James Henry Dickey Henderson
James H. D. Henderson | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district | |
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | |
Preceded by | John R. McBride |
Succeeded by | Rufus Mallory |
Personal details | |
Born | James Henry Dickey Henderson restingplace = Odd Fellows Cemetery July 23, 1810 Salem, Kentucky |
Died | December 13, 1885 Eugene, Oregon | (aged 75)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Mary E. Fisher |
James Henry Dickey Henderson (July 23, 1810 – December 13, 1885) was an American farmer and politician from the state of Oregon. A native of Kentucky, he lived in Missouri and Pennsylvania before moving to the Oregon Territory in 1852. He worked as a publisher, pastor, and farmer before entering politics as a Republican, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives representing Oregon.
Early life
[edit]Born near Salem, Kentucky, Henderson moved to Missouri Territory in 1817 where he attended the public schools.[1] He entered the ministry and was pastor of a church in Washington County, Pennsylvania, from 1843 to 1851. In 1851, he returned to Missouri and published a literary magazine.[1]
The Oregon Trail
[edit]A strong abolitionist, Henderson decided to leave Missouri, where slavery was allowed, and move to Oregon Territory.[2] He, his wife, and five children endured an arduous six-month journey on the Oregon Trail and arrived in Portland, Oregon, on October 12, 1852.[2] The family established a homestead claim in Yamhill County, where they lived for four years before resettling in Eugene and establishing fruit orchards.[1] Prior to moving to Eugene, he served on the committee that helped to establish Columbia College, which opened in 1856 in Eugene.[3]
Political career
[edit]In 1858, Henderson was elected superintendent of Lane County schools, and then was nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate to represent Oregon in the United States House of Representatives.[1][2] Henderson went on to defeat Democrat Colonel James K. Kelly in the general election.[2] In Congress, Henderson served on the committees on the Pacific Railroad, Mines and Mining, Indian Affairs, and the special committee on the death of President Lincoln.[2]
Later career
[edit]Henderson was not renominated by his party in 1866, and returned to his agricultural pursuits in Eugene.[1] He also continued to preach, lecture, and write.[1]
Death and burial
[edit]He died in Eugene on December 13, 1885, and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
- ^ a b c d e Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon. Portland, Oregon: A. G. Walling. 1884. p. 483. ISBN 9780598541451. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
- ^ Morrison, Perry D. (December 1955). "Columbia College 1856-60". Oregon Historical Quarterly. 56 (4). Oregon Historical Society: 326–351. JSTOR 20612220.
External links
[edit] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress