis Thorn Notes for George Francis Thorn |
 | William Allen | William Allen Thorn was born November
16, 1837 in Yates Co., New York. His parents are listed on the 1840 census
of Benton, Yates Co., NY. They moved to Steuben Co., NY sometime between 1840
to 1850, and William is listed with them at age 12 on the 1850 census of Painted
Post, Steuben Co., NY. William's mother died before he was age 16, and his father
remarried Martha Clark; possibly William had a falling out with his father at
this time, because he moved from New York to Nebraska and was listed on all census
records after that under the name William Allen. William is not listed with his
father & stepmother on the 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., NY. He
is listed as William Allen, age 23, on the 1860 census Three Grove PO, Cass Co.,
NE in the household of S. G. Todd, who was also from New York. William married
Mary Rice about 1861 in Nebraska and they had 5 children. On Jan. 4, 1864,
William enlisted as a private in the Civil War Union Army, 34th Iowa Regiment,
Company C, which was consolidated into Company G on November 12, 1864. He probably
traveled to Florida & Texas with the regiment and mustered out on August 15,
1865 in Houston, TX. Willliam & Mary are listed with their family on the 1870
census Brownville Pct, Nemaha Co., NE with William's occupation listed as Keeps
Grocery. They are on the 1880 & 1885 censuses of Fairbury, Jefferson Co.,
NE, with William's occupation listed as Carpenter in 1880. William Allen is on
the 1890 Veteran's schedule for Fairbury, Jefferson Co., NE, with no disabilities
listed at that time. He is listed as owning a bakery, confectionery in the 1890
Nebraska State Gazetteer; Business Directory for 1890-1891. The family moved from
Nebraska to Washington about 1891. They are listed on the 1892 state census and
the 1900 Federal census of Seattle, King Co., WA. They are listed on a 1906
estate deed for Lawrence Thorn as William Allen Thorn & his wife as Mary
Rice Thorn living at 2025 1/2 First Ave., Seattle, WA. They are still living at
that address on the 1910 census of Seattle, King Co., WA, but under the name William
Allen. William & Mary are listed on Seattle City Directories in 1916 &
1917. Mary Rice Allen died on May 24, 1917 in Seattle, King Co., WA, and William
is listed in the 1918 City Directory of Seattle. . William Allen (Thorn) died
on October 14, 1918 in Seattle, King Co., WA. He is buried in the Evergreen
Cemetery, and the Butterworth Mortuary in Seattle, King, Washington. Mary Jane
Harris (a descendant from Lawrence Thorn's second marriage) said that William
was known as Will, and that he was a government scout, and lived in Fairbanks,
Alaska at one time, but it is possible that the name Fairbury, Nebraska was misheard
by someone as Fairbanks, Alaska. I have not found any record that he worked for
the government, except for his Civil War duty. |
 | Fayette Thorn | Fayette Thorn was born Jan 25,
1839 in New York. His parents are listed on the 1840 census of Benton, Yates
Co., New York. They moved to Steuben Co., NY sometime between 1840 to 1850, and
Fayette is listed with them at age 11 on the 1850 census of Painted Post, Steuben
Co., NY. William's mother died before he was age 13, and his father remarried
Martha Clark in 1854. Fayette was listed at age 14 with his father & stepmother
on the 1855 state census of Scio, NY. I have not found the family in 1860 at this
time. Fayette married Georgianna Fross about 1862 and had 4 children. On
November 16, 1862, Fayette enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, and
he served in the 169th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company G, that was recruited
in Erie Co. PA (David
Dodge, who also served in the same Company, later named a son Fayette Thorn
Dodge). Fayette was mustered out with the company at Harrisburg, PA on July 26,
1863. Fayette was drafted on Sept 7, 1863 into the 105th Regiment, and was transferred
to Company A on Sept 19, 1964. He was injured and had to have his left foot amputated
due to injury. Fayette was a baker by occupation. He is on records in Erie Co.
PA from 1866 to 1879. On the 1880 & 1890 censuses he is living in Ludington,
Mason Co., MI, where his brother George lived. Fayette went to Los Angeles, California
in 1896 as his wife & daughter were ill - both women died, and at that time
an Erie, PA newspaper reported the deaths and stated that Fayette's son Wilbur
was his only surviving child. Fayette stayed in Los Angeles, CA until his death,
and is listed on the 1900, 1910 & 1920 censuses of Los Angeles, Los Angeles
Co., CA. He lived with his niece Rubie (daughter of sister Sarah Jane Thorn Brees)
in his old age in Los Angeles . He was called "Uncle Doc" by Rubie Brees'
children. Lynne Darnell, one of Rubies' descendants, has some baskets he made.
