Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/964

 S26 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY months after his arrival here. Nels spent a larger part of his life in Red Wing, working in lumber and flour mills and as elerk in a hardware store, the latter employment occupying his atten- tion for fifteen years. In 1862. while still practically a boy, he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain (now Judge) AY. W. Williston and Lieu- tenants Herman Betcher and Daniel Densmore. The company engaged the Indians in battle at Wood Lake September 22, 1862, and continued the campaign in Minnesota until the execution of thirty-nine of the ring leaders at Mankato, which Mr. Thornberg witnessed. The regiment was then ordered south and placed in the sixteenth army corps, being discharged at Fort Snelling at the close of the war in L865. In 1 !><><> Mr. Thornberg decided to spend the remainder of his life on a farm, and consequently purchased his present place. His abilities have been recognized to the extent of his being called to serve as chairman of Wacouta as well as on the school board, lie is also assessor of the town- ship. Mr. Thornberg still retains his membership in the United Workmen and the G. A. R. at Red Wing, lie Avas married in 1872 to Nellie Nelson, daughter of Abram Nelson, who came from Sweden in the fifties and settled in Yasa township, this county, later moving to Douglass county. .Minnesota. Mrs. Thronberg died May 30, 1008. leaving four children. Ernest, the oldest, is a jeweler in Park River. N. D. Anna. Eda, who is a school teacher, and Clarence are at home with their father. W. H. Turner, retired farmer, is an old resident of Kenyon and during the long period of his life here he has always been known as an honorable and law-abiding citizen. His record of public service includes nine years as chairman of the township of Kenyon, several terms as assessor, eighl years as justice of the peace, and many years as ;i school officer of his district. He was born in New York. November 6, 1839, a son of Henry and Mar- garet (Sprague). Turner, the for r of whom died in New York state. The latter came to Kenyon and for many years, until her death in 1886, kept house for her son. In the family were eight children, two of whom, aside from AY. H., are still living, namely: Lyman and Delia. W. H. came to this county in 1868 and pur- chased a farm in Kenyon township. He has now practically re- tired, and rents his farm, but still does some work on it when he feels so inclined. In the early days Mr. Turner was a school teacher, and he still keeps up his interest in education, being a great reader. He is unmarried and lives alone, but finds in his work and his books the consolation and companionship that oth- ers find in their families. Mr. Turner is a veteran of the Civil War. having enlisted in 1864 in Company B. Forty-first Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, receiving his discharge at the close of