HENRY L. HENDERSON.

HENRY L. HENDERSON.—The subject of this sketch was born in Holmes county, Ohio, November 1, 1847, the son of Elisha Henderson, a carpenter and weaver. Thrown on his own resources at the early age of thirteen years, he worked his way through the common schools, the academy and the college, graduating in 1871 from the University of Wooster, Ohio, with the first class of graduates from that school. The year following his graduation he conducted the Vermillion Institute, and the next year he was engaged as Assistant Professor of Latin and Science in the Wooster University. After holding this latter position for one year Mr. Henderson removed to Geneva, Kansas, where he conducted the Academy for one year, removing at the end of that time to Iola to take charge of the public schools of that city. The year following he accepted a flattering offer to take the chair of Latin and Mathematics in the Golden Gate Academy, Oakland, California, a position which he held until he reached the determination to exchange the teacher's profession for the mercantile business. Returning to Iola after teaching the city schools one year he engaged in the hardware business in which he continued until 1883. He then disposed of his interest in the hardware trade and engaged in the grocery business which he conducted for two years, leaving it to take up real estate, loans and insurance, to which he has ever since devoted most of his attention, being associated at present with Mr. J. E. Powell, under the firm name of Henderson & Powell.

Although never an office seeker Mr. Henderson's interest in the Republican party and his availability as a candidate on account of the high reputation he has always borne for integrity and business ability have compelled him to engage more or less actively in politics. Most of his work has been done for others, but in 1885 he reluctantly consented to become a candidate for county commissioner and held that office for two terms, a period of six years. In 1898, again at the solicitation of his friends, and

not upon his own initiative, he accepted appointment as post-master of Iola, which office he still holds.

Before coming to Kansas Mr. Henderson was married to Mrs. Laura Leidligh. Four children have been born to them, of whom John H., Willis E. and Henrietta survive, and all of whom are graduates of the Kansas State University.

The foregoing is but a bare outline of a busy, active, honorable and successful life. A life that well illustrates the possibilities of American citizenship, proving as it does that poverty is no bar in this country to education and culture, and that success rests upon character, capacity and industry and not upon inherited wealth or social position. Mr. Henderson commands the unqualified respect of the people among whom most of his mature life has been spent because he has been faithful and efficient in every position of public trust, because he has conducted his own business with a careful regard for the right of others, and because in small matters as well as large he has observed the Golden Rule and told the truth.

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