Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 69

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 69

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The education of Joseph Hendricks was ac- quired in Wolf Creek School, which was held in

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

a log building, and as soon as old enough he began working on his father's farm. At the time of the war he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served 100 days, being mustered out at Camp Butler. He had been on guard duty in Missouri and Arkansas and had acquitted him- self creditably. At the close of the war he resumed farming, but two years later begau work at miuing, which he continued uutil a few years ago, when he retired. He is an active member of Camup Butler Post G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He owns the home where he resides and has been fairly successful in a financial sense. He has spent most of his life in Sangamou County and is well knowu aud much respected. He is pop- ular among his friends and has a reputation for integrity aud reliability.

Mr. Heudricks was married in Springfield, January 7, 1869, to Elizabeth Cantrell, born in Sangamon County, September 6, 1851, whose parents were natives of Ohio aud came to Illi- nois at an early day, settling on a farm near Athens, where both died. Of the eight chil- dren boru to Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell (four sons and four daughters), five now survive. Eight children were born to Mr. Hendricks and his wife, five sons aud three daughters, of whom two sons aud two daughters survive: Ireue, wife of Samuel Fox, of Springfield; Leonard, Wesley and Lillian, living at home. There are two grandchildren in the family.

HENKEL, Henry Bailey, President of Spring- field Business College, has arranged a course of study in this institution calculated to meet the demands of modern business methods. The course is a most practical one, and the work provided for by the manager of the school is a valuable training for the young mau or woman entering upon a business career. Prof. Henkel was born in Freeport, Harrison County, O., but soon came with his parents to Ipava, Ill., and after receiving good preliminary training, took special courses of study in Jacksonville, Ill., Cleveland, O., and Philadelphia. After teach- ing eight years iu the Jacksonville (Il1.) Busi- ness College, he came to Springfield and pur- chased a half-interest in the Springfield Busi- ness College, which then had an attendance of about one hundred and fifty students. In 1893, Prof. Henkel became sole proprietor of the col- lege, and one year later it was incorporated under the laws of Illinois, with Prof. Henkel as president and manager. The annual enroll- ment is uow about four hundred.

Under the management of Prof. Henkel, the Springfield Business College has maintained a steady and healthy growth, and is recognized as an institution of merit and high educational value. Several new branches have been added to the curriculum, and the students are as- sisted to good positions when they are pre- pared for the work. In its bookkeeping depart-

ment the most modern methods are taught and the department of penmanship is also very im- portant. Au excellent system of shorthaud and typewriting is taught, and modern machines are furnished for practice work. The Stenotype, a machine for writing shorthand, has lately beeu introduced and is proving to be a great success The college is located on the third floor of the Illinois State Register building, oppo- site the post office, ou East Monroe street, where it occuples the entire floor space of over 8,000 square feet. The rooms are light, heated by steam, and well ventilated.

Mr. Henkel was married in 1881, to Eliza- beth Corinne Freeman, of Jacksonville, and two sons have blessed this union: Myron F., a graduate of the law department of the George Washington University of Washington, D. C., uow au attorney-at-law of Springfield; and Herbert B., a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the Northwestern University of Evan- ston, now a practicing physician of Spring- field. Prof. Henkel is Past Commander of El- wood Commandry, No. 6, Knights Templar, and is also a Thirty-second degree Mason, Scottish Rite. He is recognized as an able, intelligent instructor, a good business man, and a useful, public-spirited citizen. A mau of genial quan- ner and dignified bearing, he is popular iu the many circles where he is known and esteemed. In training young men and women for business pursuits, he is playing an important part in the future welfare and progress of the city.

HENKLE, Jake S., of Ball Township, is one of the best-known farmers of his part of Sauga- nuon County, and is well liked by all. He has a nice farm of seveuty acres on Section 35, where he carries ou general farming with profitable results. He is energetic and enter- prising and has won success through hard work and good judgment. Mr. Heukle has spent his entire life in Sangamon County, having been born iu Cotton Hill Township April 7, 1850. He is a son of Marshall L. and Louisa (Rape) Henkle, the former a native of North Carolina, who came to Sangamon County in boyhood, his father being a native of North Carolina, where he died. The mother of Jake S. Henkle was born in Tennessee, and now lives with her son, having reached the age of eighty-five years. IIer father, a native of Tennessee, served in the War of 1812 and died iu Sangamon County.

