“CARY THORNTON, retired, Joliet…, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Oct. #, 1800;  his ancestors were Quakers, and came to Pennsylvania with Wm. Penn in 1681; the subject of this sketch lived with his parents until he was 23 years of age, assisting upon the farm; in 1823 he moved to Michigan, and, after remaining one year, removed to Rochester, N.Y.; engaged in the trade of carpenter and joiner up to 1836, when he came to Will. Co., and settled in Troy Tp., on Sec. 34, framing up to the time of his removal to Joliet, in 1866, where he still resides, at the good old age of 79.  He has been Commissioner of Highways, and although repeatedly solicited, he would never accept any other office in the gift of his neighbors.

He married Miss Lucy Ware (the daughter of Benjamin and Betsy Ware), at Rochester, N.Y., Oct. 21, 1832; she was born in Putman Co., Vt., July 18, 1810; they had three children, two living–Rutledge, born Aug. 1, 1834, and Beulah, born Oct. 15, 1839, and married to John Keyes, of Joilet, Oct. 21, 1872; and one deceased, Sidney, born June 22, 1846, and died April 4, 1848.

Mr. Thornton is the oldest living settler of Troy. Tp.”

Source:  The History of Will Co. Illinois, Wm. LeBaron Jr. and Co., Chicago, 1878, page 721