Lawrence William Thorne was born December 5, 1882 in Dana to Frank P. and Alice Carrie Houchin Thorne. He married Ola Borders Botner on December 25, 1904 in Clinton. He was a farmer. He was the father of 4 children: Ilo Elizabeth, William Lawrence, Cecil and Mary Alice. He died December 11, 1946 at his home in Dana. Two stories have been given as the reason for his death, one being that he committed suicide and was found by his wife in a well. The second was given by a non-family member living in the vicinity at the time that said there were two prints of snow leading to the well, but only one leaving the well. He was found with a cinder block around his neck. He is buried in Bono Cemetery.