My Genealogy Hound

N. T. Henderson in his connection with farming interests of Union county has met with gratifying success—success that has resulted from his close application and well managed business interests. He today owns a farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant township, which is a well improved and valuable property returning to him annually a gratifying financial remuneration for his labors and supervision.

Mr. Henderson was born in Fulton county, Illinois, July 16, 1857. He is a son of I. G. Henderson, a native of Ohio, and a grandson of N. T. Henderson, who in 1843 removed from the Buckeye state to Illinois, becoming one of the first settlers of the latter state. There I. G. Henderson was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Foster, a native of Ohio. He possessed considerable mechanical genius and learned and followed the blacksmith’s trade. Later he gave his attention to farming and reared his family upon a farm while carrying on the work of field and meadow. Subsequently he came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Afton, where he lived for twelve years. He also owned a shop on his farm and did neighborhood work as a blacksmith. He is now living in Illinois with a daughter.

Nathan T. Henderson was reared upon the home farm in Fulton county, Illinois, and at the usual age began his education as a pupil in the common schools. He lived with his grandfather between the ages of eight and fourteen years and then returned to his father’s home, where he continued for two years. He next began work as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for a number of years, providing for his own support and thereby gaining a start in life.

While still living in Fulton county, Illinois, Mr. Henderson was married on the 21st of December, 1877, to Miss Debbie A. Bybee, who was born in Illinois and there spent her girlhood days. Following their marriage Mr. Henderson rented a farm in Fulton county where he engaged in tilling the soil for several years, gathering rich crops as the result of his well directed labor His industry and careful expenditure at length enabled him to purchase a farm and in the improvement of his place his time was spent. He built a good house and barn thereon but both were carried away in a tornado. Later, however, he built another home in Fulton county, Illinois. In Union county, Iowa, he has lost ten buildings, including barns, residences and outbuildings. After a time he rented his farm and removed to Canton, where he lived for two or three years. He was interested in farming, however, until 1900, when he sold his property in Illinois and came to Iowa. He had previously visited the place and purchased a farm in Pleasant township Union county, investing in two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he improved and brought under a high state of cultivation. Later he purchased eighty acres adjoining the original tract, so that he now has three hundred and sixty acres of valuable and productive land. He personally carried on the work of the farm for two years and then bought a residence in Afton, which he now occupies. He gives supervision to his agricultural interests, however, and not only produces good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals but also raises and feeds stock upon his place. In August, 1907, he purchased an implement business in Afton and is now identified with mercantile interests.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been born five children: Mary, now the wife of Frank Steck, of Fulton county, Illinois, by whom she has four children: David F., Nathan F., May and Viola Steck; David I., who is operating his father’s farm and is married, having three children: Mary, Nathan R., and Raymond; Nathan Hamilton, a young man, at home; Dessie, who is a student in the Afton high school; and Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirteen months. The parents and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are much interested in its work. Mr. Henderson belongs to the Afton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree, while he is also a member of. the Encampment. He votes with the democracy and has always been an advocate of its principles but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which, capably conducted, have brought to him a goodly measure of prosperity.