Civil War Union Militia General, US Senator. Born in Danville, Virginia, he moved with his parents to Lincoln County, Missouri and was a farmer. Self educated, he studied law, was admitted to bar in 1844 and opened a legal practice. Having an active interest in his states politics, he was a member of the Missouri State House of Representatives, (1848-50, 1856-58). With the advent of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Missouri State militia in 1861 and commanded federal forces in northeast Missouri. In 1862, he was elected as a Unionist to the United States Senate and served until 1869. As a Senator from a slave state, Henderson co-authored and co-sponsored the 13th Amendment to the US Consitution permanently prohibiting slavery in the United States. On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment was approved by the US Congress, and it was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865. Not a candidate for reelection to the Senate, he served as a Missiouri State Court Judge and was made special United States Attorney for prosecution for the whisky ring at St. Louis, in 1875. He also served as commissioner on the board to handle the treat of the hostile Indian tribes in 1877. In 1888, he relocated the Washington D.C., where he lived until his death at age 86.
Civil War Union Militia General, US Senator. Born in Danville, Virginia, he moved with his parents to Lincoln County, Missouri and was a farmer. Self educated, he studied law, was admitted to bar in 1844 and opened a legal practice. Having an active interest in his states politics, he was a member of the Missouri State House of Representatives, (1848-50, 1856-58). With the advent of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Missouri State militia in 1861 and commanded federal forces in northeast Missouri. In 1862, he was elected as a Unionist to the United States Senate and served until 1869. As a Senator from a slave state, Henderson co-authored and co-sponsored the 13th Amendment to the US Consitution permanently prohibiting slavery in the United States. On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment was approved by the US Congress, and it was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865. Not a candidate for reelection to the Senate, he served as a Missiouri State Court Judge and was made special United States Attorney for prosecution for the whisky ring at St. Louis, in 1875. He also served as commissioner on the board to handle the treat of the hostile Indian tribes in 1877. In 1888, he relocated the Washington D.C., where he lived until his death at age 86.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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