Axel Henderson

HENDERSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 13:13:58

Axel Henderson is the cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Boxholm, Boone county, also serving from time to time as county treasurer. He is recognized as an able financier and banker and in full measure receives the confidence and trust of all who have business transactions with him. He was born in Sweden on April 29, 1875, a son of Andrew and Emma (Hagberg) Henderson, natives of that country. The father was a shoemaker by trade and upon coming to America located in Moingona, Boone county, where he followed his vocation until 1886, when he removed to Pilot Mound. There both he and his wife still reside, the former at the age of seventy-eight and the latter at the age of seventy-three.
Axel Henderson was only five years of age when he came with his parents to America and was reared and educated in Boone county. After laying aside his text books he accepted a position as clerk with N J A Calson, continuing with that gentleman for about five years. He then engaged in the real estate and insurance business for about a year, after which he became a bookkeeper in the Pilot Mound Bank, where he was employed until 1901, when he came to Boxholm. He was chosen cashier of the Farmers Bank, which position he held until 1907, in which year he was appointed county treasurer of Boone county to fill a vacancy. At the end of his term he became a candidate and was elected to the office, faithfully discharging his duties until 1911, when the agriculturists of Boxhol, organized the Farmers State Bank with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Mr Henderson accepting the position of cashier. He has ever since held the cashier sip of his bank and has been able to extend its business and prestige to a remarkable degree. He holds stock it eh institution aid is therefore personally interested, In 1910 a modern, two story brick building was erected, equipped with all the latest banking devices. They now have one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars on deposit and their surplus is reaching two thousand dollars. The present officers are: J E Reutter, president, Carl Will, vice president, and Axel Henderson, cashier, while the directors are J E Reutter, E S Thorngren, Carl Will, F E Carlson and C J Swanson.
On Feburary 24, 1909, Mr Henderson married Miss Esther Thorngren, a daughter of J O and Josephine (Chingren) Thorngren, who came to America in 1866, the father engaging in farming in Grant township, Boone county, where he remained until 1886, when he settled in Pilot Mound, where for many years he was very successful in the grain, live stock and lumber business. He so continued until 1905, when he retired and moved to Minneapolis, but the climate of that city proved too severe and he soon returned to Boone county, taking up his residence upon one of his farms near Pilot Mound, where he made his home until his death on February 29, 1912. Mrs Thorngren is now making her home with Mr and Mrs Henderson.
Mr Henderson has served as town clerk of Pilot Mound and since becoming a resident of Boxholm has always taken a deep interest in the progress of this town. Politically he is a republican, and his religious faith is that of the Swedish Mission church. He is popular in fraternal circles, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias. There is much that is commendable in the career of Mr Henderson a career which might serve as an example to younger generation in demonstrating what may be achieved when ambition and determination lead the way.

1914 Boone County History Book