Fayette Thorn died Feb 14, 1925 in Los Angeles, CA. He is buried with Georgianna
and daughter Fayetta in the Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co.,
California. |
 | Sarah Jane Thorn | Sarah Jane "Jennie"
Thorn was born February 19, 1842 in Corning, Steuben Co., New York. She is
listed with her parents at age 8 on the 1850 census of Painted Post, Steuben Co.,
NY. Her mother died by the time she was age 12, and her father remarried Martha
Clark in 1854. Sarah Jane is listed at age 13 with her father & stepmother
on the 1855 state census of Scio, NY. I have not found the family in 1860 at this
time, but Sarah Jane joined the Erie Methodist church in August of that year,
and was listed as living in Erie, PA. Sarah Jane married Solomon E. Brees on
October 06, 1865 in Erie, Erie Co., PA, and they had 9 children. At first they
farmed in New York (near Elmira? Horseheads?), but they moved to Steele Co., MN
in the spring of 1866, and are listed on the 1870 census of Havana, Steele Co.,
MN. Then they had a claim near Owatonna, MN about 1874 - that claim was given
up very soon. The family returned to New York in 1876 with 4 of their children,
but didn't farm. In 1878, they returned to Minnesota to farm near Osakis, Douglas
Co, MN. (Cornelia Lunde Brees referred to this farm as English Grove.) The family
is listed on the 1880 & 1900 censuses of Orange, Douglas Co., MN. About 1901
they moved to the farm outside Grey Eagle, MN. The family is listed on the 1910
& 1920 censuses of Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN. Solomon died on April
08, 1921 in Grey Eagle, Todd Co., MN, and Sarah Jane died on January 06, 1922
in Osakis, Douglas Co., MN. They are both buried at the English Grove Cemetery,
Osakis, Douglas Co., MN. Their farm in Todd Co., MN was later worked by their
son Arthur Brees. |
 | Francis Edwin Thorne | Francis Edwin Thorne was born on October
20, 1843 in Corning, Steuben Co., New York. He mainly used the "Thorne"
spelling for his last name. He is listed at age 6 with his parents on the 1850
census of Painted Post, Steuben Co., NY. His mother died by the time he was 11,
and his father remarried Martha Clark in 1854. He is listed as Edwin with his
father & stepmother on the 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., NY. I
have not found the family in 1860 at this time. In 1864 Francis Edwin joined the
Civil War in Tarrytown, New York. Francis Edwin was married first to Jane Marie
"Jennie" Magill on February 14, 1866 in Sadsbury Twp., Crawford
Co., PA; they had 3 children. The family is listed on the 1870 census and the
1871 city directory of Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, occupation listed as clerk. Their
second daughter was born September 7, 1872 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and in
1875 Civil War records show the family in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. They are
on the 1880 census of Ludington, Mason, Michigan, and at that time Francis Edwin's
occupation was "works on railroad". They are listed on the 1885 state
census of Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska with his occupation listed as Farmer. Jennie
divorced Francis Edwin on June 03, 1886 and he remarried Lulu Carrie Ingersoll
on January 1, 1887 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan. Jennie died a few
months later on March 22, 1887 in Sadsbury, Crawford, Pennsylvania, and she is
buried in the Watson Run Cemetery, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania. Francis Edwin &
Lulu had 8 children. They had a child in 1890 in Helena, Montana, and in 1891
were in Spokane, Washington. They are on the 1892 state census of Douglas Co.,
Washington, and in Pullman Washington in 1893. They had children born in 1898
& 1900 in Washington, but are on the 1900 census of Jocko, Missoula, Montana
with Francis Edwins' occupation listed as as General Store. The family was sin
Spokane, Washington in 1906 and Chewlah Washington in 1908. The house in Chewlah
burned in 1909, and they are living in Spokane in 1910. They are in Spirit Lake,
Kootenai, Idaho in 1911. In 1918, Francis Edwin moved to the Old Soldiers Home
in Kitsap Co., Washington, and he is listed there on the 1920 & 1930 censuses.
