SIGEL HENSON. This gentleman, who is a prominent merchant at Cape Fair, is a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of Stone County, his parents, Zachariah and Armala (Williams) Henson, having settled on Flat Creek, this county, in 1835.
He is a product of this county, born August 20, 1861, but just ten days after the battle of Wilson Creek, and the youngest in an old-fashioned family of twelve children. His youthful days were passed in attending school (taught in the old Jones’ schoolhouse of his district) and assisting on the farm. When sixteen years of age he was left an orphan, his parents both dying the same year, the father in June and the mother in August, 1877. For some time after this he did not attend school, but later he entered Marionville College, where he attended one term, working his own way through the school. Afterward he began clerking in Marionville, where he continued as clerk in the store about six years, then entered a partnership with Mr. David, firm name being Henson & David, which firm remained in business for two years. When Aurora began to build up he sold out, expecting to start in business there, but he gave that up and took a position in that town, remaining there until the death of his wife.
He was married October 23, 1888, to Miss Pelonia E. Lewis, a native of Indiana, born November 22, 1864. August 9, 1891, a daughter, Hortense, was born, and this child died September 26, 1892. Mrs. Henson’s parents, John and E. A. Lewis, were natives of the Hoosier State, who moved a number of years ago to Newton County, Missouri, where they resided until a few years ago, and then came to Aurora. There the mother makes her home at the present time. Mrs. Henson was but six years of age when she came with her parents to Missouri, and in Newton County she received a good education. After growing up she became a teacher and taught in the home school and in the public school of Marionville for two years. She was a lady of amiable disposition, superior attainments and was a very successful teacher, winning the respect of the parents and the love of the pupils. Her second baby was born January 14, 1893, and Mrs. Henson died January 22, of the same year. The child lived until the 9th of July, 1893. It was named Estella N.
After the death of his wife Mr. Henson moved to Cape Fair and, in partnership with George L. Stone, owns a general store, the only one in the town. They are doing a good business and are wide-awake, progressive business men. They also buy corn, grain and stock, and are doing well. Fraternally Mr. Henson is an Odd Fellow, a member of Marionville Lodge, and has held the different offices in the same. In politics he is with the Democratic party and takes a deep interest in its welfare. Mr. Henson’s farm is on the east bank of the James River, about three-fourths of a mile from Cape Fair, and consists of ninety-nine acres of excellent land, all well improved and well cultivated. As a young business man and a public-spirited citizen Mr. Henson has won the respect and good will of all, and in a financial way is making a success of life.