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JOSEPH HENRY, more familiarly known as "Uncle Joe," is well known and honored by the people of Jefferson County, not only as one of its pioneers, but as one of its most worthy citizens. lie is at present residing on section 13, Weber Township, where until recent years he was engaged in general farming. Mr. Henry was born in Hopkins County, Ky., March 4, 1819, and was the youngest member of a large family of children born to Joseph and Lucy (Shumacke) Henry. The father was born in Ireland, while the mother was a native of Virginia. Their sons and daughters bore the respective names of Sarah, Thomas, Polly, Nancy, Rachael, James, Lucy, Baily and Joseph. All grew to mature years and became the heads of families. The father of our subject was a farmer in Kentucky, but not a slaveholder. Joseph, of this sketch, was reared to manhood in the Blue Grass State, and was there married November 1, 1838, to Miss Alvira J. Crow. They made their home in Kentucky for about ten years, when they came to Williamson County, this state, where they engaged in farming. Mr. Henry also bought and shipped leaf tobacco, in which branch of business he was very successful. In 1850 our subject came to Jefferson County with his family and located on timber land, which was placed under good cultivation only by tire very hardest kind of work. At that time Indians still lingered here; they were frequent callers at his house and were always hungry. Deer, wild turkeys and all kinds of game were plentful, and the family did not suffer for fresh meat of that description. He now owns six hundred and forty acres on section 13. Mrs. Henry was the daughter of John and Nancy (Ilutchinson) Crow, natives of Virginia. Her brothers and sisters were: Betsy, William, Louisa, Alzada, Nancy, Tiny, Wesley and Caroline. After emigrating to Kentucky, Mr. Crow located on a farm, which he developed and which was worked by slaves. He was a very religious man and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject departed this life when he was quite young, and from the time he was twelve years old he has made his own way in the world. He has been very successful as a trader and farmer, and pays the largest school tax of any man in the township. He has given his children good educations and fitted them in every way possible to fill honorable and useful positions in life. In politics our subject has always voted with the Democratic party. Mrs. Henry is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer