Henderson, William Mitchell

Obt,Titusville Newspaper,Titusville,Crawford Co, Pennsylvania May 1900
DEATH OF A PIONEER
William M. Henderson Passes Away
The venerable William M. Henderson, one of the pioneers of Crawford county and for many years a resident of this city, died at 1 o'clock Monday morning at his home on North Washington street.
William M. Henderson was the son of Samuel Henderson, who with his father and brothers came from near Harrisburg to Crawford county in 1803. The subject of this sketch was born in 1816, two miles from Titusville. Upon attaining manhood he engaged in the lumber business in which he continued until 1859. In the early 60's he became identified with the oil industry, and during the war was in the revenue service for the government. In politics Mr.Henderson was an ardent Republican and cast the first Republican vote and the only one at that election in Oil Creek township. About 1868 he removed his family to Titusville and shortly afterward was elected a member of the schoolboard, serving in that capacity for a number of years. It is related of deceased that during his term of office the school board, becoming temporarily embarrassed, he advanced it the sum necessary for the carrying on of the school work. In 1877 he was appointed city treasurer by the councils and when the charter was changed was elected to the position, serving until 1880. He also served the Second ward in the common council from 1881 to 1885 when he retired from active work. Mr. Henderson was a man of sterling worth, a power for good in his day in the community in which he lived. Besides his children, Mrs. Frederick Feezer, of Greeley, Col.; John M. Henderson, Milton and Lee Henderson, of Sterling, Col.; deceased is survived by one brother, Joseph C.Henderson, of Oil Creek township; two sisters, Mrs. David White, Forestville, N.Y., and Mrs. Sarah Andre of near Pleasantville.
His daughter; Dr. Ida Henderson, preceded him to the grave five years ago and his wife three years ago.
Funeral services over the remains of the late William M. Henderson were held at the residence, No.62 North Washington street Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends. The Rev.Charles L. Shipman, of Girard, the venerable friend of the deceased, and the Rev. Samuel Semple, of the First Presbyterian church of this city, officiated and delivered impressive addresses. The remains were later interred in the family plot in Woodlawn cemetery, and the following gentlemen assisted as bearers: Messers. Joseph Smith, J.H. Cogswell, W.J. Booth, William Robinson, W.P. McCutchen and U.C. Welton.

__________________________
Thank you.
Diana