Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 223
ROBERT HENDERSON, a representative farmer residing on section 10, Montpelier Township, was born in Franklin County, Ind., May 20, 1837. He is a son of William and Locky ( Bratton ) Henderson, and the eldest of a family of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. Samuel, born Oct. 28, 1839, wedded Mary McCurdy, and is now residing in Shelby County, Iowa; William, born Jan. 22, 1843, died in October, 1845; Shadrach, born May 23, 1845, is the husband of Anges McCurdy, and resides in Shelby County, where he is engaged in farming; Sarah E., born Feb.23, 1848, is the wife of Joseph Blunck, a farmer of Webster County, Iowa; Mary J., born May 20, 1851, is the wife of Thomas Colgon, a resident of Buffalo Township, Scott County., Iowa; Almira P., born May 1, 1855, married Colman Beemer, a resident of Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa; and Frank, a resident of Davenport, Iowa.

In 1851 our subject emigrated with his parents to Missouri, where he resided for about two years, when he went to Dixon, Ill. The succeeding two years he engaged in farming in that community, after which he removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, and after a two years residence in that county came to Muscatine County, where he has since made his home. When the war broke out he was one of the first to respond to his country's call for troops, enlisting in Muscatine, Sept. 8, 1861. He was assigned to Co. A, of the 11th Iowa Infantry, after which he was mustered into the United States service at Davenport, where he remained for aboout three months. In November, the regiment was ordered to St. Louis, later to Benton Barracks, thence to Jefferson City, Mo., where it remained a short time and then went to California, Mo., where it went into winter quarters, there spending the winter of 1861-62. The following March the regiment was ordered back to St. Louis, and from there embarked for Savannah, remaining in that city a few days. Mr. Henderson with his regiment later participated in the battle of Shiloh, arriving there on the first day of the battle, in which he took an active part. Many of his comrades were killed or wounded, but the only injury which he sustained was caused by a limb of a tree, which was broked off by a rebel cannon ball. After the battle of Shiloh Gen. Halleck took command of the army, which then marched to Corinth. After the battle of that place his regiment was ordered to Bolivar, Tenn., remaining for a few days, and then returned to Corinth to fortify the town against the rebels. A few days later the forces were engaged in the skirmish at Iuka, after which they returned to Corinth, where a bloody contest took place, lasting nearly all day. This was followed by the battle at Holly Springs, Miss., and from there the forces proceeded to Oxford Miss., but the rebels cutting off their supplies they were compelled to return to Holly Springs, whence they later commenced their march to Memphis, Tenn., where they embarked for Vicksburg. Landing at Milliken's Bend they again met the enemy, and from there went to Young's Point, from which place they marched to Black River, sixty-five miles below Vicksburg, reaching that place May 20, 1863. The army then formed lines around Vicksburg, continuing the siege until July 4, when the rebels surrendered to the brave and persistent commander of the Union forces, giving up their guns and ammunition. The regiment to which our subject belonged remained in the vicinity of Vicksburg until the following January, when it marched to Meridian and then returned, later receiving a veteran furlough of thirty days. At the expiration of that time Mr. Henderson rejoined his regiment at Cairo, Ill., and later engaged in the battle at Clifton, Tenn., thence marched overland to Big Shanty, where a few days later they met the enemy near Kenesaw Mountain, which engagement was soon followed by another skirmish. Again an engagement was brought on at Knickajack Creek, where the Union forces drove the enemy across the creek and made fortifications, remaining in that vicinity for several days. On the 22d of July a battle occurred near Atlanta, and three other engagements occurred before the enemy fell back. After their retreat the Union forces moved on and fortified the town. On the 20th day of August following Mr. Henderson had his arm cut, and the wound forced him to remain in the hospital until November, when he received a furlough of thirty days and returned home. He was discharged April 11, 1865, after nearly four years of hard fighting on Southern battle-fields.

On the 6th of April, 1864, at the residence of S. D. Viele, during the thirty days furlough which he received after he re-enlistment, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Hannah Davis, a daughter of John and Sarah ( McConnell ) Davis. She was born Feb. 5, 1843, in Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, and in company with her parents emigrated to Scott County in 1854. She was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, but has only one brother now living, John, who married Fannie Tatlow, of Philadelphia, and now resides in Davenport, where he is engaged in the marble business. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson one son has been born, Sherman, Nov. 25, 1865; he wedded Alice, a daughter of William and Melinda Carpenter, and they reside with his parents. Mr. Henderson is now engaged in general farming on section 10, Montpelier Township, and is one of the highly respected citizens in the community in which he resides. He has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and for four years was a Trustee of his township, and for about ten years was Township Clerk, and for about four years served as Justice of the Peace.

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