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Arthur Lee Thornton: Among the towns of rapid and substantial growth in southeastern Oregon, Lakeview is prominent and its businessmen are of the class whose labors promise well for the future of the district. Among them is A. L. Thornton, a druggist, whose well-appointed store would be a credit to a city of much larger size. He was born in Roseburg on December 2, 1878, a son of Samuel Isaac and Mary Jane (Singleton) Thornton. The father, who was a native of St. Joseph. Missouri, crossed the plains with ox teams in 1864 and made his way to Roseburg by way of The Dalles and Portland. Later he was married there to Mary J. Singleton, a native of that place, and they still reside in the town. Samuel I. Thornton, who was formerly engaged in ranching, is now living retired. Of their family of five children, A. L. Thornton is the eldest, the others being: Lena, the wife of John Atterbury of Roseburg; Edward, Lane and Clifford, all of that place.

A. L. Thornton remained with his parents in Roseburg until 1894, and in early life secured employment in a drug store there. He afterward attended the Corvallis State College, where he studied pharmacy, being graduated from that department with the class of 1902. He afterward worked for W. L. Delano, of Eugene, and D. J. Fry, of Salem, and from Eugene removed to Lakeview on the 5th of August, 1905. Here he purchased the drug store of Lee Beall and for a year was in partnership with Alexander Patterson, whose interest he afterward took over. He has since been alone in business and practically his entire time is devoted to the store, although he also has ranching interests in this locality. He carries a large stock of staple and fancy drugs and druggists sundries, and the progressive policy which he pursues and his business methods are such as commend him to the liberal support of the public.

Mr. Thornton is pleasantly situated in home life. He married Kathleen Canfield, a native of McMinnville, Oregon, and a daughter of F. J. Canfield. They have two children, Lane and Lee. Mr. Thornton is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and a past master of his local lodge. He also holds membership with the Elks and the Woodmen of the World and he gives his political support to the democratic party. For four years he has served as a member of the board of education at Lakeview and is now its president. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion who believes that the public school is the bulwark of the nation and therefore deems it right that children should be afforded the best educational advantages possible. Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912 Illustrated Volume IV (1912); S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Transcribed by Vicki Bryan Geneaology Trails Lake County Oregon Arthur Thornton, known locally as "Pop", ran his drugstore (known generally by the name Thornton Rexall Drugstore) until his death February 1, 1955. The store was continued by his grandson, Leland Lane ("Skip") Thornton until 2005. Skip Thornton in turn passed on April 6, 2006.