Henry, John A.

HENRY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 11:53:14

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.779

HENRY BROTHERS [JOHN A. HENRY & OBEDIAH H. HENRY]
Among the representative citizens of Indianola are numbered 0. H. and J. A. Henry, who constitute the firm of Henry Brothers. They have re­sided in the city since 1905 and they own and conduct a large stock and grain farm three miles east of Indianola, on which they resided for forty years. They are therefore numbered among the early settlers of the county and have been interested witnesses of its development and progress while in many ways they have cooperated in movements that have resulted beneficially to the county.
Both are natives of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, the former having been born there February 4, 1842, while J. A. Henry was born on the 12th of January, 1838. They are sons of Richard Henry, who was likewise a native of that county, born in 1811, his life record covering the intervening years to 1887. He always followed the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood in support of his family. He was married in the Keystone state to Miss Jane Culbertson, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1813 and died in 1892. They became the parents of six children, all of whom reached adult age. The father followed farming in Pennsylvania until 1866, when he came to Warren County, Iowa, with his family. Here he purchased land and made a home near the farm which is now the property of Henry Brothers. Upon that place he and his wife spent their remaining days.
Their sons were trained to habits of industry, economy and perseverance and early became familiar with the work of the farm in its various phases. After the outbreak of the Civil War, John A. Henry offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company H, of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry. He remained at the front for three years and was wounded in the sanguinary conflict at Gettysburg, where he lay on the battlefield for nine days. For several years he carried the ball in his limb but at last it was extracted. He proved a faithful and valorous soldier, never hesitating in the performance of his duty, although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight and participated in many of the long hard marches.
About the close of the war the family came to Iowa and J. A. and 0. H. Henry purchased one hundred acres of land near their father's farm and here established their home and began work in agricultural lines. In January, 1867, J. A. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Carrie McGranahan, a native of Pennsylvania and a sister of the renowned hymn writer of that name, who is deceased. In 1869 O. H. Henry made a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania and was there married on the 18th of February to Miss Sarah M. McMasters, a native of Pennsylvania and a school teacher for several years. Her husband also taught school for two terms and they enjoyed an academic education in Pennsylvania.
Following their marriage the brothers built a house on their farm and they continued to live together under one roof for over forty years—both on the farm and also since coming to Indianola. They have also been asso­ciated in their business interests. They began by buying one hundred acres of land and from time to time they made other purchases, extending the boundaries of their property until they now have over four hundred acres in one body. The land is arable, the soil very productive and the entire tract is well improved. They erected thereon good houses and barns, and in fact the barn is among the largest in the county, being sixty by eighty feet. They have also di­vided the farm into fields of convenient sizes by well kept fences. They drained the land d by the judicious use of tile, put out an orchard and in fact have added all the equipments which indicate progressive farming. While they have always cultivated the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, they have likewise made a specialty of raising draft horses and other stock for a number of years. They started with imported stock and they kept up this high standard from the beginning. They were among the pioneer horse breeders and dealers of the county and for years they have been exhibitors at the county and state fairs, where they have won many premiums, carrying off several blue ribbons, and also won first prize in the International show at Chicago, Illinois. They have likewise been raising and feeding cattle, shipping about two carloads annually on an average for many years. In 1905 they removed to Indianola, from which point they direct their farm interests which are about three miles away. They have a model town property, their home being surrounded by many beautiful shade trees while there is much fruit also upon the place.
Unto J. A. Henry and his wife were born three children, but two of the number died in infancy. The surviving son, Fred Henry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, is married and lives in Indianola. He like his father and uncle has a large farm and extensive stock interests.
The brothers are both Democratic in political faith, but at local elections where there is no political issue before the people, they cast an independent ballot regardless of party ties. They have never sought office although their fellow townsmen have frequently called them to serve in local position and they have been delegates to the state and county conventions. Both are members of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Indianola and they and their wives are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their in­terests have always been of the most harmonious character and for forty-two years they have lived in this county, witnessing its transformation as the pioneer conditions have been replaced by those of modern civilization. In their business affairs they have followed methods which none have questioned, but which have brought to them splendid success and gained them a place with the prosperous farmers of the county.