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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN HENSON, an honored veteran of the late war, is the owner and occupant of a farm of forty acres, located near Rockwood, in township 8, range 5, Randolph County. He is a native-born citizen of this state, his birth having occurred near McLeansboro, Hamilton County, March 31, 1835. His parents bore the names of William and Susannah (Brady) Henson. The former, who was a native of West Virginia, came to Illinois when it was but little more than a wilderness, and here died in March of 1850. Mrs. Henson was a daughter of James Brady and was born in Union County, Ky. She came to Hamilton County with her parents when a young girl.

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of three sons and seven daughters, only three of whom yet survive. His boyhood days were spent in his native county, where his studies were conducted in the primitive schoolhouse, with its slab seats and rude furnishings. In 1854 he came to Chester, where he was elected City Marshal, and he continued to hold that office until his enlistment in the army.

September 7, 1861, the name of John Henson was enrolled in Company H, Thirty-first Illinois Infantry. He participated in some of the most bloody engagements of the war, the first conflicts being at Belmont and Ft. Donelson, and the last at Atlanta, where he was captured and taken to Andersonville Prison. After having been confined for nearly a month in that place he made his escape, but was recaptured and taken to Salisbury. Two hours after entering the prison he was successful in escaping, and made his way to the Union army, stationed at Goldsboro, N. C. He was mustered out and honorably discharged July 15, 1865, having served gallantly throughout the entire struggle.

Mr. Henson has been thrice married. In 1854 he married Miss Rebecca Grindle, of Perry County, this state. Two children were born of this union, Benjamin F., a resident of Randolph County, and John L., who lives in Jackson County. September 1, 1865, Miss Adeline Baker, of Jackson County, became the wife of our subject, and to them one son was born, William Ulysses, who is living on a part of his father’s farm.

May 15, 1878, Mrs. Mary Steward became the wife of Mr. Henson. She is an excellent lady and is devoted to the welfare of her husband and children, Laura Belle and Mary Josephine, both of whom are at home with their parents. Mr. Henson is a member of the Baptist Church of Rockwood. In his political affiliations he is a stanch and true Republican. Socially, he is connected with Rockwood Post No. 734, G. A. R., of which he is one of the leading members.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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