OBITUARY: Charles W. Henderson, 1824-1910, Mitchell Co., Iowa
             
[Osage News Feb. 3, 1910 ]






                                 Henderson

George W. Henderson was born in Sturracca, Wayne county, Pa., Aug. 21, 1824, 
and passed away at his home in Osage, Iowa, January 26, 1910, in the 86th
year of his life. His childhood and youth were spent in the place of his
birth, but in young manhood, he went to Deposit, N.Y., where on the banks
of the Delaware, his grandfather, Jesse R. Whittaker, was the earliest
settler and possessed a large tract of land. Here Mr. Henderson continued
to reside until 1858, when realizing the large opportunities offered by the
developing western country, he came to Iowa and settled in Osage. Being a
good carpenter, he worked at his trade for about 15 years (except when away
in the army) and many are the buildings in and around Osage which he either
constructed or helped to build. In 1873, he moved to a farm north east of
town where he remained for about 25 years, when he returned to Osage. Here
he has made his home ever since with the exception of a year spent with his
son, in California, in 1898 and 1899, and again last winter. 

In 1862, with Lincoln's call for troops he enlisted in the 9th Minnesota, 
regiment, Co.C., and went to the front, leaving his wife and three little 
children. He was first sent under Gen Sibley to settle an Indian uprising at 
New Ulm Minnesota. Later he was sent with the troops to the southland and 
although engaged in a number of hard fought battles he escaped without being 
wounded. He was honorably mustered out of the service at the close of the war 
in 1865. 

On July 12, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Briggs,at her 
home in Deposit, N.Y. For more than sixty years Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have 
been sharing the other's burdens and joys, loved and respected by friends and 
neighbors. 

Three children were born into their home, two sons, Charles W., of Little 
Cedar and Frank P. of New Castle, California, and one daughter, Mrs. Martha
J. Austin, who with her parents lived together and who with her mother has
been with her father, throught his sickness. His son, Charles has also been
much at his bedside, while Frank who came for his parents last and winter
and returned with them in April was ready to come if it had been needful
or wise.  There are also 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, all
of whom he was exceedingly fond.

It is a remarkable fact that in all of their family this is the first death. 

Mr. Henderson had been in failing health for some months but had kept around 
until about 7 weeks ago since which time he has been almost constantly 
confined to his bed. He was a quiet unassuming man, fond of his home, no 
loafer, no troubler, but devoted to his family, genial, openhearted and 
hospitable. For more than 40 years he had been a member of the local Masonic 
order of which attended the funeral in a body and conducted at the house the 
services of the orderd usually held at the grave. 

The funeral service was held at the home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. 
D. I. Coon who came back from Washington for the occasion, and the body was 
placed in the Osage cemetery. 






           Submitted by: Marilyn O'Connor  1/13/2006