Charles Jonas Thornton (May 30, 1850 – July 2, 1932) was a political figure in Durham, Ontario. He was born in Clarke Township, Ontario and was a farmer. He was elected to the township council and served on the body for seven years. He also served on Durham West county council for five years. Thornton first ran for the House of Commons of Canada as a Patrons of Industry candidate in Durham West during the 1896 federal election but fared poorly coming in third place with less than 500 votes. Thornton was a member of the Orange Order. He died in Orono, Ontario in 1932.