From the files of the late Ghlee Howerter of smithfield. Mr. Howerter was related to the line of Isaac 'Old Ike' Henderson of Fulton Co., people of whom he was very fond. It is entitled: Personal Memories. George W. Henderson - George Ike - Ike's George George Ike, as everyone knew him, was a quite colorful character. By occupation he was a farmer. He was also an early day Horse doctor. Horses only. How he acquired this profession I have no idea. I feel quite certain that he had only a very limited education, and that he never went any farther than the early subscription schools. But his love for horses led him to learn to treat them in pioneer ways. George Ike was a practical joker, which many times backfired on him. He would start his sons doing some dislikable job promising to be right back and help them. He would then slipaway and go to town and visit with his old cronies. Needless to say this got him into much trouble. One thing I remember about him was his vocabulary of profanity which he used quite well. He never realized he was doing it. Another thing that I remember was how well he liked to play pool. He and his long time friend and neighbor Tom Wilson would get into a pool game and it was a circus just to sit back and listen. Tom would always try to leave the cue ball in bad position which would promote an argument, and much choice words. A very likeable old character. Clarence Henderson - Colonel Henderson, son of George Ike Very few people knew that his right name was Clarence. Where he acquired the name of Colonel I have no idea. I considered him a very good friend. He like his father was fond of horses, and for a few years would buy small herds of western horses, break them and sell them green broke. He was a veteran of the first world war and proud of it. He married late in life and was proud of his two step sons. A farmer all his life. In addition to farming he had a small coal mine on his farm which they operated. In later years he drank quite heavy. Still, a well respected man. Nathan Wesley - Little Nate - Unkle Wes and Aunt Ida, Ida Casper Henderson. Children of Pioneer families. Unkle Wes as most everyone knew him was undoubtedly the last of the pioneer farmers to depend on Oxen as his most dependable power. He also worked horses and oxen together. He also, it is said, used oxen in helping build the T P & W railroad at Seville, Ill., in the 1860's. He served as deputy sheriff as well as other small offices. He was proud of his public service and proclaimed himself master of their house. BUT, Aunt Idie, as she was known, was a quiet woman, highly intelligent, thinking way in advance of Unkle Wes, thus she was able to manoeuvre to her own advantage. She was loved by everyone who knew her. She said that all the children of the local school were her garbage bucket, as none could ever pass her house on their way home without stopping for a cup of water and to see what was in her cookie jar. Always something. It gives me great satisfaction to have known these people. Oct. 14, 1983, Ghlee R. Howerter --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. --------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Henderson, Springfield, Il.,