BIO: John C. HENDERSON, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ HON. JOHN C. HENDERSON has won a distinguished position among the leading business men of Centre county, for many years being identified with the mercantile, lumber and agricultural interests of this section of the State, but now practically living a retired life upon his farm on Mud Lick branch, in Huston township. A native of Centre county, he was born December 6, 1832, in Patton township, then called Pond Bank. Rev. William B. Henderson, father of our subject, was born in Morris county, N. J., April 10, 1793, of which State his parents, Eleazor and Margaret (Barton) Henderson, were also natives. At one time they came to Centre county, but not being satisfied returned to New Jersey, where they died. By occupation, the grandfather was a lumberman and coal miner. Until eighteen years of age Rev. Henderson followed ore mining, and two years later became a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a circuit rider for twenty-five years. He continued the work of the ministry up to his death, which occurred October 22, 1856. He was three times married, his first union being with Miss Rachel Connor, who was born in 1798, and died in October, 1839. To them were born six sons and one daughter as follows: Samuel, who died at the age of six years; Eliza, deceased wife of Rudolph Light, of Blair county, Penn.; Robert E., deceased, who was a merchant and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; William B., who died at the age of twenty-five years; John C., of this sketch; David S., also a minister and school teacher, who died at the age of twenty; and James F., who died in the army. Rev. Henderson next married Mary A. Fugate, who died in 1845 at the age of twenty-eight years, and later he wedded her sister, Martha J. Fugate, by whom he had two children: Grant, who died in infancy; and Martha, who died at the age of one year. The mother of these children passed away at Altoona, Penn., in 1892, at the age of sixty-four. Our subject was provided with very meager educational privileges, being able to attend school for only about a year and a half. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, March 27, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth J. Cooper. Ten children graced their union, namely: Martha M., who died at the age of twelve years; Frances A., wife of W. P. Parsons, a farmer of Huston township; Mary E., wife of Rev. S. J. Taylor, of Berlin, Somerset Co., Penn; Elmer E., a merchant of Julian, Centre county; Emma, wife of Rev. L. N. Fleck of Stoystown, Somerset county; Grant, who died at the age of one year; Lillie L., wife of G. F. Steverson, a farmer of Patton township, Centre county; Ollie M., at home; Curtis D., who died at the age of seventeen years; and Verrus G., at home. Mrs. Henderson was born in County Down, Ireland, December 5, 1835, and was the only COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 205 child of Thomas and Mary (Reed) Cooper, also natives of the Emerald Isle. By occupation the father was a fisherman, and was drowned in 1836 during a big storm. In 1848 the mother and daughter crossed the Atlantic, taking up their residence in Buffalo Run, Centre Co., Penn. During the last forty years of her life, Mrs. Cooper found a pleasant home with our subject, where she passed away in 1893. Mrs. Henderson is also deceased. She was an earnest, devout Christian, a true and faithful wife and tender mother. She left many friends who deeply mourn her taking away as her quiet, unassuming manner and pleasant ways endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. After his marriage, Mr. Henderson rented a farm in Bald Eagle Valley for two years, which he operated during the summer season, in the winter, working the lumber woods. For the following two years he lived upon a rented farm in Patton township, and then removed to a rented place in the lower end of the county, but while there purchased a farm in Huston township. However, he went to Julian Furnace, where for three years he conducted a hotel, and on selling out there, purchased the large "Hotel Elsworth," in Osceola, Clearfield Co., Penn., which he conducted from 1867 until 1875. On the 20th of May of the latter year it was destroyed by fire, which also reduced to ashes eight other buildings belonging to our subject, thus causing a heavy loss. The previous January, he had been appointed, by President Grant, postmaster at Osceola, which position he filled for three years and a half, when he resigned and began the cultivation of his present farm in Huston township, Centre county. Here he made his home from May, 1877, until 1894, when he went to the village of Julian, where in the spring of 1889 he had opened the mercantile establishment now conducted by his son. The building was destroyed by fire in May, 1896, but business was at once resumed at another location. In the spring of the same year, Mr. Henderson returned to his farm but leaves its management to his son, and after a long life of toil is now calmly resting from his labors. In the flood of 1889, which caused so much damage in Centre county, he lost considerable, but he has steadily overcome all the difficulties and trials that have beset his path, and is enjoying a comfortable competence which is well deserved. Mr. Henderson has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director twenty-eight years, mayor of Osceola one year, tax collector of Huston township and county commissioner six years, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Although an ardent Republican, and the county strongly Democratic, he was elected county commissioner with a majority of 739, which fact plainly indicates his popularity, and the confidence and trust the people repose in him. For twenty years he was the efficient president of the school board, and was treasurer two years. He is a devoted Christian, a faithful worker in his Master's vineyard, and the poor and needy always find in him a friend.