James Thornton

Before the creation of the welfare state, immigrants who came to this country were for the most part attracted by America’s reputation as a land of freedom and opportunity. Laws and customs that then prevailed required immigrants to carve out their individual destinies by their own labor, perseverance, intelligence, and determination.

She never met a stranger - everybody was a friend, she had a huge life at 10 years old. She had a footprint bigger than most people who are 70-, 80-, 90-years-old.