**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Thorton H. FLEMING, M. D. Pages 437-438, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins [Surnames: BENTLEY, BLAINE, COHAGEN, FLEMING, FOWLER, NUTT, PIERNIE, PITHIAN, SISLEY] THORNTON H. FLEMING, M. D. How often is it the case that men of superior mental ability are the victims of physical suffering. Almost it would seem that each life must have some cross to bear through the earthly pilgrimage, and the subject of our sketch is no exception to the general rule, being a great sufferer from rheumatism. Through the whole of his active career, Dr. Fleming was forced to endure the pangs of this disease, and at different times has been compelled to use crutches. Our subject belongs to an old and aristocratic family of Virginia, the Flemings through several generations having come from that State, and being at all times prominent in public and social affairs. The Doctor's birth occurred near Richmond, Virginia, on the ninth day of September, 1810, his parents being Thornton and Sarah (Cohagen) Fleming, natives of the same State. Dr. Fleming's grandfather -- Samuel Fleming -- was a Colonel in the English army, but resigning that position came with his family to the United States, settling in that grand old State that has contributed so many noble sons to the country, and the home of so many cultured families. Three of his sons, Samuel Jr., Robert, and Thomas, enlisted in the American army during the Revolutionary War, and lost their lives while doing service; the youngest son (our subject's father) being a young collegiate student at that time. Samuel Fleming was killed by one of his slaves. Our subject's father received an excellent education, and entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry. He was twice married, and by is first marriage had only one daughter. The second marriage was with our subject's mother, and to them were born four children; vix., Grace Ann; Thornton H.; LeRoy C. and Sarah J., of whom Dr. Fleming is the only one living at the present writing. During the later years of his life the father moved to Pennsylvania, and in that State both he and his wife died. Thus our subject spent part of his youth in the old southern home, and part in the northern one, and in this way gained a knowledge of the manners and customs of each. He attended school in Pennsylvania until sixteen years old, and then entered Madison College, Uniontown, the same State, and graduated from this college in the year 1824. It was here that our subject, when a boy, knew James G. Blaine quite well. After completing his education, Dr. Fleming took up the study of medicine under the instructions of James C. Fowler, M. D., and in 1838 was graduated from the Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. He entered into a partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. John B. Pithian, at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, practicing there until 1846, at which time he came West, locating at Waterloo, Illinois. In 1848 our subject moved to Liverpool but finally, in 1853, made a permanent location in Canton. At present he does no active work, only attending old friends, and a number of poor people, who except for his kindness would suffer. Dr. Fleming has been twice married, both times in Pennsylvania. First to Miss Hannah Bentley, in June 1834. She was a daughter of Schesch Bozzor Bentley and died one year after her marriage. In 1846 our subject married Miss Mary A. Nutt, daughter of Samuel and Ruhamah (Sisley) Nutt. She died in Canton in 1878, leaving one son -- LeRoy C. This son married Miss Phene Piernie in 1873, of which union has been born one child; Harry Purdy. LeRoy C. Fleming is a prosperous farmer in this county. The subject of our sketch does not belong to any secret societies, or church, having rather original ideas upon these subjects. He is a man who has done an immense amount of good for poor people who needed medical treatment and were unable to pay for same; and while this generosity has prevented him from accumulating a large fortune, though he has a competence for old age -- the Doctor is happy in the consciousness of having performed his duty in the strictest way. He was especially kind to the soldier's families during the war. Dr. Fleming, in 1861, was appointed Army Surgeon for the One Hundred and Third Illinois Regiment, but after reaching Mississippi, was forced by a severe attack of rheumatism to return home. He is still a great sufferer from this disease, but surrounded by a host of loving friends and admiring neighbors, he passes the years comfortably and happily. In politics the Doctor is a stanch Republican.