Henry Thorngate was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., September 29, 1829, and died at his home in North Loup, Neb., April 15, 1925, aged about ninety-five and one-half years.
In early manhood, while living in New York, he was converted and became a member of the Persia (N. Y.) Seventh Day Baptist Church. Among the members of the church were the family of Elder Oscar Babcock, Porter Crandall, C. P. Rood, and others who were early settlers of North Loup, Nebraska.
In 1845 the Thorngates, Roods, Babcocks, and Crandalls moved to Wisconsin, first settling near Milwaukee; later they moved to near Milton, and still later to the central part of the state. Here, near the little village of Dakota, Henry Thorngate and Lorenda Crandall were united in marriage by Rev. George C. Babcock. Here, too, a Seventh Day Baptist Church was organized of which Mr. Thorngate was a member.
On June 23, 1861, with his brother, David, he enlisted; and his regiment was part of the famous Iron Brigade, made famous because of its ready service, the physical endurance of its men, and their courage on the battle field. In the Battle of South Mountain Mr. Thorngate was severely wounded, and because of his wound was given an honorable discharge.
After his discharge, he returned to his home in Wisconsin, and here he lived until 1866, when his family, together with those of several others, moved to near Brookfield, Mo. At that place a Seventh Day Baptist Church was organized, Mr. Thorngate becoming a constituent member. He was chosen to serve the church as deacon, though he was not ordained.
In 1879 he moved to North Loup, Neb., where he became a member of the church of his faith and was chosen and ordained a deacon. He held various official positions in his church; serving as moderator, treasurer, clerk, and trustee at different times. For many years he served as a teacher in the Sabbath School.
He held important offices in the civic life of the community where it was said of him that he was just and was anxious that justice should be done at all times.
Funeral services were held at the Seventh Day Baptist church in North Loup, Neb., conducted by his pastor, Rev. Herbert L. Polan, and the body was laid to rest in the Hillside Cemetery.
