Nathaniel Greene Henshaw

NATHANIEL GREENE HENSHAW, one of the pioneer settlers of Mound Valley, Labette county, Kansas, has lived for many years at his present home, in section 36, township 32, range 17. He was born, January 4, 1847, in Effingham county, Illinois, and is a son of Nathan G. and Jane (Weatherby) Henshaw.

Nathan G. Henshaw died on a mail packet at New Orleans, in the spring of 1850. His death was caused by cholera. Mrs. Henshaw died when her son, Nathaniel, was but one week old. She left two other children, namely: William, now conducting a nail factory at Belleville, Illinois; and Maggie, the wife of Stephen Apperson, of St. Louis, Missouri.

Nathaniel Greene Henshaw, whose name opens this sketch, was reared by a kind-hearted Pennsylvania-Dutchman, whose name was Trober. He remained with him until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he enlisted in Company E, 11th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and later was transferred to the 8th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and assigned to Company B. He served in the army very nearly three years, and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1866. After that, he returned to Illinois, where he farmed until he located in Labette county, Kansas.

Mr. Henshaw moved to Labette county, October 23, 1870. He settled on the farm where he now lives, and for eight or ten years was in litigation with the railroad company. He sold 80 acres of his farm, and now has 86 acres of finely improved land. When he located in Kansas, he was accompanied by his brother-in-law. He built a log house, and brought his family here to live. In 1872, a cyclone swept through that part of the county, devastating a space about 200 yards wide, and finally reaching Iowa, where it did much damage. Mr. Henshaw's farm is situated at the head of two creeks, or draws, one going north and one south. The storm followed these draws, and while no one was injured, everything was badly shaken up, and distributed over a large area. The log house was destroyed, but Mr. Henshaw soon built another, which is now standing. A stone hen-house was also destroyed by the cyclone. Mr. Henshaw is very proud of a large elm tree which stands back of his house, and which is nine feet in circumference. He carried the switch from which it grew in his pocket. He has some very large maple trees, which add greatly to the appearance of his farm. In 1876, he set out some hedges, which divide the farm into seven parts. When he first located on this farm, he broke some land, and raised sod-corn, oats and buckwheat. He now gives much attention to the raising of Poland-China hogs. His home is a very comfortable one, and he has one of the best farms in the section. The buildings are all, commodious and substantial, and the orchard and grounds are in fine condition.

Mr. Henshaw was united in marriage, in Illinois, with Lurinda Stapleton. She was born in Illinois, in 1845, and is a daughter of Elisha Stapleton. Elisha Stapleton held the first justice court in the western part of the county, - serving a number of years. He died in 1875, in Labette county, and his wife died in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Henshaw have six children living, and had one, who died when an infant. The living are: Maggie Dean; Edward, who married Miss Cooper, lives on the old Potter farm, and has two children, Carrie and Mabel; Laura Belle; Mary Alice; Daisy (Gillett), who lives near her father's farm; and Jennie.

Mr. Henshaw has always voted the Republican ticket. He has served on the school board in District No. 68. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, of Mound Valley. He was formerly a member of the Anti-Horsethief Association. Religiously, he belongs to the Christian church.