BIO: Robert M. Henderson, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.

                          BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

379   BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

  HON. ROBERT M. HENDERSON, was born March 11, 1827, in the same house 
where his father was born, on what is now known as the McDowell or 
Miller farm, one where his father was born, on what is now known as the 
McDowell or Miller farm, one mile east of Carlisle, Penn.  In 1832 his 
parents moved to the old farm on which his father still resides, a part 
of which is now in the borough of Carlisle.  Our subject worked on his 
father's farm, and was one of the first to graduate in 1838 from the 
high school of Carlisle under the present common school system.  In 
1845 he graduated from Dickinson College, studied law with Hon. John 
Reed, and was admitted to the bar August 25, 1847, and at once began 
the practice of his profession in Carlisle.  In 1851 he was elected, by 
the Whigs of Cumberland County, a member of the Pennsylvania 
Legislature, and re-elected in 1852.  He was appointed additional law 
judge of the Twelfth Judical District of Pennsylvania, in April, 1874, 
and was elected to the same office without opposition, in November of 
the same year.  January 1, 1882, he became president judge of the 
district.  In March, 1882, he resigned this position and resumed the 
practice of law in Carlisle.  At the outbreak of the Rebellion he 
raised Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteer Reserves, and 
was elected and commissioned captain of this company, April 21, 1861.  
He served through the Peninsular Campaign, and was wounded in the left 
shoulder by a minie ball, at Charles City Cross Roads, Va., June 30, 
1862.  July 4, 1863 he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh 
Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteer Reserves, and returned with 
his regiment from the Peninsula, when the reserves joined the Army of 
Northern Virginia under Gen. Pope.  The regiment remained with that 
command, was engaged in the second battle of Bull Run, and during the 
battle, on the eve of August 30, 1862, while making a charge, Col. 
Henderson was shot through the body with a minie ball, and carried from 
the field.  He rejoined his command January 2, 1863, at Belle Plain, 
and remained with his regiment until May 1, 1863, when he was 

380  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

appointed provost-marshal of the Nineteenth District of Pennsylvania, 
under an act of Congress, and held that position until the close of the 
war.  March 13, 1865, he was made brevet colonel and brevet brigadier-
general for services and gallantry on the Peninsula during the seven 
days fights and at the second Bull Run.  Judge Henderson, as a soldier, 
judge and citizen always discharged the duties imposed upon him 
faithfully.  He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian 
Church, of which for many years he has been trustee.  In 1871 he was 
elected ruling elder in the church, which position he still retains.  
Judge Henderson married June 7, 1853, at Baltimore, Md., Miss Margaret 
A. Webster, a native of Baltimore, a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth 
(Thornburg) Webster, natives of Maryland and of English descent.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Henderson have five children:  William M., a miller and 
merchant of Carlisle; John Webster, attorney and partner in the office 
of Henderson & Hays; Margaret T., residing at home with her parents; 
Elizabeth P., wife of H. C. McKnight, a wholesale merchant of 
Pittsburgh, and Rebecca, at home.  William M. Henderson, father of the 
judge, was born May 28, 1795, and is still living at the advanced age 
of ninety-one years, possessed of all his faculties.  He is a son of 
Matthew and Margaret (Miller) Henderson, natives of Pennsylvania.  
Matthew Henderson moved to Perry County, where he died near Gibson's 
Rock.  William M. Henderson worked at milling and farming all his life.  
He married Elizabeth Parker of Cumberland County, a daughter of Andrew 
and Margaret (Williams) Parker, Scotch Presbyterians and early settlers 
of Cumberland County.