Francis Edwin Thorne died May 25,1930 in Retsil, Washington. Francis is
buried in the Washington Veteran's Home Cemetery, Retsil, Kitsap Co., Washington.
The Families of Francis Edwin Thorne Notes for Francis Edwin Thorne |
 | Marietta Thorn | Marietta Thorn was born June 24, 1847, probably
in Corning, Steuben Co., New York. She is listed at age 3 on the 1850 census
of Painted Post, Steuben Co., NY. Her mother died before she was age 7, and her
father remarried Martha Clark in 1854. Maryette is listed at age 7 with her father
& stepmother on the 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., NY. I have not
found the family on the 1860 census at this time. Marietta lived in Erie, PA from
1865 until sometime in the 1870's. She signed out of the church in Erie in 1874,
married Benjamin Foust in 1878, and they are living in Crawford Co., PA
in 1880. A grandson, Harry Foust, told me that Benjamin & Maryette moved up
to Saginaw, MI, and Benjamin died of an illness shortly after they got there.
Benjamin Foust died in 1895 according to this tombstone, and he is buried in Cleveland,
Cuyahoga, Ohio with Marietta. After his death, Maryette moved to Ohio - in 1900
she is living in Cleveland, OH, and by 1906 she had moved to Ashtabula, OH, where
she lived until at least 1920. In later years she lived with her daughter Cora.
She was called "Aunt Mate" by her sister Sarah Jane's children. Marietta
Thorn Foust died December 28, 1927 in Cleveland, OH. She is buried with Benjamin
in the Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. |
| Charles Thorn | Charles Thorn was born about 1849, probably in Steuben Co., New York. I think this Charles Thorn died before 1855 - he is listed with the family on the 1850 census of Painted Post, Steuben Co., NY as being one year old, but is not listed on an 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., NY that includes this family. Also Lawrence and second wife Martha named their first son Charles. (The second Charles was born in 1857). |
Second marriage:
| Lawrence Thorn & Martha Clark | Lawrence Thorn was married Martha Clark on March 28, 1854 in Corning, Steuben Co., New York and they had 5 children. I assume his first wife Hannah died, although I have not been able to find a death record for her. I do not know who Martha's parents were. The newspaper announcement of their marriage said that Martha was from Horseheads (Chemung Co.), New York, which is where Lawrence's brother John Thorn had settled. Lawrence & Martha are on the 1855 state census of Allegany Co., New York. I have not been able to find them on the 1860 census at this time. The family moved some time between 1855 to 1867 from New York to Pennsylvania. They are listed on the 1870 & 1880 censuses for Erie, Erie Co., PA, and on tax lists and city directories there from 1867 to 1885. Lawrence Thorn died on November 23, 1884 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennslvania. His widow, Martha, is listed on the 1885 & 1889 city directories for Erie, Pennsylvania. Martha died in December 1905 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. |
Children of Lawrence Thorn & Martha Clark:
| Elisabeth Thorn | Elisabeth Thorn was born January 9, 1854 in New York. She is listed with her parents on the 1855 state census of Scio, Allegany Co., New York. I have not found the family on the 1860 census at this time. She is listed at age 15 with her parents on the 1870 census of Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. Elisabeth was age 20 when she died. Elisabeth Thorn died January 14, 1874 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. She is buried in Erie Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania, in Section N, Lot 5, along with several of her siblings. |
| Charles Thorn | Charles Thorn was born about 1857 in New York. I have not found the family on the 1860 census at this time. Charles is listed at age 14 with his parents on the 1870 census of Erie, Erie Co., PA. Charles was about age 16 when he died. His younger sister Susan died 17 days later, possibly from the same illness. Charles Thorn died January 01, 1873 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. He is buried in Erie Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania, in Section N, Lot 5 along with several of his siblings. |
| John L. Thorn | John L. Thorn was born about 1860 in NY. I
have not found the family on the 1860 census at this time. His middle name was
possibly Lawrence. He is listed at age 10 with his parents on the 1870 census