Mr. Henkle received his education in the country schools of Sangamon County, but had few advantages in this direction. He early engaged iu the work on his father's farm, re- maining at home until he was twenty years of age. He has speut all his active life in farm work and has been a resident of his present farm nine years. He was married, in Sangamou County, December 29, 1875, by Rev. Clark, to Fannie Safford, born in New York State March 24, 1855, daughter of Daniel and Helen (Stone) Safford. both natives of New York. Mr. Safford was a farmer and an early settler of Sangamon

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County. His parents spent their entire lite in New York, but his wife's father, also a native of New York, came to Sangamon County, where he died. Six children were born to Mr. Henkle and his wife: Ernest, born in Sangamon County, February 19, 1879, died January 2, 1898, and is buried in Zion Cemetery; Daisy, born in Christian County, May 8, 1876, lives at home; Helen, born in Sangamon County, August 13, 1882, married John R. Lard, April 9, 1902, and they have three children-George, Ernest and Agnes ; Hattle, born in Sangamon County, May 4, 1887, is unmarried and lives at home; Nellie, born In Sangamon County, May 28. 1890, lives at home; Edna, born December 15. 1895.

In religious views Mr. Henkle is a Methodist and he and his family are members of the church. He is a Democrat in political princi- ples, but in local matters votes for the interest of the community and the man he believes wili best serve the interest of the people, rather than for party. He has served during the past year as School Director. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen and the Loyal Americans, and his wife is also a member of the latter order and of the American Home Circle.

HENKLE, Thomas Condeli (deceased) .- The late Thomas Condeil Henkle, a prominent citi- zen and successful merchant of Springfieid, was born in Decatur, Ili., January 13, 1850, and died at his home In Springfield, May 27, 1900. He was a son of Enos M. aud Martha (Condeil) Henkle, he born in Pennsylvania and she near Dublin, Ireland, and they had four children. Thomas C. Henkle received his education in the public schools of Illinois and inoved to Spring- field about 1868.

For many years prior to his death Mr. Henkle was a member of the John W. Bunn Company, wholesale grocers of Springfield, an old estab- lished firm and very successful in their ope- rations. The men connected with this company were able business men and the affairs of the firm were handled in a manner to insure the confidence of its patrons, oue of the greatest elements of success in any enterprise. Mr. Henkle was a representative and upright busi- ness man and was greatly respected and ad- mired for his many admirable qualitles and characteristics. He was handsome in form and feature and of attractive personality, showing high character in his every act. He was a true friend, a kind neighbor and a most loving hus- band and father, possessing those qualities which contribute most to the happiness of do- mestic life.

Mr. Henkle was marrled, Aprll 20, 1874, to Ellen Huntington, a singer of rare taient and weil known throughout Illinois, and a daughter of George Lathrop and Hannah Flagg (Forbes) Huntington.

Mr. Huntington was a taiented musician and was prominent In business circles and public affairs In Springfield. A sketch of his life appears in this work. Four children biessed the union of Mr. Henkle and his wife,

namely : Ellen Josephine, wife of William L. Patton, an attorney of Springfield and they have three children-James Huntington, Leo- nora L., and Wiillam Henkle; Leonora, wife of Paul Lester Starne, a coal merchant of Springfield; John Bunn, single, with A. J. Ed- wards & Sou, loan brokers of St. Louis, Mo., and Thomas Huntington, with the Electric Ser- vice Supply Company, of Chicago, Ill. The family attend St. Paul's Pro Cathedral Episco- pal Church. In politics Mr. Henkle was a Re- publican. He never cared for public office. He was very fond of his home and cared little for public life, though he was always interested in the general welfare of the community and the success of publle movements that were calcu- lated to be of lasting benefit to the people. The family resideuce is 811 West Edwards Street.

HENRY, George Washington (deceased) .- Not all of the men who were once numbered among the veterans of the Civil War, are still with us, and Springfield can claim a large quota of them on the other shore. Although they have de- parted, the memories of their good deeds, both in war and peace, remain, and their families cherish these and seek to enshrine their heroes in the list of the country's great. Among those who proved their worth when their country had most need of them, was the late George Wash- iugton Henry. He was born in Washington, Ind., November 5, 1831, a son of Richard and Lucy (Pickett) Henry, natives of Kentucky, the father being both farmer aud blacksmith. They were most excellent people and did their full duty in the state of life In which they were placed.

