William Henderson was born on the River Clyde above Glasgow, Scotland, in 1808, and in 1821 his family sailed from Greenock to Quebec and cleared timber land south of Montreal. William married Allie (Aley) Bursell of Yorkshire in 1837, and in 1854 he brought their six children to Jackson Township, Linn County, where he farmed until his death in 1892. His son Peter G. Henderson founded the Valley Farm and Deep Spring creameries, was chosen president of the Iowa Butter and Cheese Association in 1883 and of the Red Polled Cattle Club of America in 1892, while Henry farmed the old homestead near Coggon and James moved a few miles north to Ehler in Delaware County. Daughter Hannah Jane married Peter T. Henderson, a Quebec-born machinist who settled near Coggon in 1872, and the books never say whether his family and hers were kin. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Linn County history.
Earliest in the record
Col. William H. Henderson and Lucinda (Wimberly) Hendersonborn 1793Most recent in our records
Walter E. Hendersonborn 1882Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Brought the family from Lanarkshire to Canada
Pioneer farmers, Jackson Township; William was a township supervisor
The eldest son, who died in the Civil War, and a brother who farmed in Linn and Cedar counties
Miller at Coggon; merchant and creamery owner at Ehler, Delaware County
James Henderson, who is now successful engaged in general merchandising at bidder, Delaware county, Iowa, was born in llemingford; Canada, March 4, 1840, and is a representative of an old and prominent family of Linn county, being a son of William and Aley (Bursell) Henderson, natives of Scotland and Yorkshire, England, respectively, William Henderson was a lad of thirteen years when he crossed the Atlantic with his father and took up his residence on a farm in Canada, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in the spring of 1854.
He purchased a tract of land in Jackson township, which he cleared and improved with the assistance of his sons, and continued to engage in farming there until the death of his wife, which occurred June 30, 1874. He then removed to another farm in the same township, where he made his home until he, too, was called to his final rest on the 9th of January, 1892. After the death of the mother of our subject, he was again married, his second union being with Sarah Willis, of Jackson township, who died in July, 1892.
By the first union there were six children, namely: William, who died in the army during the Civil war; James, our subject; Peter G., who is represented elsewhere in this work; Robert, a farmer of Cedar county, Iowa, who first married Helen Brown, and after her death wedded Emma Phelps; Henry, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and Hamiah Jane, wife of Peter T. Henderson, who is also represented elsewhere in this work.
The subject of this sketch acquired his literary education in the common schools near his old Canadian home, and at the age of fourteen he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family being among the early settlers of Linn county, Iowa. Here he was first engaged in farming, and later followed the milling business in Jackson township for some time.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Sheldon, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William Sheldon, who were also pioneers of Jackson township, this county, and are now deceased. Lito our subject and his wife were born three children, as follows: William married Bessie Swindle, and lied in 1897. Bert J. wedded
Mary Patton and resides in Ehler. where he is engaged in general merchandising with his father, and is also interested in farming and live stock business. lime is at home with her parents.
After his marriage Mr. Henderson continued to engage in the milling business at Coggon for four years, and then sold out and removed to Ehler. Delaware county, which is only a few miles north of the former village. Upon locating at Ehler he started a creamery and also opened a general store, which he and his son are still conducting. They carry a fine stock of merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealing have built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. Our subject is also engaged in farming to some extent.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Creamery founder and Red Polled cattle breeder, Jackson Township
PETER G. HENDERSON.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer of the old homestead near Coggon
Since 1854 this gentleman has been a resident of Linn county, and throughout his active business life has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests. He is a thrifty and progressive farmer, whose fine farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres is pleasantly situated on section 10, Jackson township, only a half-mile south of the village of Coggon.
Mr. Henderson was born in Hemingford, Canada, June 25, 1848, his parents being William and Aley (Bursell) Henderson, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Yorkshire, England. Wilham Henderson was a lad of eight years when lie crossed the Atlantic with his father and took up his residence on a farm in Canada, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in the spring of 1854. He settled on the farm in Jackson township now owned and occupied by our subject, and with the assistance of his sons cleared away the timber and placed the land under cultivation. He continued to engage in farming here until the death of his wife, which occurred June 30, i-" He then removed to another farm in the same township where he made his home until he, too, was called to his final rest on the 18th of January, 1892. After the death of the mother of our subject he was again married, his second union being with Sarah Willis, of Jackson township, who also died in 1892.
By the first union there were six children, namely; William, the oldest, died in the army during the Civil war. James is a merchant and stock buyer of Elder, Delaware county, Iowa, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Peter G. is an extensive farmer of Jackson township, who is also represented in this work. Robert, a farmer of Cedar county, Iowa, first married Helen Brown, and after her death wedded Emma Phelps. Henr_\ of this review, is the next of the family. Hannah Jane is the wife of Peter T. Henderson, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work. The children were all educated in the common schools of this county.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Son-in-law: husband of Hannah Jane Henderson. His own parents were Peter and Jennette (Forrester) Henderson, and the books don't say whether the two Henderson families were related
PETER T. HENDERSON.
Peter T. Henderson, an extensive and prosperous farmer, whose homestead is pleasantly located on section 9, Jackson township, near the village of Coggon. has been a resident of Linn county since 1872. He is a native of Canada, born in the province of Quebec, on the 13th of February,
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In 1874 Mr. Henderson married Miss Hannah J. Henderson, who was also hi rn in Canada, June 24, 1850, and when iWe years old came to this county with her parents, William and Alev (Bursell) Henderson. The family located in Jackson township, where her father engaged in farming thrnugliout the remainder uf his life. The mother also died there. Our subject and his wife have two children, namely: Aley, now the wife of Harry Kerr, a farmer of Jackson township; and Walter E., who aids his father in the work of the home farm. Mr. Henderson has never sought or cared for official honors, but is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. On coming to this county he was in limited circumstances, and to his own untiring industry, perseverance and determination to succeed is due his prosperity. During his long residence here he has made a host of warm friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth, and he has the respect and confidence of all whij know him. His wife is an earnest and consistent memlier of the Chapel Hill Congregational church of Jackson t'nvnship.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Son of Peter T. and Hannah J. Henderson; farmer, Jackson Township
WALTER E. HENDERSON
Walter E. Henderson, who now has the management of his father's farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Jackson township, has remained on this place from his birth to the present time, his natal day being October 3, 18S2. A sketch of his father, Peter T. Henderson, is given on another page of this work. Our subject was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. Being the only son in his father's family, he remained at home after reaching man's estate and assisted in the operation of the home farm. Since the spring of 1907 he has had the entire management of the property, his father having put aside active business cares.
On the loth of February, 1909, Mr. Henderson was joined in wedlock to Miss Edith M. Jackson, who was born in New Hampshire but was living in Portland, Maine, at the time of her marriage. Following his son's marriage Peter T. Henderson erected a separate residence on the farm and took up his above therein, turning the old homestead over to our subject, who has thus always resided in the house where he was born. In the conduct of his agricultural interests Mr. Henderson is methodical, systematic, progressive and up-to-date, and because of the excellent results which have attended his labors he is entitled to a place among the representative and substantial young farmers of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are the parents of one child, Paul Wallace. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Henderson has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He is an automobile enthusiast and drives a Flanders machine, driving therefrom both pleasure and recreation. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church.
As printed in the source3. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Insurance company treasurer, mayor of Cedar Rapids and state senator
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