WILLIAM HENDERSON.
William Henderson, one of the most industrious farmers of Benton township, Atchison county, Kansas, was born December 29, 1872, in the locality where he now lives. His parents, George and Amelia (Stockwell) Henderson, had six children, of whom the subject is the oldest. The others are James, Atchison, Kan., in the employ of the International Harvester Company; Josie married Walter Kelsey, and now dead; Ella married Clayton Davidson, of Effingham, Kan.; Etta, wife of Arthur Olinger, Jefferson county, Kansas; Iva, married Elmer Grabiel, Garden City, Kan.; George Henderson was born in Platte county, Missouri, in 1844, and came to Leavenworth county, Kansas, with his parents when eleven years of age. Seven years later he came to Atchison county, where he has since lived, and is now retired, making his home in Effingham. The mother of William Henderson was born in Missouri in 1846.
William Henderson was reared on the farm and attended the district school near the farm, and the Effingham high school one year. He worked for his father until he was married to Nettie R. Jenkins September 5, 1900. His wife was born in Mitchell county, Kansas, in 1883, and is a daughter of James Q. Jenkins, who came to Atchison county, Kansas, in 1894, from Nebraska, but was born in Illinois. Mr. Henderson owns 180 acres of land which is all well improved, the improvements costing $5,000. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, three died in infancy. The living child, Floyd, was born May 28, 1904.
Mr. Henderson is a Democrat. He belongs to the Elks lodge of Atchison, Kan., and the Masonic lodge at Effingham. Though not a church member, he attends regularly. Mr. Henderson has made a success by hard work and good management. He is always in favor of movements which benefit the community and is a public-spirited citizen.