lege, got her B.A. Degree and taught school in Decorah from 1966-1984, when she retired.

Ray and Arlene had 3 sons: Larry, Leslie and Lee. Larrv graduated from Mankato State University with a degree in accounting. He worked in Minneapolis for a year, Holland Brother’s Construction for 20 years and is now working for Reilly Brothers in Ossian, IA. He married Jacqueline Borchert 23 May 1970 and to this union were born 3 children: Lance; Mitchell and Jody,  Leslie graduated from Mankato State University after being drafted into the Army and serving in Vietnam. He got his Certified Public Accounting license and worked for Blue Cross, Blue Shield in Minneapolis. He is now working in Ames, IA for D. D. Pyle. He married Julie Lawson 6 Dec 1979 and to them were born 2 sons: Jon and Paul. They live in Boone, IA. Lee graduated from Iowa State University at Ames with a degree in Sociology and Zoology. He worked for White Tractor in Charles City, IA then moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he worked for Litton Microwave and is now part owner and manager of Granite Accents. Lee married Judy Ellingson 14 Aug 1971. They have 3 daughters: Kara; Heather and Rachael.

Thornton, Andrew and Pearl (Ruth)

(Glen and DeLoris Thornton)

Andrew and Pearl Thornton's Wedding Picture

Andrew Phillip Thornton was born 29 Oct 1900 in Winneshiek Co. to W. O. and Jane (Gordanier) Thornton. His brothers and sisters were: Roy, Bessie, Eva, Gladys, Mabel, Richard and Dorothy. Andrew married Pearl Juno Ruth 28 Jun 1922. Pearl was born 17 Dec 1901 in Winneshiek Co. to Bert and Grace (Brickner) Ruth. Pearl’s brothers and sisters were: Sidney, Estelle, Hattie and Earl. Andrew and Pearl had 2 sons: Glen and Ronald.

Glen was born in Winneshiek Co. He attended rural schools and graduated from Decorah High School. Ronald was born in Winneshiek Co. and attended school in Decorah.

Andrew and Pearl were members of the United Methodist Church. They farmed in Winneshiek Co. for 22 years. The Public Opinion Newspaper featured Andrew with his McCormick Deering tractor and binder cutting his field of wheat, barley and oats and noted him operating the tractor with one hand, the binding controls with the other hand, tripping the bundle carrier with one foot and still having

Andrew and Pearl on their 50th Wedding Anniversary
at United Methodist Church, June 1972.

time to enjoy his cigar. In 1944 Andrew and Pearl sold the farm and moved to Decorah. Andrew bought out Sid Brickner’s half of the S.E. Brickner & Son business. After one year he sold it back to Sid Brickner. In 1946 he started building his own feed store at 201 E. Broadway. It was built of cement block with 4 grain silos for storage. On 7 Feb 1947 the Thornton Feed Store opened for business. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad laid a private side track for the business which was a great advantage as many train cars brought in feed, salt and fertilizer. The business thrived and an addition was built on to the feed store as well as 2 garages and steel grain bins. Andrew was assisted in the business by his son Glen and in 1967 Glen bought the feed store. Andrew died 18 Sep 1972 in Winneshiek Co. of cancer.

Pearl taught rural schools in Glenwood and Canoe Twps. before her marriage and was active with the 4-H clubs for many years, promoting the welfare of the Winneshiek Co. rural 4-H girls. Pearl enjoyed gardening,