William L. Henry
W. L. Henry, residing on section 19, Washington
Township, [Wayne Co, IA], is a native of Shelby County, Indiana, born March 15, 1838, the third child of
John and Hannah (Bailey) Henry, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively. They were the parents
of nine children -- Jerry, William L., John R., Eliza, Mary, Sarah, Jane,
Rachel and Solomon, six of whom lived to maturity. Our subject was six years of age when his parents removed to Putnam County, Indiana, and three years later settled in Fulton County, Illinois, where
he remained till seventeen years of age, his youth being passed in assisting on the farm, and in attending the
common schools of Fulton County. He then came to Wayne County, Iowa, with relatives, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the
Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg, battles of Arkansas Post, Chickasaw Bayou,
besides several skirmishes. After serving three years he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois. He
then went to Lucas County, Iowa, remaining there but a short time, when he returned to Wayne County. In 1867 he bought eighty acres of wild land on section 22, Washington Township, on which he resided till 1877. He then located on his present farm, which at that time was a wild tract of land, entirely unimproved. His farm now contains 160
acres of highly cultivated land, a fine story and a half residence, and commodious barn and out buildings for stock.
In connection with his farming and stock-raising, he has devoted considerable attention to contracting and building
during the past few years. In the year 1884 and 1885 he was engaged in contracting in Kansas, where he met with
excellent success. Mr. Henry was united in marriage, May 18, 1867, to Mrs. Martha I. (Clapp) Milner, a daughter
of John Clapp, who was one of the pioneers of Wayne County. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry have been born nine children
---- Myrtie E., born March 8, 1868; Frank L., born June 14, 1870; Amy B., born December 29, 1872; Charles A., born September 16, 1874; Jesse G., born October 6, 1876, died August 16, 1879; Cora A., born July 27, 1878; Mantie V., born October 26, 1880; Cecil M., born January 2, 1884, died February 11, 1884; and William E., born September 2, 1885. Mr. Henry is a comrade of Post No. 137, G.A.R., at Humeston. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
From History of Wayne County, Iowa.
Submitted by Tess Henry-Sittig
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