W. H. Henderson, senior member of the drug firm of Henderson Brothers, Humeston, Iowa, was born in Delaware County, New York, September 3, 1852, a son of James and Nancy (Harkness) Henderson, natives also of the Empire State. He was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving his education at Cazenovia, New York. After leaving school he commenced life for himself by teaching in the schools of Delaware County, remaining there until 1874, when he came to Iowa and located in Humeston. Soon after his arrival he engaged in the general mercantile business with Alva Humeston under the firm name of Humeston & Henderson, continuing with him about two years. He then taught school one winter and after his school was out purchased the interest of Mr. Hough, in the drug firm of McCulloch & Hough, established by those gentlemen in 1875. In January 1884, G. A. Henderson bought the interest of Dr. McCulloch and the present firm was formed. Although an earnest worker in the cause of the Republican party Mr. Henderson has never had any official asperations and has accepted neither local nor national position. He was married September 16, 1875, to Miss Mattie Ferguson, a native of Delaware County, New York. They are the parents of three children – Floyd, born August 21, 1876; Annie, born May 17, 1880; and Edith, born December 23, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Fidelity Lodge, No. 228; Chariton Chapter, No. __, and Constantine Commandry, No. 23; also of Chappaqua Lodge, No. 121, I.O.O.F. The Henderson and Harkness families were both of Scotch-Irish descent, the grandfather of our subject, George Henderson [See: Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Delaware County, NY], coming to America in 1808, and sittling in Delaware County, New York, where he died May 1861. The second son, James, the father of our subject, was born in that county in June 1822 and is still living, the mother dying March 20, 1863 (sic, prob. 1853 since the father remarried unless there was a third marriage – see below). George A. Henderson, the junior member of the firm of Henderson Brothers, was born September 19, 1860.

Submitted by John Hutchins, October 2003
[Biographical & Historical Record of Wayne & Appanoose Counties, Iowa; Inter-state Publishing Company; Chicago; 1886.]