Biography of E. B. Henry - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 75

E. B. Henry. Among the names conspicuous in the pioneer period of
Conway County, is that of James Henry, a native of Tennessee, who came
to Arkansas in 1826, and settled in this county, one year after its
organization. This old pioneer was of historic stock, whose ancestors
were long time citizen of Virginia, and his father was an own cousin
to Patrick Henry. James Henry chose the southern part of the county,
on the shore of a beautiful lake which still bears his name, for
his home. Here he made quite an extensive clearing for that day and
time, and for a long time was one of the county's most progressive
citizens. He was a strong Whig, politically, and a Methodist in
religious belief. He died in 1855. Among his children, there was but
one son, Thomas F., who was reared in this county and at the outbreak
of the war, raised a company for the Confederate army. They
participated in the battle of Elk Horn. In 1862 Mr. Henry was made an
agent for medical supplies for the Confederate government. He died in
February, 1863, soon after a return from Mexico, where he had been on
a business trip connected with his office. Mr. E. B. Henry, the
subject of this sketch, is the only son of Thomas F. and Harriet
(Peel) Henry. Mrs. Henry as well as her husband, was a native of
Arkansas, and they were the parents of but two other children, both
daughters. Our subject was born in Independence County, in November,
1848; was reared in this county, where he attended private schools
till the outbreak of the war. In 1863 he became attached to the
Confederate army as a courier, and after one year enlisted in a
company of Witt's regiment, Dobbins' Brigade, and served mostly in
this State; was with Gen. Price. on his Missouri campaign in 1864; was
captured in this county in February, 1865, and was a prisoner when the
war closed. He then returned to Conway County, and soon engaged in
business at Lewisburg, and also spent some time at school. In 1874, in
the Brooks-Baxter trouble, Conway County, with Pope and Faulkner
Counties, raised a battalion of troops of which Mr. Henry was placed
in command. They proceeded to Little Rock, and on the settlement of
the matter, our subject returned and began the study of law. In 1875,
he was admitted to the bar, and at once began the practice of that
profession, and has continued that pursuit uninterruptedly since. Mr.
Henry has always been an active and consistent advocate of the
principles of the Democratic party. In 1881 he was elected to
represent Conway County, in the lower house of the General Assembly,
and in 1884 was the presidential elector for this Congressional
District. He was married in 1881 to Miss Ruth Barnard, a native of
this State, and a daughter of the Rev. Frank Barnard. To this union
have been born two children: Eugene Barnard (who died May 12, 1890),
and Miriam. In 1888 he engaged in merchandising, forming one of the
firm of Neal, Mitchell & Henry, general merchants of Morrilton, and in
1889. formed his present law partnership with Mr. Brewer, with style
of firm Henry & Brewer. As well as enjoying an extensive practice in
this county, their practice also extends to other counties in this
judicial circuit, and to the Supreme Court of the State. Mr. Henry's
handsome residence erected in 1880, is still one of the most tasty in
Morrilton. The family hold membership and worship at the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Henry is a member of the Knights of Pythias,
Hermion Lodge, No. 28.