Thornley graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1927 where he sold Wearever cook ware to go through school. He came to Moorhead, MN in May 1932 and started Wells Dray and Parcel in February 1933 during the depression era. He spent the war years as the Provost Marshall at the prisoner of war camp at Fort Carson, CO and was in the 10th Mountain Division. After the war, he remained in the reserves and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Army.
He entered politics in the 50’s as an alderman for Moorhead. He served as the mayor for two terms from 1954 through 1957 before serving as county commissioner from 1957 through 1972.
He passed away March 19, 1995, in Navarre, Florida at the home of his grandson, Shawn and his wife Bettye, where he had been visiting.
