Biographical Sketches
JUDGE JOHN W. HENRY
Judge of the circuit court, and one of the most eminent representatives of the bench and bar of Missouri, now living in Kansas City, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Cynthiana, Harrison county, January 27, 1825, and is a son of Jesse and Nancy (Porter) Henry, who were also natives of that state.
His father was a very prominent man, being recognized as a leader in public affairs, and for many years served as sheriff of Harrison county, while his business energies were directed toward merchandising. In the Spring of 1845 he came to Missouri, locating in Boonville, but about 3 years later he went to Independence, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1852. His wife survived him about 15 years. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and people of the highest respectability. Their children numbered 6, three of whom are now living, namely: James P., a physician of Independence, Missouri; Mary T., wife of J. Brown Hovery, once a prominent lawyer of Kansas City; and John W.
The paternal grandfather of the Judge was Watson Henry, a native of Virginia, who in the pioneer days of Kentucky settled in that state. He reared a large family and lived to an advanced age. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Andrew Porter, spent his entire life in Kentucky, and engaged in business as a millwright.
In the state of his nativity the Judge was reared to manhood and acquired his education. Early in life it became his desire to enter the legal profession, and at the age of 16 he took up the study of law, being graduated in the law department of the Transylvania University before he had attained the age of 20 years. He is a man of broad mind, of keen discrimination and quick perception, -- qualities which are very essential to the successful advocate. Being fitted for active practice, he at once entered upon the prosecution of his chosen profession, with which he has since been connected. As an advocate he was thorough and painstaking, laboring earnestly for his clients' interests. He seemed intuitively to recognize the important points in a case and give them their proper weight and argument, and he won many important cases. His professional career has always been connected with Missouri. He continued in general practice until 1875, when he was made judge of the circuit comprising Macon, Schuyler, Adair and Putnam counties, Missouri. He was on that bench from 1872 until 1877, when he was elected to the supreme bench, and served 10 years. In 1887 the Judge came to Kansas City, and since 1889 has occupied the position which he is now creditably and acceptably filling, that of judge of the 16th judicial circuit. He has a mind particularly free from bias and from impetuosity. His decisions are the results of careful, calm deliberation, of thorough weighing of the evidence and of the law applicable to it. He rarely if ever makes a mistake, and his long connection with the bench, covering a period of about 20 years, indicates his special fitness and the confidence resposed in him. He is indeed a leader in the profession in Missouri, which has ever stood as the protector of the rights and privileges of the people of every civilized nation. He has also served in other official capacities, having in the winter of 1854 been appointed superintendent of the schools of Missouri.
For 50 years the Judge has been a resident of Missouri, and in the early days of the history of the state he traveled over 40 counties, making speeches. He has ever been a promoter of the public welfare, deeply interested in all that pertains to the upbuilding of the state, and is one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens in all Missouri.
In 1849 was celebrated the marriage of Judge Henry and Miss Maria Williams, daughter of Frank and Martha (Talbot) Williams. They have 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughters. Nannie is now the wife of E. C. Johnson, and they have 3 children, -- Hattie, Henry and Marie. Jesse married Miss Katie Davidson, and resides in Jefferson City, Missouri, with their three children - Donald, Porter and Jesse P. Frank, an Episcopalian minister located at Greeley, Missouri, married a Miss Turner. Robert is serving as deputy county clerk of Jackson county. Martha died in infancy. The mother of this family is a member of the Christian church. Their home is located on Linwood avenue, on the outskirts of the city.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.