Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 501
WILLIAM HENDERSON, a retired farmer of Muscatine County, Iowa, and one of its leading citizens, was born in Washington County, Pa., June 20, 1809. His parents, Andrew and Martha ( McConnell ) Henderson, were both natives of York County, Pa., and were of Scotch Irish descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and to them were born a family of eleven children, only four of whom are now living: Rev. James M., pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Perry County, Ill.; William, of this sketch; Samuel, who is engaged in farming in Belmont County, Ohio; and John, a retired farmer, also residing in the latter county.

Our subject grew to manhood upon a farm. At the age of seven years he removed with his family to Belmont County, Ohio, where he resided until twenty years of age, when he entered Franklin College at New Athens. He took a four-years course in that institution, teaching through his vacations, after which he went to Highland County, Ohio, where he embarked in the mercantile business, opening a general store. He continued in this line until 1841, when he started for the West, emigrating to the then but thinly settled Territory of Iowa, settling on a farm near West Liberty. Purchasing 160 acres of raw land, Mr. Henderaon began to improve and cultivate it, there making his home until 1848, when he sold out and removed to Cedar County, locating about two and one half miles from his present residence. There he developed another farm, upon which he resided for fifteen years, and at the expiration of that time once more came to Muscatine County, and took up his residence at West Liberty, where he is now living a retired life.

In the month of December, 1838, Mr. Henderson and Miss Sarah Lewis were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Enoch Lewis, a native of Virginia, and was born in Highland County, Ohio. By the union of this worthy couple eight children have been born: John L., a grocer of West Liberty; L.W., also living in West Liberty, was a soldier in the late war; E.S., who wore the blue in the struggle to perserve the Union, is located in the same city; Martha, widow of John W. Wright, makes her home with her father; Elizabeth wedded WIlliam V. Elliott, of Knoxville, Iowa; Emily is a successful teacher of Knoxville; William A. is a freight agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company at West Liberty; May is the wife of Clarence N. Cottrell, a hardware merchant of Imperial, Neb. In 1876 Mr. H. was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was a member of the Society of Friends, and a most estimable lady. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr Henderson has held various local offices of trust, in all of which he has performed the duties devolving upon him with promptness and fidelity. While residing in Cedar County he served as County Supervisor for five years; for thirteen years he held the office of Assessor of West Liberty, and for eleven years served as its Trustee. In early life, in political sentiment, he was a strong supporter of the Whig party, and greatly opposed the institution of slavery. At the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and has since supported it by his influence and ballot. Mr Henderson has always been a friend to the temperance movement, and has ever taken an active part in the public affairs of the community. A pioneer of 1841, he has witnessed and participated in the changes which have placed Muscatine County on a par with any in the great State of Iowa, and to him much of its prosperity and progress is due.

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