James Thorington

James Thorington (May 7, 1816 - June 13, 1887) was a U.S. Representative from Iowa.

Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Thorington moved with his parents to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1827.He attended the common schools, the military school in Fayetteville, North Carolina from 1830 to 1832, and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa 1832-1835.He studied law in Montgomery, Alabama.He engaged in trading and trapping on the upper Missouri and Columbia Rivers 1837-1839.He moved to Davenport, Iowa, in 1839.He was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced practice in Davenport.He served as mayor of Davenport 1843-1847. Probate judge of Scott County 1843-1851.He served as clerk of the district court of Scott County 1846-1854.

Thorington was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1855-March 3, 1857).He was not a candidate for renomination in 1856.He was affiliated with the Republican Party. Sheriff of Scott County 1859-1863. Recorder 1864-1868.He was appointed consul at Aspinwall, Colombia, January 21, 1873.He was appointed commercial agent at the same city May 27, 1873, and served in both positions until October 21, 1882.He died while on a visit to his daughter at Santa Fe, N.Mex., June 13, 1887.He was interred in Oakdale Cemetery, Davenport, Iowa.

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