Charles W. Thorngate, younger son of George and Arlouine Crandall Thorngate, was born near Brookfield, Mo., September 2, 1868. He died peacefully, after a brief illness, November 6, 1952, at his home in Dodge Center, Minn., aged 84 years.
When he was a young boy, he, with his father and mother and elder brother, Ray, all of whom have preceded him in death, moved to Valley County, Neb., where the family lived for some time. Because of wounds suffered in the Civil War, the father was incapacitated. The two boys, at an early age, had, perforce, to take upon themselves the care of the family.
On September 5, 1891, he was united in marriage with Ethel Babcock, who survives him. They have been spared to each other for 61 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Thorngate, six children were born, all now living: Mrs. Myra Barber, Ord, Neb.; Dr. George, Alfred, N. Y.; John, Eau Claire, Wis.; Mrs. Marguerite Clapper, Dodge Center, Minn.; Mrs. Wesley Baldridge, Montgomery, Minn.; and Mary, Eau Claire, Wis., and Dodge Center, Minn. There are 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. In the family there have been but four deaths until his passing: two grandchildren and two sons-in-law.
His life was active and varied. For some time he was a pioneer thresherman in Valley County where he also farmed. Later he took up the craft of carpentry. In later life he was baptized and joined the Seventh Day Baptist church of North Loup, Neb. The present edifice in North Loup is a tribute to his building ability, as well as many homes and barns in that area. He also built the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Exeland, Wis., where he served for a time as pastor.
Later he accepted the call to 'go and preach.' Licensed from the North Loup Church, December 27, 1911, he and his faithful wife moved to Exeland, Wis.; from thence to Stonefort, Ill.; to Albion, Wis.; and to Dodge Center, Minn., where he served the churches of his faith in these several places. He was with the Dodge Center Church for 12 years. While in the service of the Lord it was his privilege to assist in the marriage of his sons, George and John, and to perform the marriage of his daughters, Marguerite and Kitty, and his grandchildren, Billy, Charles Jr., Stephen, and Peggy. Likewise as a minister of the gospel it became his privilege to serve his family in the funeral services of his sons-in-law, Clyde Clapper and Jake Barber, and his grandchildren, Laurie Clapper and Kathryn Baldridge.
Modest and hard-working, he did what his hand found to do. He was a true Christian, and earnestly served the Master, whom he loved. No further tribute need to be given to him, save that he was loved by all, and that his children can rise up and call him blessed. He was buried in the Dodge Center Cemetery, with Rev. Kenneth Van Horn officiating at the service.
