BIO: William Walter HENRY, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief. Pennsylvania, A History, Vol. 3, Biography. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1926, pages 26-27. _________________________________________ WILLIAM WALTER HENRY - The preparation for one's life-work is the keynote for success in the dominant scale of life, and that preparation does not mean alone merely education, but the manner of it. To just get an education, without zeal in its acquirement, does not carry a man far, but the one who works zealously at his sports, as well as at his books, who cultivates the spirit of unconquerability, the determination, from class prize to college game - that is the boy who later in life becomes the successful man. To do one's work so well just because the doing of it that way becomes a pleasure, is the ultimate measure of success. The man in business who requires watching never reaches the top run of the ladder, but he who tries to do even more than is expected of him, soon shows his employer the stuff of which he is made. Such a man cannot be held down, and sooner or later he begins to rise, and one good position after another comes his way. And finally he becomes an office holder in the very firm where others who began at the bottom of the ladder of life, have scarcely advanced. Such is practically the history of William Walter Henry, today the treasurer of the William F. Gable Company, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, who has risen steadily since he first entered the business world, starting out as a clerk on the completion of his high school education. He has grown to be a commanding figure in local affairs; is active in the civic and political life of his section, as well as being deeply interested in fraternal matters. His service to the people has won for him their high esteem and regard, and the promise for his future is still bright, with much to be garnered. William Walter (W. Walter) Henry was born February 16, 1877, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, son of Mordecai M. and Emma (Rousche) Henry. His mother was a native of Center County, his father of Huntingdon County, both of Pennsylvania. His father was engaged in clerical work until the time of his demise in 1906. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the Pennsylvania troops. He received his discharge with the rank of a private, and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The son received his education in the public and high schools of Altoona, and on the completion of his courses, began work as a clerk. Steadily improving himself through study and service, and the making of friends through his enthusiastic personality, he moved forward in his career, until in 1921 he became associated with the Wm. F. Gable Company, in the capacity of office manager. This position was the result of his knowledge of how to handle men, as well as of his efficient in office routine, his initiative and his executive ability, and two years after making this connection, in 1923, Mr. Henry was made treasurer of this company. He enjoys the confidence and the trust of his firm, and he has not ceased to develop or to grow, the potentialities of his future being still in his own hands. Mr. Henry is active in the civic, fraternal, political and church life of this section, and is rendering splendid service in various manners and ways. He has served on the Pennsylvania State Workmen's Insurance Fund, under Governor Brumbaugh; he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce; fraternally, Mr. Henry is a member of all the Masonic bodies, holding membership in the Scottish Rite; he also belongs to Jaffa Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and his club is the Blairmont Country Club. In his religious connection he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Henry married, in 1909, Edna Pensyl, born in Altoona, daughter of Hiram Henry and Juniata (Warfel) Pensyl.