George Washington Henry was educated at Jacksonville, Ill., to which the famlly removed in his childhood, and remained with his par- ents. working on the family farm, until he se- cured one of his own. He had learned black- smithing from his father, and carried on his trade while cultivating his farm. Mr. Henry enlisted in the Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served gallantly until he was honorably dis- charged. He did not counect himself with any secret societles, but was a very consistent mem- ber of the Christian Church. From the time the Republican party was founded he was one of Its earnest supporters, and continued as such all the remainder of his iife. In later life Mr. Henry retired from the farm, coming to Spring- field, where he bought a pleasant home. Hls death occurred March 19, 1896, and he is burled in Arkausas, having gone to that State in search of health.

Mr. Henry was married In Jacksonville, Ill., August 3, 1852, to Elizabeth Reynolds, born in Springfield, March 6, 1835, daughter of James and Amelia Reynolds. Mr. and Mrs. Henry had these children : Mrs. Emma McMechan of Inde- pendence, Mo .; Ida, born October 19, 1866, mar- ried George Norton; Mrs. George Grubb, born in 1868, Ilves in Chicago.

HENRY, James D. (Vol. I, p. 230.)

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HENSLEY, William Sherman, a well known business man of Sangamon County, is a mem- her of the fimu of Hensley Brothers, furniture; dealers and undertakers at Tallula and Pleas- ant Plains. He was born in Island Grove Town- ship, July 4, 1865, a son of Jobu and Lee Ann (Lyuch) Hensley. Mr. Hensley's youth was spent on a farm in Cartwright Township, whence the family had moved when he was but one year old, and he hegan his education in the Franklin District school. Uutil twenty- two years of age, lie remained on the home farm, and on November 9, 1887, he was united in marriage with Rebecca J. Griffin, who was horn in Pike County, Ill., January 14, 1864, a daughter of William Blair and Malinda (Far- ris) Griffin, the former a native of Georgetown, Obio, and the latter of Highland County, that State. Mr. Griffin was what was known as a singing master in his young manhood, and after coming to Illinois in 1874, he became widely known throughout the State. He located in Pleasant Plains and here his wife died March 13, 1895, while he still survives and makes his home with Mrs. Hensley. At the outhreak of the Civil War he was one of the first to offer his services to his country, enlisting in Com- pany C, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, aud serving throughout the war. He received an honorahle discharge and has a war record of which any man might well be proud. There were eight children in the Griffin family : Frances, who was the wife of A. Q. Irwin; Amanda, the wife of A. L. Irwin of Springfield; Litta, the wife of S. A. Hensley,. of Hensley Brothers; Henry, of Oklahoma City, Okla., a contractor and huilder; Charles, a farmer near Dawson. Sangamon County, Ill .; two died in infancy.

After his marriage. Mr. Hensley settled on a farm in Cartwright Township and for twelve years carried on agricultural pursuits there, and on that farm his two sons were born: Charles Reed, born January 22, 1890, who was educated in the schools of Pleasant Plains and The James Millikin University of Decatur, has a fine mu- sical education and is a graduate of the Barnes College of Embalming of Chicago, and will as- sist his father as funeral director; and John Russell, born September 28, 1894, is in the Soph- omore class at the Springfield High School. On account of the failing health of his father, Mr. Hensley went to live on the latter's farm and continued tbere until 1899. In 1904 Mr. Hens- ley purchased his present home in the eastern part of Pleasant Plains and here he and his wife have resided to the present time.

Mr. Hensley went to Chicago in June, 1898, and there took a full course in undertaking and embalming at the Chicago College of Embalm- ing, secured a diploma, returned to this place and engaged in business, also operating a branch at New Berlin, the latter of which was sold in 1907 to Mr. Wilcox. In 1904. Mr. Hensley and his brother, S. A., formed a partnership, engag- ing in undertaking and in dealing in furniture

and farm implements. Later the implement de- partment was closed out on account of the growth of the undertaking department, and a branch was established at Tallula, of which S. A. Ilensley has charge. The Hensley Brothers have one of the finest equipped undertaking es- tablishments in the State, and every possible convenience has been installed for the benefit of patrons. They have their own private ambu- lances as well as an elegant funeral car, and both brothers have made their work a study, keeping constantly in touch with all inventions and innovations in their line.