of Erie, Erie Co., PA. John is listed at age 20 on the 1880 census and
also the 1879-1881 city directories of Erie, PA - on both he is living with his
parents, with his occupation is listed as Clerk. John died February 26, 1881
in Erie, Erie Co., PA. He was 21 years old and cause of death was given as
serofula. This was probably actually "scrofula" which was a tuberculosis
of the lymph glands in the neck. It was a disease that progressed slowly and usually
was found in children and young adults. John is buried in Erie Cemetery, Erie,
Pennsylvania, in Section N, Lot 5, along with several of his siblings. |
| Susan Thorn | Susan "Susie" Thorn was born on August 29, 1862 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. She is listed at age 7 with her parents on the 1870 census of Erie, Erie Co., PA. Susan and her brother Charles died 17 days apart - maybe from the same disease?? Susan died January 18, 1873 in Erie, Erie Co., PA. She was 10 years old when she died. She is buried in Erie Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania, in Section N, Lot 5, along with several of her siblings. |
| Ida "Hattie" Thorn | Ida "Hattie"
Thorn was born about 1865 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. She is listed at
age 5 on the 1870 census and as age 14 on the 1880 census, both with her parents
in Erie, Erie Co., PA. She is listed as "Miss Hattie Thorn" on Erie
City Directories from 1881 to 1884. Hattie is the only child from the Lawrence's
second marriage that married and had children. Hattie married James Thomas
Lewis on February 25, 1885 in Erie Co., PA. They had two sons, Robert James
Lewis and Harrison Lawrence Lewis. The family is listed on the 1900 census of
Erie, Erie Co., PA. They moved from Pennsylvania to Michigan sometime between
1900 to 1910, and they are listed on the 1910 census of Detroit, Wayne Co., MI.
James died sometime between 1910 to 1920, possibly in 1913. In her half-brother
Fayette Thorn's Civil War Record there is a copy of a letter from Mrs. Hattie
Lewis, 271 Canton Ave., Detroit, Mich., April 24, 1913. Hattie wrote to the Bureau
Pensions, Washington, D.C. "Dear sir, Owing to death in family we are in
search of one Fayette Thorn. Civil War Veteran last known address was 200 W. 51st
St., Los Angeles, Calif. He being a pensioner you can send ? ? ? ? us as to his
whereabouts." Possibly James was the person who died in 1913 as I do not
know who else it might be. Hattie is listed as age 54, widowed, and living with
her married son Robert on the 1920 census of Detroit, Wayne Co., MI. She is listed
as age 64, widowed, and living with her married son Harrison on the 1930 census
of Detroit, Wayne Co., MI. According to the 1940 census, Hattie was living in
Detroit in 1935, but she is listed on the 1940 census of Tucson, Pima, Arizona,
living with married granndaughter Vera Lewis Eisenlord. Ida "Hattie"
Thorn Lewis died on February 26, 19454 in Tucson, Pima, Arizona. She is buried
in Evergreen Memorial Park, Tucson, Pima, Arizona. Notes for Ida "Hattie" Thorn Lewis |
UNKNOWN THORN PHOTOS - these are probably mostly (if not all) photos of Lawrence Thorn's children and/or grandchildren. The majority were taken in Erie Co., PA, and they were in the possession of Rubie Brees' descendants, so were probably originally photos that belonged to Fayette Thorn. (#3 above). If anyone knows who these people are, please let me know!
 | Unknown Thorn 1 | Unknown woman |
 | Unknown Thorn 2 | Taken by same studio in Erie Co. PA that also did the portraits of Francis Edwin Thorn and his daughter Gertrude Harriet Thorn. |
 | Unknown Thorn 3 | Same studio as Unknown #2 - probably same baby. |
 | Unknown Thorn 4 | Unknown man, possibly one of Lawrence's sons. I think it is George, but it may be William Allen. I do not think it is Fayette, or either of the sons from the second marriage as both died before age 21. |
 | Unknown Thorn 5 | Unknown man, companion photo to the woman that follows. I think it is Fayette Thorn, and that the woman is his wife, Georgianna Fross Thorn. The known photo I do have for Fayette (see above) looks like this photo for the cheeks and beard, shape of the face. Also these unknown photos were all ones that belonged to Fayette Thorn, and it was taken in Erie, PA where Fayette lived and worked as a baker for several years. |
 | Unknown Thorn 6 | Unknown woman, probably Georgianna Fross Thorn. See info on Unknown Thorn 5. |
 | Unknown Thorn 7 | Unknown woman, Civil War style dress. Martha Clark Thorn? Maryette? |
