Henry C. Henderson, an agriculturist of prominence in Cheyene county, resides in Bronson precinct, and is one of those substantial citizens whose integrity and industry, thrift and economy, have added so much to the material wealth and growth of Nebraska. Agriculture forms the basis of wealth in that part of the country as, indeed, in most sections of the United States. It is therefore, of great importance that the class of people who inhabit the great farming portions of the country should represent those elements of sterling worth so prominently displayed by the majority of the early settlers and their descendants.
Mr Henderson is a veteran of the Civil war, a worthy citizen and a good neighbor, and richly deserves all the success which has come to him.
Mr Henderson was born in Vermillion township, Vermillion county, Illinois, on the 21st of June, 1842, and lived in that vicinity for fifty years. He enlisted in Vermillion county, in Company C, Seventy-third Illinois Volunteers, on July 5, 1862, and was mustered in, nine days later, at Indianapolis, Indiana. During active service at the battle of Chickamauga, he was seriously wounded and was sent to the hospital, where he remained for six months, and then was transferred in to the Veteran Reserve Corps, from which he was mustered out July 5, 1865, just three years to a day from the date of his enlistment.
Our subject returned to Illinois after being discharged from the army, and farmed there up to 1892, then came west to Buffalo county, Nebraska, farming in Valley precinct about twelve years in that locality before removing to Cheyenne county, where he has since resided. Reaching Sidney March 20,1905, he filed on a homestead in section 18, township 13, range 50, and began to develop a home. The place is well situated and contains as fine land as is to be found in this region. One of the natural curiosities of the region, Tower Butte, is situated but a few rods from the dwelling, and is one of the landmarks of the region.
Mr. Henderson was married in Vermillion county, Illinois, March 7, 1872, to Mary F. Jones, a widow, whose maiden name was Lough. Mrs Henderson was born in Ritchie county, West Virginia, in 1849 and she had one child by her first marriage, Dora M., who married Abraham Long and resides in Kimball county. Mr and Mrs. Henderson have a family of six children who are names as follows: Druzilla E., now Mrs. Charles Stafford, of Sidney; John R. Henderson, now living in Kimball county: James F. Henderson of Buffalo county; Donna M. wife of William Davis, of Kimball county; E.C. Henderson, of Cheyenne county. One son, Nathaniel Beeson, is living at home, and assists his father in carrying on the home ranch. While living in Illinois the family were all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and Mr Henderson was a comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican in politics.
