The Second Fifty Years
1931 - 1981
A collection of references concerning the people of Henderson and Anderson Township gathered for the Centennial of the Town of Henderson
Sources:
Botna Valley News
Mills County Tribune
Glenwood Opinion
Malvern Leader
Nishna Valley News
My Home Town, 1976
Omaha World-Herald
Council Bluffs Nonpareil
THE COMMITTEE:
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Beverly Smith Boileau
Bette Rieken Byers John Paul Neva Yeager Slump Judy Coppock Magers Minnie Gravett Allensworth Art Fritcher |
The second fifty years were ushered in during the Great Depression and the drought of the Thirties. War clouds were again gathering in Europe, Herbert Hoover was ending his term as President and Franklin D. Roosevelt was stepping into the office of Chief Executive. They were hard, desperate times but the people of Henderson held fast and worked their way through. Following is a list of news items and information concerning Henderson the last 50 years -- good and bad times.
1931
Henderson fills a railroad car for shipment to the drought sufferers in Oklahoma, the car being furnished and shipped free of charge by the Burlington R.R. Donations came from Henderson, Macedonia, and Wales, along with $45 raised at a dance in Wales in order to buy flour. The car left containing: 300 bu. corn, 10 bu. wheat, 75 bu. potatoes, 3 cases of eggs, 165 sacks of flour and other miscellaneous items.
1932
School sports are listed as basketball, baseball, and the "even more arduous corn husking."
Henderson grants a 20-year franchise to Iowa-Nebraska Light and Power for electrical service to the town.
George Wilson closes his GWW truck factory due to failing health. Started manufacturing in 1917 and had assembled over 200 trucks and buses. The school buses were used in many of the neighboring communities.
In April, following the quarantine of Supt. Rex Dory for small pox, the entire student body was given vaccinations.
1933
Prohibition was repealed after Henderson had voted 106-43 in favor of "hitting John Barleycorn a death blow" in 1917.
1934-35
The school was vaccinated for scarlet fever.
1936
The Farmer's National Bank closes. The Citizen's Bank becomes the State Savings Bank, a branch of the Council Bluffs bank.
1938
Art Fritcher stocks the first Fireman's Rodeo in order to raise funds for the purchase of a new fire truck.
Henderson had an organized Boy Scout Troop in the late thirties.
1942
The Christian Church burns.
1944
The new Christian Church is dedicated.
1945
60 pupils are out of school with measles.
Henderson celebrates VE Day quietly, with 11:00 a.m. services at the Methodist church. Rev. Felt gives a short talk; the school pupils attend as a body and are in charge of the music. A large crowd attended the May 10 services.
1947
The American Legion Post is reorganized as the Denlinger Post #530, named after WW I casualty, Paul Denlinger.
The Ambitious Andies Girls' 4-H Club is organized.
1948
The American Legion Auxiliary is organized.
A new Dodge fire truck is purchased at a cost of $5500.00.
1949
A new gymnasium and hot lunch room are added to the school.
Henderson fills a railroad car for shipment to the drought sufferers in Oklahoma, the car being furnished and shipped free of charge by the Burlington R.R. Donations came from Henderson, Macedonia, and Wales, along with $45 raised at a dance in Wales in order to buy flour. The car left containing: 300 bu. corn, 10 bu. wheat, 75 bu. potatoes, 3 cases of eggs, 165 sacks of flour and other miscellaneous items.
1932
School sports are listed as basketball, baseball, and the "even more arduous corn husking."
Henderson grants a 20-year franchise to Iowa-Nebraska Light and Power for electrical service to the town.
George Wilson closes his GWW truck factory due to failing health. Started manufacturing in 1917 and had assembled over 200 trucks and buses. The school buses were used in many of the neighboring communities.
In April, following the quarantine of Supt. Rex Dory for small pox, the entire student body was given vaccinations.
1933
Prohibition was repealed after Henderson had voted 106-43 in favor of "hitting John Barleycorn a death blow" in 1917.
1934-35
The school was vaccinated for scarlet fever.
1936
The Farmer's National Bank closes. The Citizen's Bank becomes the State Savings Bank, a branch of the Council Bluffs bank.
