06/21/2018
Samuel McNeal Henderson is my great grandfather. His daughter, Minnie Myrtle Henderson, is my maternal grandmother.
This comes from the Saline County, Arkansas, Goodspeed Biographies that were originally published individually between 1889 and 1891 (as well as a seventh volume published in 1894) by the Goodspeed Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois.
Samuel M. Henderson, owner and proprietor of the Benton Jug Factory at Benton, established in 1885, was born in Saline County in the year 1842, and is a son of Samuel T. and Belinda (Bland) Henderson, born in Maury County, Tennessee, in 1814, and (now) Saline County, Arkansas, in 1815, respectively.
Samuel M. Henderson was the third of nine children born to his parents, and was educated in the public schools of his birthplace. He served four years through the Civil War, and was a member of Company C, Third Arkansas Cavalry, holding the rank of lieutenant, and taking part in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, all though the Alabama campaign and a number of hard skirmishes. He was with Gen. Johnston at the surrender, and afterward returned home, where he was married, in March, 1865, to Lavenia Antonia, daughter of Dickerson and Nancy Futrell, who moved from Mississippi to Saline County about the year 1850, where the mother died in 1865. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, of whom five sons and three daughters are yet living. Soon after his marriage he moved with his wife to Texas, where he was engaged in merchandising and trading in beef, cattle, and various commodities until 1870, when he returned to Saline County and commenced farming. He remained at this calling until 1879, and then embarked in milling, and also railroading for awhile, until he branched off into the pottery business, which he has fostered and managed with such good judgment, that it is now one of the best paying industries in Saline County. His establishment has a capacity of 5,000 gallons jugs per week, employing on an average of twelve people, and is using the latest improved clay crusher, manufactured at Roseville, Ohio. In politics, Mr. Henderson is a strong supporter of the Democratic party; and cast his first vote for Seymour in 1868. In secret societies he is a member of Monticello Lodge No. 62, A. F. & A. M., and the K. of H. at Benton. In religious faith he and wife are Methodists in good standing.
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Samuel and Antonia's (Toni) children are as follows:
Anna Maude Henderson 1865 – 1867
Charles D Henderson 1867 – 1890
Jamie C. Henderson 1869 – 1872
Samuel Turpin Henderson 1870 – 1932
Jessie Bland Henderson 1872 – 1960
Walter Lewis Henderson 1874 – 1906
Nancy Gertrude “Mamie” Henderson 1876 – 1960
Bennie Henderson 1876 –
Garland Henderson 1878 – 1918
Minnie Myrtle Henderson 1879 – 1974
City Henderson 1881 – 1900
James Henderson 1881 – 1900
Robert Leroy Proctor Henderson 1891 – 1972
They had two sets of twins.
Note: Robert Leroy Proctor Henderson is the adoptive son of Samuel McNeal Henderson and his wife, Lavenia Antonia "Toni" Futrell Henderson. He was a ward of Samuel and his wife, Toni on the 1900 US Census. He was 9 years old at that time. It is not known when the actual adoption took place.
