The Hendersons

Henry Clay was the son of George Washington Henderson Sr and Elizabeth Ann Tomlinson Henderson.

Henry was a successful politician and community leader. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1876 and the West Virginia Senate in 1892. He was also president of the Parkersburg National Bank, president of the Williamstown National Bank, and president of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company.

Henry spent two years at Marietta College, then completed his studies at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Upon graduation, he returned to Henderson Hall where he joined his brothers in farming and raising Standard Bred Trotting Horses. Henry was a nationally-known judge of shorthorn cattle and often traveled to judge shows.

He built Woodhaven house on the Henderson Hall property around 1877. Henry and his wife Caroline Virginia Snodgrass Henderson lived at Woodhaven until they moved to Williamstown in 1901. The couple had four children.

Henry had the foresight that the interurban railway was the way of the future to connect towns between Marietta and Parkersburg. Along with a partner, Henry sold land rights for the right of way for the route for $10,000.

A poor business dealing with a partner in an electric railroad enterprise in the east left Henry bankrupt, having to sell all of his property to cover his debts.

Henry suffered a paralytic stroke around 1910 and died 10 years later.