Thornhill Francis Broome

Who was Thornhill Francis Broome?

Thornhill Francis Broome.

Thornhill Francis Broome was born in Santa Barbara, California on August 10, 1878. He was a business man and ranch owner in southern California, as evidenced in his ownership of the land that once belonged to his father. In addition to being a ranch owner, his business contributions are evidenced through Broome being the president of multiple companies in Illinois. His father was William Richard Broome an English gentleman of leisure who came to Santa Barbara, California from England to find better weather for his health. His mother was Lady Frances Broome, an Englishwoman whose eccentricities often kept her in the public eye. In 1871, William Richard Broome purchased part of the Rancho Guadalasca Mexican land grant. Lady Frances Broome's defiance of American courts and institutions resulted in the loss of a large amount of her property, which was left to her by her late husband. Thornhill went to England as a young man to further his education. He achieved a degree, and was highly educated in law. While he was in England he served in the military and fought in South Africa in the Boer War representing England.