Thornton, Jesse (1901 - 1943) Velma Wagner (1917 - 1987)

Thornton, Jesse (1901 - 1943) Velma Wagner (1917 - 1987) Jesse began as a boy to experiment with magic tricks. For several years he was a professional magician, but then he turned his attention to inventing magic apparatus for the Abbott's Magic Novelty Company. Jesse was in an automobile accident (with U.F. Grant) and had serious leg injuries. For 12 months he was bed ridden. His mind, kept working on magic and he was able to describe many of his ideas to his assistants in the plant. Sec 5; Row 23; # 1

JESSE THORNTON PHOTO GALLERY
Jessee Thornton was also an employee of Abbott's

Jesse has had an unusual experience in Magic, starting when he was a boy in Danville, Ill., continuing through years spent in various types of show business. In his professional career, he at one time presented a mind reading act, and then like many other professionals Magicians, he spent some time with carnivals enriching his experience by performing varied types of Magic and illusions.

At one time, while there was still vaudeville in the land, Jesse did an act for the two-or three-a-day, featuring a watch and clock act, long before any other specialist in this type of Magic came to this country.

Much more could be said about his life as a performer, but of interest to Magicians is the fact that Jesse is a mechanical wizard of no mean ability in the development of new tricks and apparatus.

In the three years that Jesse spent with Abbott's his skill as an inventor of original Magic and his unusual ability to fabricate intricate devices contributed greatly to the magic world.

Then came the long sojourn Jesse had in the hospital following an automobile accident, which eventually necessitated amputation of his left leg, He returned to the plant to work but Jesse Thornton died the next year (1943). He was born in 1901. His wife, Velma, lived until 1987.

Yes, there are many descendants of Jesse in the Colon area.