BIOGRAPHY: John HENRY, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 587-588.

  JOHN HENRY, Kishacoquillas, Mifflin county, Pa., was born on the homestead in 
Brown township, near the head of Coffee run, May 24, 1830, son of John and Rhoda 
(Taylor) Henry.  Their family included thirteen sons and daughters.
  After laying the foundation of his education in the common schools, John Henry 
became a pupil at the Tuscarora Academy, in Juniata county, Pa.  His course at 
that institution was suddenly terminated, on the destruction of the academy 
building by fire, after which Mr. Henry returned to his home, and remained there 
until he reached the age of twenty-two.  He then began farming on his own 
account, on the farm originally owned by his grandfather, William Henry, but 
continued there only two years, and then cultivated a part of his father's farm 
until the autumn of 1855;  at this time he went to California, to join two of 
his brothers, James Beatty and Samuel W. T. Henry, who had gone there a year or 
two before him.  After an uneventful voyage to Panama, he crossed the isthmus by 
rail to Aspinwall, it being only the second trip made in that manner between the 
two ports.  Mr. Henry reached California on Thanksgiving Day, landing at San 
Francisco, and going at once to Nevada county, where he joined his brothers.  In 
the following spring he took charge of the repairing of a reservoir.  After five 
years of prospecting and of camp life, Mr. Henry returned home, and was there 
for a year, during which time he sent his brother, Davis Henry, out to 
California for the benefit of his health, going back to the Pacific coast 
himself in 1861.  He was now made superintendent of the system of reservoirs, in 
the repairing of which he had formerly been employed.  He remained until 1866, 
and then finally went home, and settled down to cultivate the homestead.  Later, 
his parents bought the tract owned by the pioneer William Henry.  Mr. Henry has 
been a very prosperous farmer, and is now enjoying the comfortable leisure of a 
life retired from active business.  He is a worthy and respected citizen, 
holding an influential position.  In 1878 he was the nominee of the Republican 
party for county commissioner, and was elected by a large majority.  Before 
being commissioner, Mr. Henry had served one term as auditor of the county.
  John Henry was married, January 12, 1870, to Rebecca L., daughter of Benjamin 
and Elizabeth (Rudy) Garver.  Their only child is Rhoda Taylor.  Mrs. Henry was 
born September 8, 1842;  she was one of a family of five, the others being as 
follows:  Sarah Jane (Mrs. David Milliken);  John Rudy, who married Nancy Jane 
Henry;  Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. John Wilson);  and Abraham B., who married Clara 
Gibboney.  The parents are both deceased, Mr. Garver in 1860 and Mrs. Garver on 
March 17, 1896, at the age of eighty-six.  Mrs. Henry died March 8, 1894.  She 
was a devout and excellent woman, much beloved and respected, kind and 
charitable to all who needed her good offices.  Mr. Henry and his daughter 
attend the Presbyterian church at Reedsville.