BIOGRAPHY: Gustav A. Henry, Cayuga co., New York

transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com)

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA
COUNTY NEW YORK
BOSTON
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY
1894

GUSTAV A. HENRY. Many of the most thriving and enterprising farmers of Cayuga
County have come from the land beyond the sea, and of this number Mr. Henry is
a worthy representative. He was born August 15, 1837, in Southern Prussia,
which was also the place of nativity of his progenitors for several
generations. His grandfather, Clements Henry, was a landholder there, and
carried on a large brewery in the same place, and was for many years
considered one of the wealthiest men in the province. He met a premature
death when fifty years of age, being so severely scalded that he died from
his injuries. His wife lived to a good old age. They reared a family of six
children three boys and three girls.

The parents of the subject of this brief sketch, Thomas and Genevieve
(Maichle) Henry, were life-long residents of Prussia, the father dying there
at the age of forty-one years; while his wife, who survived him, lived to be
sixty-five years old. Thomas Henry was a man of some means, and carried on a
good business in general farming. To him and his wife were born a family of
five children   three sons and two daughters, the latter of whom both died
when quite young. Of the two brothers of Gustav, Fred still lives in the
Fatherland, and is actively engaged in farming on the paternal homestead.
The other brother, William G., left home many years ago; and, not having
been heard from since, he is supposed to be dead.

Gustav A. Henry, it is needless to say, received a good education in his
native land, and at the age of fourteen years, being of an adventurous spirit,
determined to seek his fortune in America, the land of liberty. Taking passage
on the ship "Corinth" July 30, 1852, he landed in New York City after a stormy
voyage of sixty days. Proceeding to Albany, he stayed there about six weeks.
Then, procuring work in a broom-corn factory, he remained in the employment of
the manager for six months, receiving four dollars a month wages. Subsequently
finding work as a farm laborer, he continued in the employ of one man four
years and four months. The following eight or nine years he worked at various
industries; and, being a young man of good habits, industrious and faithful,
frugal in his expenditures, and wise in his savings, he accumulated quite a
sum of money. Coming next to Cayuga County, he engaged in carting in the city
of Auburn, and continued in that business seven years. In 1867 Mr. Henry
settled in the town of Cato, and, investing his hard-earned money in one
hundred and thirty acres of land, has since improved the fine homestead where
he now lives. With characteristic perseverance and diligent labor he has
carried on mixed farming with unquestioned ability and success, having made
the many excellent improvements on the place himself, his property now ranking
among the most valuable and well-kept estates in the vicinity.

The union of Gustav A. Henry with Miss Mary V. Neher, who was born in Germany
in 1834, was solemnized July 1, 1859. Their pleasant household circle has been
gradually increased by the birth of thirteen children, of whom six sons and
two daughters are now living, namely: Fred A., the eldest, resides in Astoria,
Ore., and in company with his brother Frank, the third of the group, is a
dealer in real estate; William J., the second, who lives in Auburn, N.Y.,
devotes his time to the Columbian Knife and Bar Works, in which he is a
stockholder; John G. and Charles M. are mechanics, employed in the knife
factory at Auburn; a daughter, Jennie, is a dressmaker, and with a younger
brother, Gustav, Jr., and a sister, Mary E., lives at home.

During their long residence in Cato Mr. and Mrs. Henry have won the confidence
of their neighbors and friends, and are respected by all for their many noble
traits of character.

They are members of the Catholic church of Cato, and in their daily lives
exemplify the truths therein taught. In local affairs Mr. Henry takes an
intelligent interest. He is a strong Republican in politics, and socially is
a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Cato.