Thornton, Dan, 1911-1976

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Daniel Thornton was born and raised in Tex. in 1911. He attended Texas Technological University for two years and earned his degree at UCLA. Thornton began ranching in 1937 in Springerville, Ariz. He later established the White Mountain Hereford Ranch in the early 1940s when he and his wife, Jessie Willock, moved to Gunnison, Colo. Here they established the Thornton Ranch where he developed the Triumphant Type Hereford. Thornton sold two of his bulls for a record $50,000 each in the 1945 National Western Stock Show. In 1948, he ran unopposed for the Colo. State Senate and held the seat until 1950, when he was elected Governor. While in office, Governor Thornton attended the annual Governor's Conferences. After two terms in office, from 1951 to 1955, he chose not to seek a third term. An ardent advocate and friend of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Thornton campaigned for his election to the US Presidency and nominated the General at the Republican National Convention. President Eisenhower appointed Thornton to numerous committees. He remained active in public and personal projects until his death in 1976.

From the description of Governor Daniel Thornton papers 1929-2001 [manuscript]. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 44451990

Rancher and political figure. Born in Hall County, Texas, 1911, and graduated from Lubbock High School in 1929.

Attended Texas Technological College from 1930-1931, and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles. Developed the Thorton's Triumphant Type (TT) strain of Hereford cattle. A Republican, Thornton was elected to the Colorado State Senate in 1948, and served two terms as Governor of Colorado from 1951-1954. Ran for the U.S. Senate seat for Colorado in 1956, but was defeated. Died in 1976.

From the description of Papers, 1924-1956. (Texas Tech University). WorldCat record id: 22980959

Relation Name
associatedWith Boulder Chamber of Commerce. corporateBody
associatedWith Boulder Daily Camera. corporateBody
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Mamie Doud, 1896-1979 person
associatedWith Frieberger, Curt. person
associatedWith Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964. person
associatedWith Johnson, Emil A., 1887-1956. person
associatedWith Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994. person
associatedWith Ragen, Arthur S., Mrs., person
associatedWith Republican Party (Colo.) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaffer, Jeanne E. (Jeanne Ellison), 1925-2007. person
associatedWith Shivers, Allan. person
associatedWith Thornton, Jessie Willock person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Colorado--Gunnison County
Colorado
Gunnison (Colo.)
Colorado
Subject
Beef cattle breeds
Cattle
Cattle breeders
Governor
Governors
Hereford cattle
Politicians
Ranchers
Ranching
4-H Clubs
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1911-01-31

Death 1976-01-19

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