Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2853ried A. H. Lee, both being now deceased. Isaac P. Henderson died in 1864,'highly respected by all who knew him.Robert J. Henderson, father of our subject, was born in Newton Countyin 1822. He was reared in his native county, attending its public schools andlater becoming1 a student at the Georgia State University, where he was graduated with the degree of Litt. B. A typical Southern gentleman, he took,an interest in military matters, organizing a company and serving as majorof the Covington Militia. On the breaking out of the war he was appointedcolonel of the Forty-second Georgia Regiment, with which he went to the front.He was made brigadier general at the Battle of Bentpnville, North Carolina,was wounded at the Battle of Resaca, but served gallantly until the end ofthe war. His military historj^ is bound up in that of his regiment and in thatof the army of which he formed a not insignificant part and will be preservedforever in the records of the Southland. After the great struggle was over hereturned home and became interested in the milling business in Covington, inwhich he was successfully engaged for a number of years. His death tookplace in 1894 when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. His wifeLaura survived him a few years, dying in the year 1900. She was a daughterof Gary and Mary (Billings) Wood, natives of South Carolina who settled inCovington, Georgia, where Gary Wood was one of the leading pioneer merchants, an extensive land owner, and also judge of the inferior courts for anumber of years.Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Henderson had a family of eight children, of whom/ three are now deceased. They were, all told, as follows: Robert, who died in^ infancy; and Clifford, who died at the age of twenty; Mary Ruth, who is thewife of L. J. Hill and resides in Atlanta; John F., whose name appears at thehead of this review; 'Isaac P., now deceased, who was engaged in mercantilebusiness in Covington; Claudia L., wife of Edward J. Hill, of Washington,Georgia; Charles Henxlerson; William H., who resides in New Orleans, andGary Wood Henderson, now deceased.John F. Henderson was educated in the public schools of Covington,Georgia, and began industrial life as a farmer, conducting his operations on alarge scale until 1912, -in which year he sold his plantations with all theirconnected interests. In 1885 he was elected county treasurer on the democraticticket against a strong republican opposition, the county at that time beingrepviblican by a large majority. He remained in this office for seven consecutive terms, or for fourteen years, making an excellent record. In 1899 he waselected mayor of Covington and served the city in that office for three consecutive terms. During his incumbency he took a leading part in installingthe electric light plant and always cast his influence in favor of progress andsound government. He was by this time widely recognized as an up to date andcapable business man, having been for many years a director in the ClarkBanking Company, and he was now elected president of the Bank of Covington,a consolidation of the Clark Banking Company, and which was organized witha capital of $100,000. After holding this office for two years, he sold out hisinterests in the concern and in 1908 organized the Bank of Newton County,with a capital of $80,000, and has since been its active head and controllingspirit. In 1900 Mr. Henderson, in company with N. C. Turner and theT. C. Swan estate, organized the Covington Cotton Mills, with a capital of$100,000. After erecting a splendid plant, consisting of modern brick mills,installed with the latest and best machinery, they began the manufacture ofcotton cloth, starting with 5,000 spindles, which they have since increased to30,000 spindles and 700 looms. The enterprise has been a pronounced successfrom the beginning and has added considerably to the prosperity of the city,the weekly payroll amounting to $16,000. Mr. Henderson has been director,secretary and treasurer of the company since its organization, and his keenforesight and sound business methods have been a leading factor in its success.