1938
Art Fritcher stocks the first Fireman's Rodeo in order to raise funds for the purchase of a new fire truck.
Henderson had an organized Boy Scout Troop in the late thirties.
1942
The Christian Church burns.
1944
The new Christian Church is dedicated.
1945
60 pupils are out of school with measles.
Henderson celebrates VE Day quietly, with 11:00 a.m. services at the Methodist church. Rev. Felt gives a short talk; the school pupils attend as a body and are in charge of the music. A large crowd attended the May 10 services.
1947
The American Legion Post is reorganized as the Denlinger Post #530, named after WW I casualty, Paul Denlinger.
The Ambitious Andies Girls' 4-H Club is organized.
1948
The American Legion Auxiliary is organized.
A new Dodge fire truck is purchased at a cost of $5500.00.
1949
A new gymnasium and hot lunch room are added to the school.
The 1940s were shadowed by the Second World War.
Henderson's list of those who served is indeed impressive.
The list below may not be complete:
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Delmar Alff
Ina Allensworth Keith Allensworth Thomas Aukland Lee Baumbach Charles Bea Robert Beasley Elmer Bergantzel E.N. (Pete) Brown John Broyles Dale Byers Elton Byers Lloyd Byers Clarence Carbaugh Pearl Cary Martin Cole Russell Coppock Merl Core Donald Daniel Lester DeBolt Roy Dickerson Lawrence Dodd Walter Drew Richard Dunblazier Dean Edmondson Doyle Edmondson Joe Edmondson* Waldo Edmondson Louis Farrington Robert Farrington Ward Farrington Jack Fickel Lawrence Fickel Wayne Ford Robert Freeman A.K. Frink Delvin Galloway Elvyn Galloway Jack Gamble Darwin Goss |
Franklin Gravett
Jack Gravett Oscar Haack Morris Harbor William Harbor Virgil Harold Robert Harover Dwayne Harris Howard Henderson Cecil Higgins Donald Hoffman Winona Houser Harold Hughes Luther Hughes William Hughes John Hunt Leonard Hunt Harold Jenkins Aubrey Jones Earl Kadel Clarence Kudron Charles LeRette Herbert LeRette Robert LeRette Clair Mayberry* Stanley McCluskey Glen McGee Edwin McGrew Donald McMullen Gordon McMullen Laird Norton Allen Palmer Donald Parker Dwight Parker Kenneth Parker H.E. Paul Gene Peterson Bill Phillips Carroll Phillips Arthur Pierce* Marvin Pierce |
Cyril Rew
Joe Rold Allan Rowe Charles Rupe Lloyd Russell Lester Ryan William Scherle Rex Shelton LeRoy Shook Joseph Simmonds Maurice Simmonds Roland Simms Charles Smith Estel Smith Don Sowers Fred Sowers Lyle Sowers Robert Sowers Dean Steiner Dean Stephens Robert Stephens James Straight Paul Talkikngton Chester Taylor Donald Taylor Gomer Vinton Taylor Homer Curtis Taylor Carl Timberman George Triplett Thomas Viner Robert Wight Gola B. Wilber Arnold Williams Dale Williams Donald Williams Ira Wilson Donald Wittwer Joseph Wittwer Duane Woods* Robert Wyett |
1951
The State Savings Bank is robbed of $35.00.
1952
A spring flood of the Missouri River took many volunteers from Henderson to Council Bluffs to fill sand bags. Flood waters spread on south of Council Bluffs. Henderson's aid was rewarded by a plaque of appreciation for their help.
1953
Anderson Township raises over $500 for the March of Dimes after several of the local young people are stricken with polio
1954
The Paul-Phillips elevator burns.
Women's Federated Club is organized.
1955
Boys' basketball team makes it as far as sub-state tournament play.
Lion's Club is organized.
1957
Scout Troops are reorganized.
The State Savings Bank is robbed of $35.00.
1952
A spring flood of the Missouri River took many volunteers from Henderson to Council Bluffs to fill sand bags. Flood waters spread on south of Council Bluffs. Henderson's aid was rewarded by a plaque of appreciation for their help.
