The colored American., 1903-04-18
MR.. I. LEONARD HENSON. \. B.
L. 1. N, SCHOLAR, LAWYER,
AND AUTHOR.

at San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 23rd 1872.
His luck was 10 be born not amid
wealth, luxury and ease, but rather
amid christian Influences as were
daily thrown around him by example
and precept of his parents, Rev Mack
and Mrs. Maggie F Henson, and the
cOmpanionship of Two brothers. F.
Milton and James c. Henson. His ear
ly training was begun at his mothers
knee, and in the public school taught
by his father. His yearning 10 know,
and will 10 succeed carried him for
ward rapidly. On the appointment to
a charge at Austin, Texas given his
father, he was able TO enter the public
schools of that city, from which he
graduated in 1886. He then entered
Wiley University, at Marshall, Texas
and subsequently TillotsOn College. at
Austin, Texas, from which institution
he received preparation for college
Entering New Orleans University. New
Orleans, La, he continued his duties
finishing his academic course in class
of 80. He taught the public school OF
Lilac, Milan Co. Texas, the year of '93.
but. that profession not being OF his
choice and desire, he abandoned same
and began the study Of law IN the law
Office OF Air. Wm. Brueggershoff. at
Austin, Texas Through the assist
ance OF Hon. JOS. D. Layers. late Gov
ernor of Texas. he received a govern
ment appointment ct Washington. D.
c. He entered Howard University Law
School in 81 graduating in SO In
the FAN Of the same year he passed
the bar examination and was admitted
10 practice before the Supreme Court
of the District OF Columbia. Dee. 18th
1895. Continuing his studies al
Howard University Law School in Post
Graduate course he finished same in
class OF 81. On Oct. 4th, 1897, he was
admitted 10 practice before the Court
OF Appeals of the District of Columbia
In January Of 1898. he removed TO
Texas. and began the practice of his
profession at Dallas. being admitted 10
practice before the Courts Of Texas
February 2nd. 1898 During his prac-
tice there he was also the associate
editor OF the "ItemIndeX' Upon his
return 10 Washington. D. c. from the
Republican National Convention. at
Philadelphia. June 1900, he secured a
cleTkSnIp in Census Office. Still yearn-
ing for the law in its philosophical
historical, and comparative sense. he
entered The Catholic University OF
America, in Fail OF same year, pur-
suing Il course IN law leading TO the
degree of ''juriS cOmmunis doctor"
O. c. D-), and in the departments of
economies and politics OF the school
OF Social Sciences. As a member of
the Alumni Association of that univer-
sity, he has met up with some of the
best minds OF this country and Europe
al its annual meetings. notably at
Baltimore and New York After his
graduation in May '9S. from TilIotson
College, and in June OF the same year.
he woOed and won the heart and hand
OF his school-day love. Miss Virginia
E Brown, of Austin. Tex, who as
wife has added much OF comfort. hap
piness. and success 70 him in his ardu-
Gus labor Two children. Hattie Aman-
da and I. Leonard. Jr-, make up this
happy family. In early life he pro-
fessed Christ IN the pardoning of his
sins in the Sunday School at San
Antonio, Texas. and from then has
been a Jealous worker in the church
For the third term he Is serving As
burg NJ E Sunday School, one of the
largest in the District of Columbia.
as superintendent; for two years prior
he was one OF the trustees OF that "old
historic church," was District Presi-
dent Of the Epwor,h League. of Dassas
District in 1899, West Texas Confer
ence; and is 3rd Vice-President of Ep-
worth Leagues of Washington District
or the Washington Conference At the
last General Conference OF. the NIetho.
dist E,niSroua7