Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-09
GENERAL 7. j. HENDERSON
FATHER OF F1ENNEPIN CANAL

in hand in that day, and in 1854 T. J.
Henderson was elected a member Of
the Illinois legislature and served in
that capacity a term of two years In
1865 he was elected to the state SEN
ate, and served with such men as y. 3.
Judd, Silas l.. Bryan, B. c. Cook, and
w. c. Cloudy, and was at that time the
youngest member of that body. Those
were exciting times. The whig party
had ceased to exist, and the newly or
ganized republican party had sprung
into existence. AS an anti-Nebraska
man he was elected to the house, but
as republican ne was elected to the
senate. The celebrated Kansas-Ne-
braska act had been passed. The
southern states were attempting to
force slavery upon the newly organized
territories, and the north, much against
its viii, was forced TO recognize the
great power welded by the south and
that that section was determined to
have its way regardless of cOnse-
quences. In this political fight Mr.
Henderson entered heart and soul
The election of Abraham Lincoln in
1850 furnished the pretext for the
southern states TO carry out their
threat Secession acts were passed.
and the war for the preservation of the
union was begun. II may well be sur
missed on which side Henderson was
to be found. In almost every school
district in Stark county he addressed
his fellow citizens, urging enlistments,
and pleading with all TO stand by the
administration and the union.
In the summer of 1862, when the call
came for 100000 more, Mr.. Hender
son determined to enlist, and at once
took the field and soon succeeded IN
raising a company, which became a
part Of the 18th. regiment. Illinois Vol
unteer infantry. Assembling in camp.
by permission Of Governor Yates. the
regiment was permitted 10 elect its
colonel, and Nr. Henderson received
the unanimous vote. both Of officers
and priVates. on the 22d Of Septem-
Der, 1862 the regiment was mustered
into service and Immediately ordered
10 the front It's record for nearly
three years following is a part of the
history of that struggle. In the cam
paigns through George and Tennes-
see, the ll2th. was ever at the front,
its colonel winning the good will of
his superior officers for his conscien- J
tous discharge OF every duty devoIv- /
ing upon him. Always hopeful. al
ways prompt always courageous. A
NEST loyal subordinate. and a most
able and devoted leader, was the rec /
ord given him by Major General ]. D /
Cox, under whom he long served At
he battle Of ResaCa. Georgia, May Il, /.
1864, he vas severely wounded and .
lay in hospital for some time. after
" hich he was granted a furlough and f.
7ame home TO recuperate. Returning
70 his regiment, the Sd brigade, Sd :
22d army corps. was organic
sd by him, and ne was assigned to its /
command. As commander of this bri- {
gade. he served until the close Of the
var. being brevetted a brigadier-gen-
eTal for gallant conduct during the
campaign in George and Tennessee, +
md especially al the battle OF Frank
in. Tennessee. the commission dating
November SO, 1854
The war over, the regiment being
mustered out Of service, General Hen
lerson returned to his home in Tou-
on. Stark county, and quietly resumed
he practice Of law. Here he remained
Until March. 1867. when he moved to
Princeton and formed a partnership
With the late Joseph J. Taylor. in the
practice Of his profession which was
continued until 1871 At that time the i
general vas appointed b. President
Srant as United States collector of in-l