Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-Isaac Henderson


Portrait and Biographical Album of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




ISAAC HENDERSON, a practical and progressive farmer residing on section 9, Garfield Township, Dickinson County, is a native of the Keystone State. Fayette County was the place of his birth, which occurred on the 19th of August, 1839. His parents were Uriah and Eliza (Hartman) Henderson. In 1854, they left the East and emigrated to Illinois, settling in Putnam County, where they have since resided.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in his native State until fifteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal Westward. For some time he continued to make Putnam County his home, but visited various places. During the winter of 1859-60, he was in Northern Kansas. When the late war broke out, Mr. Henderson was among the first to respond to the country's call for troops. He enrolled his name as one of the boys in blue on the 8th of May, 1861, and became a member of Company H, Twentieth Illinois Regiment, in which he did faithful service for about eighteen months, when he was mustered out on account of disability. He had been wounded at the battle of Shiloh very severely, and on account of the injuries thus sustained was discharged. He took part in several important battles, including those of Frederickstown and Ft. Henry.

After receiving his discharge, Mr. Henderson returned to his home in Putnam County, Ill., and as soon as he had sufficiently recovered his health engaged once more in farming. He continued to rent land in Putnam County until about 1866, when he changed his place of residence to Iroquois County, Ill., where he purchased a farm, which he operated for about seven years. He then sold out and removed to Ford County, Ill., where he continued to make his home until 1884. He then sold his property in that county and came to Dickinson County, Kan., locating on section 9, Garfield Township, where he has since lived. From time to time, he has added to his farm until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, constituting one of the best farms in this locality, for it has many substantial improvements. All of the buildings upon the place were erected by him and stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

In Putnam County, Ill., Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah O. Smith, who was born December 5, 1846, and is a native of Dickinson County. By their union have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: James, John, Lizzie, Isaac, Sophia, Frank and May. The Henderson household is a hospitable one and the members of the family rank high in social circles.

While residing in Iroquois County, Mr. Henderson served as Highway Commissioner, but has never been an office-seeker, his time being fully taken up by other interests. He takes quite an active part in religious work and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Henderson is also a member.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP