My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN HENDRICKS. If the farmer is essential to the life of a community, providing food and clothing for all, the man who makes trade and barter possible and easy is quite as useful and necessary. Trade and commerce have made it possible for man to rise from the level of savage life to the refinement of modern civilization, and in this line the life of our subject has been spent. With no sound of trumpets and noisy acclamations in the air, he has gone on his way, taking the part of a substantial citizen and a good friend and neighbor. He was born in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, May 2, 1830, and has been engaged in the affairs of this county all his life.

Samuel Hendricks, our subject’s father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1801, coming with his parents four years later to make his home in the woods in the town of Fayette, where they followed general farming. When quite a young man the father married Miss Almira Chadwick, of Granville, Ohio, and later located near Waterloo, where he engaged in the tanning business for a number of years. His death occurred in 1859, in Fayette.

Benjamin Hendricks, the grandfather, was born in Northampton County, Pa., his ancestors coming from Holland, and settling in the colony early in the century. He was Assemblyman in 1826, in which year he was also made a Mason. His wife outlived him about two years. The grandfather and Vice-President Hendricks were second cousins.

Benjamin Hendricks, our subject, was the second of four children, three sons and one daughter. One son died in infancy, and Albert died in 1875, so that of the old and happy childhood family Elizabeth is the only one living beside himself. He attended the public school and finished his school days at Waterloo Academy, and after leaving school he entered his father’s tannery, continuing there until 1868. He then formed a partnership with John Shiley, carrying on a mercantile business, under the firm name of Hendricks & Shiley, until 1891, when Mr. Hendricks sold out his interest in the business and retired from active labors.

In 1856 Miss Asenath Bacon, daughter of George Bacon, of Painesville, Ohio, became our subject’s wife, and they lived together very happily until 1891, when she was called to her heavenly home. Of this union one daughter survives; she is now the wife of George Keeler, and they make their home in Waterloo.

In politics Mr. Hendricks was formerly an old-line Whig, but of late has found the Democratic party more nearly accomplishing his political ideals, and so has largely acted with it. He has been Justice of the Peace for six years, and once was Town Clerk of Fayette. Socially he has taken much interest in the affairs of the community, and its social and religious organizations have found in him a faithful friend. He is a member of Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M., of which he was Master for three years, and of Salem Town Chapter No. 73, R. A. M.

Mr. Hendricks is a devoted member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with which his wife was also connected.