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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  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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Dr. Samuel C. Henderson, a successful practicing physician of Howell, Ind., was born at Surgeonville, Hawkins county, Tennessee, January 16, 1848, son of S. L. and Annie (Williams) Henderson. The grandfather of our subject was killed and robbed by Indians near Chattanooga, Tenn. He had been making a campaign speech at Manchester, a short distance from the city, in the interests of a man by the name of Young, who was running for governor. The next day he started for Chattanooga and the tragedy occurred. Annie Williams was the daughter of Silas and Mary (Gibson) Williams, the former a soldier in the War of 1812, was wounded at Tohopeka (Horse Shoe Bend), March 27, 1814. Samuel Henderson was reared on a farm in Tennessee, attended the common schools of that day, and at the age of fifteen he enlisted in Company E, First Tennessee Federal cavalry, but on account of his youth was not permitted to serve, and was discharged June 11, 1865. Two of his brothers were in the Federal army, and one was in the rebel army. After his discharge he again attended school and on March 20, 1866, came to Indiana, locating first at Francisco, in Gibson county. He attended school in Owensville and later taught school in Columbia township, now Center township. He also taught one year at Cox school house, in Posey county. He paid for his education by teaching and by working in the harvest fields in the summer, receiving $3.50 per day for tying wheat. He secured a first grade certificate, and in 1873 began reading medicine, continuing the study three years while teaching school. He then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cincinnati. He was graduated from the Evansville Medical College in 1879. After his graduation he established himself in practice in St. Philip, where he has since remained and has met with great success, accumulating a comfortable fortune meanwhile. He has retired from the most arduous duties of a physician, but still attends to some office practice. Dr. Henderson has a farm, and is a raiser of fine cattle and hogs. He has been township physician three years, and back in 1875 he was assessor for Center township, Gibson county. He is the only Democrat in the family, even his brother who served in the rebel army being a Republican. In faith he is a Methodist, but is not a member of any church. On August 7, 1873, Dr. Henderson married Barbara Pelt, daughter of James and Nancy Pelt. She was born in Wadesville, Ind., where she was reared and received her education. They are the parents of eight children: Annie (deceased), Ina, Estella, Ethel, Myrtle, Charlie, Irma and Versia. Charlie lives in Mt. Vernon and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Irma and Versia are at home with their parents.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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