The father of our subject was reared a farmer's boy, and followed this occupation upon the soil both of his native State, and in the Blue Grass regions. Industrious, enterprising and resolute, he accumulated a fine property, and was a citizen of influence wherever he sojourned. Both parents were devout members of the Christian Church. Their family included five sons and four daughters: Charles C., Amanda F., Adelaide, Richard, Jane, Hugh, Elizabeth, Alonzo, and William D., Jr. Our subject was the youngest of the family, and grew up familiar with agricultural pursuits, acquiring his education in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until a man of twenty-seven years. In the meantime the family had removed to Morgan County, Ill., and after the outbreak of the Rebellion, our subject enlisted as a Union soldier in Company F, 101st Illinois Infantry, being mustered in Aug. 7, 1862 at Jacksonville. He first saw the smoke of battle at Missionary Ridge, subsequently at Resaca, Ga., and Peachtree Creek, and was in the affray at several other points throughout the South. He was promoted to Sergeant, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., in June, 1865.

After leaving the army, Mr. Henry emigrated to this county and taught school six months. Next he was employed in the drug store and post office at Murrayville, where he remained until the year 1867. WE next find him engaged in the grocery trade at Jacksonville, but he afterward returned to Murrayville, and established himself in the grocery and dry goods trade. Two years later he came to Woodson, and continued in the grocery trade, being appointed Postmaster in 1883. He is Democratic in politics, and a man whose career has been that which has gained him the esteem and confidence of the community.

Our subject while a resident of Morgan County, began the establishment of a home by his marriage with Miss Jennie Thresher, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride at Springfield, Ill., in 1875. Mrs. Henry was born in 1835, in Illinois, and is the daughter of John and Caroline (Harney) Thresher, who were natives of Kentucky, and who spent the last years of their lives in Illinois, the mother passing away in 1883, and the father in 1884. Their family included six children, all of whom are living and residing in Illinois and Kansas. Mrs. Henry is the fourth child. She received careful home training from an excellent mother, and was educated in the common school. She remained under the home roof until taking charge of a household of her own. Hugh Henry, a brother of our subject, during the Civil War was also a member of the 101st Illinois Infantry. He died of disease at Columbus, Ky., in 1863. Mr. Henry, socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Lodge at Murrayville, and with his excellent wife, is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. They have no children.