Old Soldier Answers Taps


    Another of the “Boys in Blue” responded to the Last Roll  When Comrade G. A. Henderson, of 
Carson Township, passed away Thursday, May 7th., at one o’clock.
    Mr. Henderson was one of the most respected citizens of  Carson Township where he had lived 
for forty years. He was a man widely known and one of the remarks he made in his last sickness 
was that he had no enemy on earth. He was one of those quiet, unobtrusive men who spend their 
lives helping others, and it was his keenest joy to render a service to a fellow man in need. No one 
but the All Wise will ever know the acts of kindness he has given to needy ones and these acts will 
stand longer than any shaft of marble that could be erected in his memory. His philosophy of life 
was that is some good purpose in every apparent adversity and this is no better than in his last 
words, “God in his wisdom has ordained all things. Take me as I am.” 
    Comrade G. A. Henderson was born in Orange County, Indiana, November 6, 1838, and when 
but thirteen years of age came with his widowed mother to Jacksonville, Ill. He lived at home and 
helped his mother and family by engaging in farm work, driving a stage coach, and various other 
kinds of work until he was twenty years of age.
    In 1861 he came to Shelby County, Ill., looking for work and secured a position in a saw-mill. 
He was engaged in the saw-mill business for 27 years except for the time spent in the U. S. Army.
    On August 10, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F. 115th Ill. Volunteer Inft. in which company he served 
as a private until he was honorably discharged on June 11, 1865. His regiment participated in the 
campaigns if Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and then went back to NashvilleHe was in the 
following battles; Chickamaugua, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., Buzzard Roost and Resaca, Ga., 
and helped to occupy Richmond, Va. Mr. Henderson made an excellent record as a brave, faithful 
soldier and an honorable gentleman during his entire career in the army. 
	In 1861 Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Priscilla E. Williams of Shelby county 
and to this union eight children were born, four having preceded him to the spirit World.  He leaves 
the following relatives to mourn his departure: His wife, Priscilla E. Henderson, two sisters, Fannie 
Ebert and Judith Fetters, both of Puxico, Mo., two daughters, Fannie D. Henderson of Ramsey and 
Clara V. Gray of Decatur, Two sons, J.E. of Decatur, and W .A. of Vandalia and twenty grand-
children and four great grand-children.
	For the last twenty-five years he has engaged in farming in Carson township and during 
that time he has served two terms as road commissioner and about twenty years as Justice of the 
Peace, presiding at many important law suits and uniting in marriage a large number of people.
	He was converted and baptized into the Christian church in 1881 and has always been a 
cheerful giver and a willing doer for the cause of Christ.
	The funeral was held from the Christian church in Carson township May 8th, conducted by 
the Rev. Stemper, and his remains were laid to rest in the Welch cemetery.  The following members 
of the G.A.R. of which he was a prominent member, were the pall bearers and carried his remains 
to their last resting place: Walter Roberts, John Robinson, Mr. Buckmaster and H.B. Knight of 
Ramsey and Thomas Burrus and Mr. Kink of Herrick.
	The family desire to thank the many friends and neighbors for the kindness and sympathy 
manifested during his sickness and death.