Lane-Yamhill County OR Archives Biographies.....Henderson, Rev. J. H. D. June 23, 1810 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 15, 2009, 7:34 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company REV. J. H. D. HENDERSON was born June 23, 1810, in the state of Kentucky, but moved in his early youth to the state of Missouri, where he spent his young manhood. He learned the printer's trade and worked at that business for some years. His experience in a newspaper office no doubt awakened in him a love for literature and literary pursuits, of which he was always a student. He was fond of writing and made contributions to different newspapers, including the National Era, a leading journal of the times, which was edited by Horace Greeley. Rev. Henderson early became convinced that slavery was contrary to the principles and teachings of the religion of Jesus Christ and as a minister of His gospel he could not support it. For this reason he was not satisfied to live in a slave state, so he moved with his family from Missouri to Pennsylvania about 1843 or 1844. Rev. Henderson was always a man of strong convictions and acted accordingly; he was known in those early days as an abolitionist, when such a term was a reproach, and later as a prohibitionist, which is almost a reproach in these days. In fact his influence was always exerted for the uplift of his fellowmen and for the betterment of the conditions of those around him, and inspired by his convictions and by his love for liberty and independence of action, he found the lure of the great west irresistible. He was much interested in Colonel John Fremont's explorations and expeditions, accounts of which he read with deep appreciation. So strongly did the west appeal to him that he determined to resign the pastorate of his church in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and come to the Pacific coast country. His preparations for this great journey began in the fall of 1851. In the spring of 1852 his arrangements were completed when he with his family, which consisted of a wife and five small children, joined a large company under the command of Captain Watts. The long and weary journey began in solemn reality after the party had crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, for old homes and friends had been left behind and many sad farewells had been spoken forever. The journey for the most part was uneventful. Crossing the Platte was an experience that tried the patience and endurance of all. One or two especial events tested the strong courage and self-denial of Rev. Henderson. One occurred while the company were still coming down the Platte. Feed for the cattle was getting short and the animals were beginning to show symptoms of great weariness. It was learned that food was plentiful on the north side, so it was decided to swim the cattle across the river for a few days' rest and recuperation. One brave man volunteered to ride his horse across as a leader and to encourage the cattle to follow. All went well until he struck the deep current on the opposite side, when both horse and rider disappeared in one plunge. The horse was seen to scramble up on the opposite bank but the brave man was seen no more. The cattle went over safely and had a day or two of rest. Then came the problem of getting them back again. The sad fate of the unfortunate man had filled the hearts of his fellow travelers with fear and apprehension. The young men felt that the responsibility was not theirs — but someone must go, and in this time of need Rev. Henderson's courage was not lacking. Naturally there was much anxiety and apprehension, but Rev. Henderson was a strong, brave swimmer and the work of getting the cattle over again was accomplished without further accident. Then came the dreaded crossing of the South Platte. There was no avoiding this difficulty, which all had to share alike. The moving picture of the "Covered Wagon" most vividly portrays this thrilling incident. This, too, was accomplished without accident; but there were still many weary days of travel and anxiety which tried the hearts of men and taught the women unfailing patience. The next great test of courage came to Rev. Henderson in getting his family down the Columbia to the boat landing on the lower Cascades. This seemed a most hazardous undertaking, particularly to his wife, who felt the trip could only end in tragedy, but by the skill of the Indians they were taken through the dangerous whirlpools and past the threatening rocks in safety to the boat landing. Rev. Henderson and his family carried a few household effects and he established his home in Yamhill county, where as always his first care was to secure educational advantages for his children and those of his neighbors. He resided in Yamhill county for about four years, after which he removed to Lane county. He was elected county superintendent of schools and while serving in this capacity the idea of establishing high school or college at Eugene began to develop in his mind. Accordingly he wrote to his brother, Professor E. P. Henderson, who had recently graduated from an eastern college, asking him to come to Oregon. As considerable assistance was promised him in the undertaking, Professor Henderson came to this state and at once entered upon preparations for the establishment of an educational institution at Eugene, where a suitable tract of land was secured and work begun on the building about the fall of 1857. A number of young men and women from different parts of Oregon enrolled as students in the institution, which was named Columbia College, among those who entered being Joaquin Miller, Judge Findley Watson, Judge John M. Thompson and many others who became prominent throughout the state. The college, however, proved to be an ill fated enterprise, as the first two buildings were burned down, and the stone building which was subsequently erected on the site was unroofed in a severe wind storm, the tin roof rolling down the hill. This last catastrophe closed the career of Columbia College, but the hill on which its buildings were located still retains the name of College Hill, of which the more modernized version is College Crest. The fact that so many young men and women had come to Eugene for higher educational training no doubt culminated in the establishment of the University of Oregon in that city. The institution owes its present very desirable location almost entirely to Rev. Henderson's efforts, as an interested and influential party had decided to erect the original college structure down on the flat near the Christian farm. Rev. Henderson, realizing the utter unsuitability of such a site for an institution of this kind, wrote to his friend, Judge M. P. Deady, who was then a member of the board of regents, and urged that a committee of the board of regents from Portland come to Eugene to look the situation over. This suggestion was complied with and the board unanimously selected the present site. Rev. Henderson was chosen to represent the people of Oregon in congress in 1863 and 1864. He was also instrumental in the location of the Southern Pacific Railroad up the Willamette valley instead of where it was previously planned. Moreover, he was much interested in horticultural pursuits, starting one of the first apple orchards in Lane county by planting apple seeds he had saved from apples which cost him about one dollar per dozen, and he then grafted the seedling trees with scions that he secured from the east by mail. Many of the trees which he planted are still standing in the old orchard at the Henderson, or Springfield station, as it is now called. The surviving members of the family of Rev. Henderson feel that his greatest eulogy came from the lips of a neighbor of many years' acquaintance who remarked to one of his daughters: "I tell you that your father was one out of a thousand." The memory of his upright and honorable life remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him, and in his untarnished character he left a precious inheritance to his children. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 680-683 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/lane/photos/bios/henderso637gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/lane/bios/henderso637gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 8.7 Kb