Robert Henderson

HENDERSON, GRAY, EVANS

Posted By: Martha Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/7/2009 at 15:13:06

ROBERT HENDERSON, a thrifty and prosperous agriculturist of Cameron Township, was born in the State of Vermont, near St. Johnsbury, October 11, 1851. His father, William Henderson, a native of Scotland, came to America in his youth. His grandfather, William Henderson, was also a native of Scotland. The mother of Robert Henderson was Hannah Gray, a daughter of William Gray, and a sister of George Gray, of Audubon County. She died when Robert was eight years old. The father is still living, at the age of seventy five years, on the old homestead where our subject was born. Robert remained under the parental roof until his twentieth year, receiving the advantage of a district school education, and also a few terms at the Peacham Academy. After leaving school the spirit of youth would no longer be restrained, and he journeyed to the west, seeking the best in store for him. His first sojourn was in Stark County, Illinois, where he remained one year. He then went to Adair County, Iowa, and thence to Audubon County, taking charge of George Gray's ranch, which he opened up and managed for four years. Within this period he was married to Miss Ellen Evans, of Peacham, Vermont, a daughter of Charles Evans, Esq. After his marriage Mr. Henderson purchased 160 acres of land which was new and unimproved. The courage of the pioneer can scarcely be appreciated in this day, when there is so little that is new; but Mr. Henderson was equal to the occasion, and began with a will to claim from Nature all that she would yield. He broke out the farm, made many valuable improvements, and added to it from time to time until he now owns 400 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He pays special attention to feeding hogs and cattle, shipping several cars annually. He also has some very fine horses for farm use. In 1888 he erected a large barn with sheds attached, having a capacity for seventy five head of cattle and twenty five head of horses. The confidence reposed in Mr. Henderson is attested in the fact that for several years he has served as township trustee. He began his career at the bottom round of the ladder, but by energy, industry and untiring effort he has accumulated a good competence. Mr. Henderson is of a genial, frank disposition, and during his residence in the county has won a host of friends.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

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