Henshey, Roger G.

HENSHEY, KEEFE, ODONNELL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 13:49:09

ROGER G. HENSHEY

Since 1866 this gentleman has been one of the trusted employes (sic) of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, and during all this time has been an honored resident of Clinton. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 12, 1851, and is a son of Roger and Ellen (Keefe) Henshey. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living in Boston at the age of seventy years. She has made several visits to her son in Iowa. In the family were three children: Roger G., of this review; and John and William, both jewelers of Boston.

Roger G. Henshey began his education in the public schools of his native city, but in 1858 came west to Fulton, Illinois, to make his home with his grandparents, and completed his education there. His grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, subsequently removed to Clinton, Iowa, where his death occurred. His wife had previously died in Fulton. Our subject attended school until fifteen years of age, and remained on the farm with his grandparents until he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway in 1866, when he removed to Clinton.

Mr. Henshey was but sixteen years of age when he went upon the road as fireman on an old wood burner, and two years later was promoted to engineer, being at that time the youngest engineer on the road between Clinton and Belle Plaine. After several years spent in the freight service, he was given a passenger run in 1886, and is now engineer on No. 15, the fast mail. He has met with no serious accidents, and has never failed to draw his pay on every pay day since he entered the employ of the company. He was watched with interest the many changes that have taken place in railroading since he became connected with it. Although he started out in life with no influence to aid him, he has steadily progressed, and has won success in the face of opposing circumstances.

At Clinton, in 1879, Mr. Henshey was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. O’Donnell, who was born in Dundee, Illinois, in 1857, but came to Clinton with her parents during infancy. She was educated in the public schools of this city and at Sacred Heart Convent, Chicago. Some years prior to his marriage Mr. Henshey purchased the lot on which his home now stands, and in 1880 erected thereon a comfortable residence. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and Clinton Division, No. 125, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, with which he as been connected since attaining his majority, and in which he has held office. He is very popular in railroad circles, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He is a lover of good literature and by careful reading has become an exceedingly well informed man.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.