Senator George W. Henderson View All Years

GEORGE W. HENDERSON

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee which was appointed to report resolutions commemorating the life, character and service of the late Hon. George W. Henderson, beg leave to submit the following report, and move its adoption:

Hon. George W. Henderson, venerable pioneer, soldier, farmer, and politician, having put ninety-four and one-half years of life behind him, peacefully went to his final sleep at his home at Highland Farm near Rolfe, on October 22, 1927.

He was born near Springfield, Illinois, April 19, 1833. His parents were John H. and Elizabeth E. (Powell) Henderson. They removed to Ottawa, Illinois, where the son grew to manhood. His education was limited to about three years attendance of common school. In 1855 he removed to Masonic Grove (now Mason City), Iowa, where he ran a sawmill and a gristmill, and became a bridge builder. September 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, and was later transferred to Company M, Seventh Iowa Cavalry. After serving over three years he was mustered out. In 1875 he removed to Sac county and engaged in farming. In 1882 he removed to Rolfe where he improved a farm which remained his home the rest of his life. He was for a time while living in Cerro Gordo county a member of the Board of Supervisors; and in Pocahontas county was in 1891 elected Senator from his district and served in the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-sixth extra General Assemblies. As early as 1844 he went westward through the Iowa territory to the Missouri River, thence north through the Spirit Lake region into the present Minnesota country and thence back to Iowa City where the territorial legislature was in session considering the boundaries of the proposed new state; and it was partially through information reported by him to the members of the legislature the people of Iowa agreed to the present boundaries of our commonwealth. In the late fifties he was active in warding off the Indian troubles. In the army his skill as a mechanic and bridge builder, and his services as a scout, were valuable. When the first Republican state convention was held in Iowa on February 22, 1856, he represented his part of the state. To the very last he always took a patriotic interest in public affairs.

Therefore, It is Resolved by the Senate, That the character and service of George W. Henderson must always be respected; that his life is an example of private virtue and public service to be universally emulated; that his early labor as pioneer merits our gratitude; that we recognize in him an honored soldier who sleeps now in a hallowed grave within the bosom of the state which he helped to make so great; that his duty as citizen and statesman was always well done; that his long life as neighbor, benefactor, and friend gives just pride to our people; that love attends his memory and future generations shall call him blessed.

F. C. GILCHRIST,

E. W. CLARK,

O. E. GUNDERSON,

Committee.