JOSEPH HENRY, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890



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JOSEPH HENRY

Of the many foreigners who emigrated to this county, none is more worthy of
mention than the above named gentleman.  He was born in county Londonderry,
Ireland, January 24, 1828, his parents John and Martha (Chriswell) Henry,
being also natives of the Emerald Isle.  They were married in 1826, were the
parents of seven children, of which our subject is the only one now living.
His father was very well educated, having graduated from Dublin University,
Ireland, and emigrated to New Your in 1839, coming from there to Texas in
1841, where he died shortly after, his widow following him in 1879.  They were
both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Joseph Henry was educated at a private school, and at the age of fifteen yeas
began clerking for a firm in Natchitoches, remaining with them until 1855,
when he began business for himself with a stock of $10,000, and in 1858 he
sold out, his stock being valued at that time at $30,000.  Later he turned his
attention to farming, has been very successful, and now owns 4,000 acres of
good land, of which 2,000 acres are under cultivation.  His farms are well
stocked contain three cotton gins and mills, and all the latest improvements.

January 22, 1856 he was united in wedlock with Miss Ausita Roubieu, a native
of this State, and a lady of considerable wealth, born January 30, 1832.
Their union has been blessed with four children: Joseph, Cora, John H. and
Samuel J., all living and residing in this parish.  During the late
unpleasantness between the North and the South he enlisted as a private in
Company B, Second Louisianan Cavalry, under the command of Gen. Taylor and
Col. W. G. Vinson, participating in the battles of Frankland, La., and
Henderson Hill (where he was captured, taken to New Orleans, held there four
months and then exchanged). Before the war he was considered quite wealthy,
but on returning home, found not only his home destroyed, but himself in debt
$18,000, which by hard work he has managed to pay, and also to accumulate his
present fortune.

October 15, 1866, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and
January 19, 1869, he took for his second wife Miss Eugenie Chapin, also a
native of Louisiana.  He and his family are worthy members of the Catholic
Church, is one of the most influential citizens of this parish and was chosen
Senator of his State.  He is at present known to be one of the largest
taxpayers of this parish, and has settled on each one of his children, a large
plantation.