William Henderson Thornburg

As printed in 1914

WILLIAM HENDERSON THORNBURG.

If anyone within the borders of Randolph county is entitled to special mention in a volume of the nature of the one in hand, it is William Henderson Thornburg, one of our venerable native-born citizens, who has here spent the major part, practically all in fact, of his seventy-three years, during which he has seen the country develop in a wonderful way and has done what he could in his immediate vicinity for the general progress of the same. He has led an active and honorable life and is a veteran of the great Civil war, and now that the calm Indian summer of his life is about him he can watch the fading of the yellow leaf with no compunction or regrets, well knowing that he has done the best he could on life's rugged pathway, under existing circumstances.

Mr. Thornburg was born on the farm on which he now lives, near Lynn, Randolph county. May ii, 1840. He is a son of Nathan and Elnora L. (Neal) Thornburg. Nathan Thornburg was born on a farm just north of his son's present place in 18 15 and was thus among the earliest white children born in this county, his parents having been very early settlers here. He was a son of Joseph and Rachael Thornburg. Joseph Thornburg was a native of Ohio, from which state he came to Randolph county, Indiana and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now Washington township. This he cleared and farmer until his death. Nathan Thornburg was reared on the farm here amid primitive frontier conditions and when a young man he purchased eighty acres, which a Mr. David had entered from the government. This land he farmer until his death in 1872. He first married Hannah Johnson, by which union three children were born, two of whom are now living. The wife and mother passed away after four years of married life. Mr. Thornburg subsequently married Elnora L. Neal, in 1838. She was a native of North Carolina, and her death occurred in February, 1885.

William H. Thornburg grew up on the home farm and he received verv little schooling. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, then began learning the blacksmith's trade. In August, 1861, he proved his patriotism by enlisting in Company F, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully in a number of campaigns, skirmishes and battles, including that of Pittsburg Landing. He was discharged for disability in the fall of 1862. He returned home and:on February 2, 1862, re-enlisted in the Forty-first Regiment, Second Indiana Cavalry, and was sent to the South a second time, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, thence down the "coast to Tallahassee, Florida, then back to Nashville, Tennessee. For meritorious service he was made a corporal. He was honorably discharged July 29, 1865.- After returning home he followed blacksmithing tmtil 1882, being regarded as one of the most skillful workmen in the county. He was elected sherifJ of Randolph county in 1882 and served one term in a most satisfactory manner, and although he was urged to accept a second, declined to do so. He then bought the home farm where he has since lived, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated.

Politically, ]\Mr. Thornburg is Progressive. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Masonic order. Religiously he belongs to the Society of Friends.

Mr. Thornburg was married in February, 1864 to Emily A. Chamness, who was born in Xorth Carolina, February 25, 1845. To this union eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living, namely: Malinda J., who married W. J. Roberts, lives in Oregon; Elizabeth E. is the wife of J. Clendenning, of Jay county, Indiana; James N. lives in White River township; J. F lives in Arkansas; Raymond A. is a teacher in the state of Washington; Emory H. is a veterinary physician of Lynn, this county; and Reba is the wife of O. Clark and they are living in Oregon.

Emory H. Thornburg was born August 3, 1888 in Washington township, this county, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools and spent one year in the Valparaiso Normal, taking the teachers' course. He taught school two years in Jay county, then entered the Indiana Veterinary College at Indianapolis, from which he was graduated, in 1912, having made a splendid record there. He practiced with Dr. Clevenger at Winchester a short time, then opened an office at Lynn where he has remained and is building up a large and lucrative practice. He has had splendid success in all his work. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Friends church and belongs to the Indiana Veterinary College Association.

As printed in Past and present of Randolph County, Indiana : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.