Henderson, Martin L.

HENDERSON, MIKELSON, HENRYSON, SOWERS, WILLIAMS, JOHNSON, OLSON, MELBERG, TJERNAGEL, ERICKSON

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/22/2009 at 21:49:41

History of Hamilton County Iowa, 1912,Vol.II p.83

MARTIN L. HENDERSON

Martin L. Henderson is numbered among the men of Hamilton County who by keeping abreast of modern advancement in agricultural methods, by being progressive, up-to-date and systematic in their policies and by constantly improving and developing their fine farms are rapidly raising agriculture to the plane of a definite science. He owns and operates three hundred and seventy acres of productive land in Ellsworth township and is ranked among the individual forces in the development and advancement of his section. He is a native of Hamilton County, a son of a pioneer in its settlement and has always been identified with the agricultural interests of his community. He was born in Scott township, January 19, 1864, a son of Lars and Sarah (Mikelson) Henryson. His father was born in Norway, March 22, 1822, and came to Hamilton County in 1858. Although he was a carpenter by trade he engaged in general agricultural pursuits during the greater period of his residence in America and died in Randall, November 12, 1896. His wife was a native of Norway, born in 1836, and she makes her home in Randall. In their family were seven children: Martin L., of this review; Michas, who is now living in Story City; Annas M., who is serving as postmaster of Story City; Alexander, of Story City; Mrs. Jacob Williams, whose husband is serving as postmaster of Randall; Ole J., who is county attorney of Hamilton County; and Mrs. Maggie Sowers, who resides in Ellsworth township. All of the children were born and reared in Scott township. Lars Henryson, the father of our subject, was one of the early settlers in Hamilton County and his life and activities were identified with a period of development and change. When he and his wife came to this part of Iowa they had Indians for neighbors, and there were but few log houses in the vicinity. They were, indeed, pioneers and it can be truthfully said that Lars Henryson lightened the burdens of many poor settlers, rendering them charity and able service, and aiding in the accomplishment of their prosperity and success in order that Hamilton County might in the future have the very best class of people as factors in its development. That he was a splendid judge of men is best evidenced by the rapid growth of this part of the country. This history would be far from complete were we to omit reference to one who did so much unselfish work in pioneer times and who was such an important factor in making the people of Hamilton County prosperous, happy and contented. He left a heritage to those who followed him greater than any accumulation of material wealth—"He dealt fairly and justly with his fellow men, never seeking to take any advantage that would materially aid himself." This is the sum and substance of his life work.

Martin Henderson was educated in the public schools of his native section and his early life was spent upon his father's farm. He has always been identified with agricultural pursuits and at the present time owns three hundred and seventy acres in Ellsworth township, equipped with all the improvements necessary to the conduct and management of two model farms. He has erected many large barns, sheds and silos and has the finest granary in Hamilton County. This he has equipped with scales to weigh the grain, an elevator to carry the corn and oats to two large bins, each of which has a capacity of six thousand bushels. A large gasoline engine does the elevating and in addition to this Mr. Henderson has a grain cleaner and a sheller which is also attached to the engine. He has been foremost in establishing these advantages for the modern conduct of a farm and is very enthusiastic over every new development and improvement —a leader as it were in eliminating the drudgery of farm life in the west. He resides upon his property in a comfortable, modern and well furnished home, equipped with all necessary conveniences and accessories. He gives most of his time to stockraising.

Mr. Henderson was united in marriage June 4, 1889, to Miss Josephine Johnson, who was born in La Salle County, Illinois, December 25, 1863, a daughter of John and Sophia (Olson) Johnson, natives of Norway. Her mother passed away in Benton County, Iowa, and her father died in the same section August 9, 1873. In their family were four children: Mrs. Delia Melberg, of Benton County, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Tjernagel, of Story City; Josephine, the wife of our subject; and Martin, who resides in Scott township. Mrs. Henderson came to Iowa with her parents in 1865 and remained at home until her marriage. She and her husband became the parents of seven children: Mrs. Myrtle Josephine Erickson, who was born June 22, 1891, and who resides in Randall; Walter LeRoy, whose birth occurred June 29, 1892, who during his vacations assists his father in the conduct of the home farm; Frances Cornelia, and Porter Irving, both of whom reside at home; twins, who died in infancy; and Porter I., who passed away at the age of three years. All the children were born in Randall. Mrs. Erickson, in addition to securing a common-school education attended Jewell College of Jewell, while Walter has attended Morning-side College, and is at present a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

In his political affiliations Mr. Henderson is a consistent republican and has served as justice of the peace. For a number of years he held the position of township trustee and was secretary of the school board for almost fifteen years. He has carried on his father's work of development and improvement, changing his methods to keep pace with modern advancement but adhering steadily to the old standards of honesty and industry. He has shown a progressive spirit and intelligent business discrimination combined with a faculty for making his ability effective and is a native son of whom Hamilton County has every reason to be proud.