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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IA-IRISH] Bio of W.A. McHenry
Date: Sun, 18 May 2003 08:06:21 -0500


Surnames: McHenry, Allen

Gue, B.F. Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa. Des
Moines: Conaway & Shaw Publishers, 1899.

McHenry, W. A., son of James and Sarah (Allen) McHenry, was born in Almond,
N. Y., on the 6th of March, 1841. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His
grandfather, John McHenry was born in Coleraine, County Antrim, Ireland, and
came to America in 1730, on the same ship with the father of DeWitt Clinton.
He served as major of the First New York battalion in the French war of
1756-7. His son, Henry McHenry, was born at Wallkill Valley, Orange county,
N. Y., July, 1752, and served as captain in the Second United States (or
Continental army) infantry during the war of the revolution. His son, James
McHenry, was born at Fishing Creek, Northumberland county, Pa., in 1788, and
in 1797 the family moved to McHenry Valley, Allegany county, N. Y. In the
war of 1812 he served as first lieutenant in Captain Van Campen's company of
rifles, and died in June, 1841. W. A. McHenry was his youngest son. He lived
in the old homestead until he was 14 years of age, when he went to Milton,
Wis., with his brother, Vincent McHenry. He received a common school
education, and, in 1860, removed to Ogle county, Ill., where he worked on a
farm until the commencement of the civil war. Thrilled with patriotic fire
he volunteered, September 5, 1861, as a private in Company L, Eighth
Illinois cavalry. The regiment was immediately sent to Washington and
attached to the army of the Potomac, participating in all the important
battles in which that army was engaged until January, 1864, when the
regiment was veteranized and transferred to the department at Washington. It
was then made their duty to look after Mosby's band of guerrillas, and the
regiment gained for itself great distinction in hand to hand encounters with
the enemy. During his service Mr. McHenry personally captured eight of the
enemy and had many narrow escapes, but escaped without injury. He was
mustered out of the service as first sergeant, July 23, 1865. He was
previously recommended by Captain Bradley to fill a vacancy of lieutenant in
the company but owing to the close of the war did not receive the
commission. At the close of the war he formed a partnership with his brother
in the real estate business at Denison, Iowa. Emigration rapidly followed
the extension of railroad lines to the Pacific and the firm of McHenry Bros.
did a large and profitable business in the selling of land. Banking was
added and success attended both enterprises.

Cathy Joynt Labath
The Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm


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