Fraternally Mr. Hensley is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Court of Honor and the Eastern Star, of which latter his wife is also a member. In political matters he is a Republican, with Prohibition tendencies. He and Mrs. Heusley are connected with the Pres- hyterian Church, in the work of which both are prominent.

HERMAN, George W .- The pioneer history of Sangamon Couuty has been dwelt upon so ex- haustively elsewhere in this work, that but little remains to be said relative to those who devel- oped this part of the State, yet wben the Her- man family is mentioned it is only fitting that some reference be made to those sturdy front- iersmen who braved the dangers and endured the privations of Sangamon County as it was before it contained the State capital, and people had not yet begun to flock there. To the far- sightedness and keen appreciation of location and climatic conditions, which these pioneers showed in selecting Sangamon County as a per- manent home, is due its present importance. A well-known member of the Herman family is George W. Herman, a prosperous farmer of Ball Township, born in Woodside Township, Sanga- mon County, May 17, 1840, a son of David H. and Sallie (Mitts) Herman, the former born in North Carolina in 1805, and the latter in Ken- tucky, in 1811.

David H. Herman was taken to Kentucky from North Carolina hy his father, when a boy, and lived there for a number of years, marrying in that State. In 1829 he migrated to Sangamon County, arriving the winter of the great snow, but, not discouraged, he entered forty acres of government land in Woodside Township, on which George W. Herman was later born. He and his good wife had six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, all of whom are deceased except George W. The maternal grandfather of the latter also came to Sangamon County, entering eighty acres of government land, forty of which are now owned by the grandsou.

In a little log schoolhouse, containing slab seats and a puncheon floor, George W. Herman eagerly learned all the teacher sought to im- part. His entire life has been spent in farm- ing, and with the exception of eight years spent in Montgomery County, he has always lived in Sangamon County. For the past twenty-five

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years he has lived on his present fine farm of forty acres, now worth two hundred dollars per acre. He takes great pride in it and has bronght the whole place np to a high standard.

On February 26, 1863, Mr. Herman was mar- rled, in East St. Lonis, Ill., to Sarah Childers, born in Covington, Ky., August 22, 1842. Her father, a stone mason, lived for a time in St. Louis, where he bullt the first jail. Later he moved to Schnyler County, Ill., where he lived for a time, bnt spent his declining years at Al- ton, Ill., both he and his wife passing away in that city. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herman, seven of whom survive: Nora E. lives in Springfield where she Is a dressmaker ; Emma D., wife of William Jeffries, of Spring- field ; Augusta MI., wife of William Parker, a fire- man on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad ; Lanra D. Page, another daughter, lives in Springfield; Edward C., lives in Springfield, as does Sarah L., the latter being in the employ of the Roberts Laundry ; and Georgia is a school teacher at Anbnrn, Ill. There are four grand- children In the famlly.

Mr. Herman Is a Democrat in political faith, but has been too much occnpled with farming operations to find time to go before the public for consideration as an official. He believes in a man's doing all he can as a private cltizen, to secure good government and such improvements as will work out for the best interests of the community at large. Hard-working and thrifty, he has earnestly applied himself to hls business, and has developed into a practical farmer, whom it would be difficult to excel In his special line.

HERNDON, Archer G. (Vol. I, p. 230.)

HERNDON, Isaac William, beiongs to one of Sangamon County's oid and highly respected familles. He was born on a farm four miles southeast of Cantrall, in Fancy Creek Town- ship, November 29, 1874, a son of James Nathanlel and Mary Ann (Dunlap) Herndon, the former born in Springfield April 26, 1841, and the iatter born near Springfield, Sangamon County, March 5, 1850. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, served in the Civil War in Company G Tenth Cavalry, and his father was Willlam H Herndon, well known for his association in iegal practice with Abraham Lincoln. Willlam H. was a son of Archer G. Herndon, who was born in Culpeper County, Va., February 13, 1795, and when about ten years of age was taken to Green County, Ky., where he was marrled In 1816 to Mrs. Rebecca (Day) Johnson. Mrs. Johnson's father served in the Revolution. Archer G. Hern- don had one child born in Kentucky, and moved to Madison County, Ill., where another was born. Subsequently they came to Sangamon County, where they arrived in the spring of 1821. They settled five miles northeast of Springfield on what became known as German Prairie, and there two other children were born to them.

