Page 495

 

R. S. HENDERSON

 

There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentlemen whose name initiates this review since he has for more than three decades been identified with the business interests of Taylor county, and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the republic and has attained to a position of distinction in agricultural circles in this section of the great state of Iowa.  Mr. Henderson makes his home on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Platte township.  He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 22, 1844, a son of William Henderson, who was a native of the Keystone state but removed with his parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, when but a young lad.  He was reared in the latter state and was married to Miss Rose A. Dool, who was born on the Bay of Belfast, Ireland, but was reared in Harrison county, Ohio.  Following his marriage William Henderson remained in Ohio, where he followed farming for a few years.  Later he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and spent his last years, passing away there in March, 1877.  His wife survived for a long period and was called to her final rest in 1901.

 

R. S. Henderson is one of a family of three sons and four daughters, who survive.  He was quite young when taken by his parents from Guernsey county, Ohio, to Mercer county, Illinois.  His boyhood and youth were spent in much the usual manner of farm lads of that period, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he trudged his way to the district school, there to become fitted for the more practical and responsible duties in his later years.  He remained with his father until he reached years of maturity and when about twenty years of age, the Civil war having been in progress and his patriotic spirit becoming more and more aroused, he enlisted as a member of Company A, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, joining on the 17th of March, 1864.  Going south with his command he participated in the Atlanta campaign and later marched with Sherman to the sea.  He took part in all the principal engagements along the (page 496) line of march, going from Richmond to Washington, where he participated in the grand review.  From that city he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out, and he received an honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois.

 

Returning to his home in Mercer county, Illinois, Mr. Henderson there remained for several years.  In 1874, he made a trip to Taylor county, Iowa, and being pleased with the country and its possibilities, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Platte township.  He erected a house and broke the land and then returned to Mercer county and resumed his farming operations until 1876.  On the 21st of September of that year he wedded Miss Frances H. Brown, who was born in Washington county, New York, a daughter of Jonathan Brown, who had located in Mercer county about 1852.  There the daughter was reared and educated.  Following his marriage Mr. Henderson and his bride came to his farm in Taylor county, which has since been his home.  He first erected a small house and at once began to break the land and put it in shape to plant his crops.  Later this crude dwelling was transformed into a more modern and commodious country residence and Mr. Henderson has also built two good barns, granaries, and, other buildings which are always found on a model farm and his place is now one of the valuable tracts of this section of Iowa.  He follows general farming and also raises considerable stock, both branches of his business bringing him a gratifying and substantial income.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have a son and daughter, Fred M. and Hattie C., both at home.  Mr. Henderson cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868 and he has voted for each nominee of the republican party since that time.  He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Lenox and they are active in church and Sunday-school work, and he holds membership with the G. A. R. Post at Lenox.  More than three decades have passed since Mr. Henderson came to Taylor county to cast in his lot with its pioneers.  In the years which have since passed he has not only witnessed a most wonderful transformation but has largely aided in the labors which have transformed this district into one of the best counties of the commonwealth.  His loyalty to his country when he went to the Civil war at the age of twenty years is a chapter in his history.  There is no blot or stain of dishonor upon his name and this can be stated after a long, useful and busy life, covering sixty-five years.