James Henry Dickey Henderson

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.

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 byJohn R. McBride
Succeeded byRufus Mallory
Personal details
BornJuly 23, 1810
Salem, Kentucky
DiedDecember 13, 1885(1885-12-13) (aged 75)
Eugene, Oregon
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary E. Fisher

Early life

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

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

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]

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] He died in Eugene on December 13, 1885 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery.[1]

References
  1. "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
  2. Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon. Portland, Oregon: A. G. Walling. 1884. p. 483. ISBN 9780598541451. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
  3. Morrison, Perry D. (December 1955). "Columbia College 1856-60". Oregon Historical Quarterly. Oregon Historical Society. 56 (4): 326–351. JSTOR 20612220.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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