Willlam H, eldest son of Archer G Herndon, was born in Green County, Ky., December 25, 1818, and was married in Sangamon Connty, March 26, 1840, to Mary J Maxcy, who was born July 27, 1822. They had six children : James N., Annie M., Beverly P., Elizabeth R., Leigh W., Mary N. The mother of these chil- dren died August 18, 1860, and Willlam H. Herndon was married (second) July 31, 1861, to Anna Miles. Two children were born of this unlon, Nina Belle and Wlliiam M. The family removed to a farm six miles north of Springfield in Fancy Creek Townshlp. For many years William H. Herndon was a prac- ticing attorney in Springfield, being the law partner of Abraham Lincoln from 1848 to Mr. Lincoin's death.

Isaac William Herndon received his educa- tion in the public schools of Fancy Creek Town- ship and lived on a farm until abont 1902, then spent a year in Springfield, but returned to Fancy Creek Township for permanent res- Idence. He then learned the trade of black- smith, which he has since followed. He has spent most of this time in work at a mine near Cantrall, and makes that village his home. He is recognized as a skilled workman and stands well with his associates and fellow citizens. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and fraternally he was for nineteen years a mem- ber of the Woodmen and for a short time be- longed to the Court of Honor. He has served as Township Assessor and takes an active in- terest in public affairs.

Mr. Herndon was married in Springfield Au- gust 13, 1895, to Irene Emma McCoy, who was born near the Council estate, two miles east of Cantrall, Juiy 19, 1881, daughter of Martin and Anna (Brown) McCoy. Mr. McCoy was born in Ohio, February 8, 1848, and Anna Brown was born two miles east of Cantrall. The latter was a daughter of Benjamin F. and Susannah (Dunlap) Brown, her father born in Kentucky March 28, 1815. Benjamin F. was a son of James L. Brown, who was born in Sonth Carolina October 20, 1786, and in his native State was married In 1806 to Jane M. Berry, soon afterward golng to Unlon County, Ky., where eight children were born to them. James L. Brown bronght his famlly to Sanga- mon County, arriving there in 1824, and locat- ing in what became Fancy Creek Township, where three children were born.

The progenitor of this family in Sangamon Connty, Archer G. Herndon Sr., was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Springfield from 1825 to 1836, during which time he erected the first regular tavern in the town. He was one of the "Long Nine" who were largely Instrumental in securing the removal of the capital from Vandalia to Springfield, having been elected Senator in 1836. He served as Receiver of Public Moneys in the Land Office in Springfield from 1842 to 1849. He dled January 3, 1867, and his widow survived until Angust 19, 1875, both in Springfield.

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William H. Herndon's wife, Mary J. Maxcy, was a member. of one of Sangamon County's old families. She was born in Kentucky, daughter of James and Maria C. (Cook) Maxcy, the former a native of Prince Edward County, Va., born in 1791, and a soldier in the War of 1812, from Kentucky, to which State his parents moved when he was about seven years of age. He brought his family to Sangamon County in 1834. James Maxcy served as the first City Marshal of Springfield and for twenty-six years in succession held some city office. He was a son of Joel and Susan (Davis- Hill) Maxcy, the latter of whom died in Ken- tucky in 1812. Joel Maxcy was born in Rock- ingham County, Va., about 1759, and served as a soldier in a Virginia regiment at the time of the Revolution, taking part in the battle of Guilford Court House. After his second marriage, which occurred in Butler County, Ky., he removed to Logan County, Ky., and later to Sangamon County, Ill., arriving in Springfield in November, 1827, and soon after- ward removing to Island Grove Township, where he died December 27, 1827.

HERNDON, William H. (Vol. I, p. 230.)

HERRING, Henry (deceased) .- The late Henry Herring, former Chief of Police of Springfield, is missed in many circles in this city. He had been a resident of Springfield since 1873, and in that time had won many warm personal friends. A man of great energy and industry, by his own efforts, he won a position of trust in the community to which he came as a poor boy with his own way to make in the world. Mr. Herring was born at Johnstown, Pa., May 12, 1849, son of John and Mary (Ackerman) Herr- ing, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born at Johnstown. The father was a car- penter and contractor and brought his family to Illinois in an early day, settling at Niantic, where he carried on a farm and also worked at his trade. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, from Niantic, and while in the South was taken sick, died and was buried there. The mother somne years later went to Missouri and lived with a daughter, dying there.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 69

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774