Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-27
ANSWERS LAST CALL.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

/ Earl of Buchan in Aberdeenshire, Scot
land. He was scarcely 5 years old
when his father, Thomas Henderson,
left Old Deer for America, bringing
the family with him.
Family Poor In Chicago.
After many tribulations the family
landed in Chicago with something like
SIS of ready cash remaining from the
fund obtained by selling their house
hold effects in Scotland. They man
aged to get small farm in Illinois,
where they remained three years. Lat
er the Hendersons moved to Iowa, and
with money saved by David's thrifty
mother, purchased a tract Of prairie
land in Fayette county which was lat
er known as Henderson's prairie.
1t was in Iowa the future speaker
received his schooling. He worked on
the farm in summer and attended
school in winter, also joining a debat-
ing society, with which he received his
first ideas of studying law. In 1850 he
was sent to small Methodist college
at Eayas.e,K known as the Upper Iowa
university.
In his second year at the school the
war broke out and on the morning OF
September Is, 1861, when Henderson
was 81, he arose during the morning
assembly of the students for prayer
and asked that he be given chance
to speak. After a consultation of the
faculty his wish was granted, and he
then made speech which was talked
of for years in Iowa, owing to its pas
sion and patriotism.
Calls Students to Arms.
AS a result twenty-five of the stu
dents promptly enlisted with him. He
formed and was made lieutenant of
Company G of the Twentieth Iowa in
fantry He was shot in the face at
Fort Donelson and was in a hospital
till shortly after the battle Of Shiloh,
where he rejoined his regiment. In the
battle of Corinth he lost foot, but
after being discharged from the hospi-
tai he was made colonel of the Forty
sixth Iowa volunteers, and served
throughout the remainder of the war
in that capacity. When peace had been
restored Colonel Henderson studied
law, and from 1868 till 1882, when he
was elected to congress, and his part
ner, Judge Shiras, was appointed to
the United States supreme court, he
was q member of the firm of Shiras
Van Duzee & Henderson.
In 1867 Colonel Henderson married
Miss Augusta Fox of West Union, Iowa
and made his home at Dubuque, where
his .hree children were born. They
are Mrs. Angle Peaslee of East Du
buoue, ILL.,; Belle Henderson, who lives
with her parents, and a son, Don Hen
derson, who is in the lumber business
in st. Paul.
Famed for His Vitality.
Colonel Henderson went to Wash
ington in 1888 as a member of the
Forty eighth congress and at his re
tirement was antedated in the lows
delegation only by Congressman Hep
burn. He was a great story teller, ;
fluent and witty speaker and it wa
said of him that he could make wittie
speeches at the Gridiron and othe
club dinners, stay longer with tn
champagne and show up next day will
a clearer eye and brain than any 9th
err man. This was due to his marvel
GUS vitality. This one quality he ha
in excess of everything save his ten
acity He never abandoned a figh
until he had won.
AS an example of his vitality, man
stories are told Of the final operation
on his leg. Three previous operation
had not been successful and in 1879
he arranged for fourth. On this OF
casion he not only refused to take a
anaesthetic, but sat on the operatin
table of the hospital giving direction
and freely criticising the work OF tn
surgeons.
Gains Popularity At Home.
Colonel Henderson was clos
worker and watcher for the interest
of his district, and each succeedin
election gave him larger majorit.
His first was only 1903 and it gre
steadily till it exceeded 10000. H
served on many committees in col
gress and was popular with all IA
lions and parties. 1t was to his POI
PASTORAL Forlnfants and Ch1drpn.