1953
Anderson Township raises over $500 for the March of Dimes after several of the local young people are stricken with polio
1954
The Paul-Phillips elevator burns.
Women's Federated Club is organized.
1955
Boys' basketball team makes it as far as sub-state tournament play.
Lion's Club is organized.
1957
Scout Troops are reorganized.
The 1950s were also shadowed by war - Korea this time. The following list of those who were in the service at this time may not be complete:
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Bob Allensworth
Dick kAllensworth Elvin Asell Gene Bolton Beverly Byers Bob Byers |
Norman Christensen
Jerry Duysen Stanley Duysen Bruce Forward Gordon Frink Gerald Houser Roger Jackson |
Edward Keast
Columbus Myers Bob Roeder Marty Shroeder Bryan Sowers Bob Taylor |
1960
Reorganization of the school system. Henderson joins Emerson, Hastings and Strahan in forming the Nishna Valley Community School. The Henderson building is opened as one of two elementary centers in the system.
The Henderson Hornets Boys' 4-H Club is organized.
The boys' Little League baseball teams of the early '60s, beginning roughly in 1960 and continuing for 5 or so years, were numerous tournament champs. Their record rivaled that of the men's teams of the early years of the century.
1961
Dial phones are installed and Henderson begins being serviced by the Southwest Iowa Telephone Company.
1962
City water is installed.
1967
State Savings Bank changes its name to State Bank and Trust.
1968-69
The last regular free movies on Saturday night.
Reorganization of the school system. Henderson joins Emerson, Hastings and Strahan in forming the Nishna Valley Community School. The Henderson building is opened as one of two elementary centers in the system.
The Henderson Hornets Boys' 4-H Club is organized.
The boys' Little League baseball teams of the early '60s, beginning roughly in 1960 and continuing for 5 or so years, were numerous tournament champs. Their record rivaled that of the men's teams of the early years of the century.
1961
Dial phones are installed and Henderson begins being serviced by the Southwest Iowa Telephone Company.
1962
City water is installed.
1967
State Savings Bank changes its name to State Bank and Trust.
1968-69
The last regular free movies on Saturday night.
The Viet Nam War continued through the '60s. Once again Henderson served and again the list of those who served may not be complete:
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Al Bergantzel*
Roger Bergantzel Don Duysen Edna Fleming Richard Fleming Don Haack Al Horgdal Ole Horgdal Bob Hughes |
Doug Kadel
George Kudron Mike Kudron Philip Kudron Paul Nyren Craig Palmer Maynard Roberson Don (Buck) Sowers Larry Sowers Richard (Dewey) Sowers |
Steve Talkington
Larry Taylor Mack Taylor Jerry Towne Bob Townsend Bob Wilkinson Randy Wilkinson Doug Williams Mike Williams Pat Williams |
1970
Iowa Power and Light brings natural gas lines to town.
1971
Henderson loses its elementary center when all students start attending classes at the center near Hastings.
1973
Burlington Northern discontinues rail service north from Henderson and the tracks running north from town are removed.
1976
A city sewer system is installed.
Henderson celebrates our Nation's Bicentennial on May 2. The ceremony was held at the new town park on Main Street. Included was the burial of a 50-year time capsule, dedication of the flag pole which had been moved there from the school, the receiving of an American flag and an official Bicentennial flag, and a dinner for over 300 people.
1978
Henderson's only grocery store closes.
Henderson has its last rodeo.
1979
Lloyd "Pat" Patterson is elected to the Iowa Boys' Basketball State Hall of Fame.
1980
The school building is town down leaving the gymnasium and the hot lunch kitchen which is now being maintained by the Little League Association.
Scout Troop is reorganized
1981
Henderson has a full day of activities planned in observance of its Centennial. The Methodist Church also celebrates its Centennial.
Iowa Power and Light brings natural gas lines to town.
1971
Henderson loses its elementary center when all students start attending classes at the center near Hastings.
1973
Burlington Northern discontinues rail service north from Henderson and the tracks running north from town are removed.
1976
A city sewer system is installed.
Henderson celebrates our Nation's Bicentennial on May 2. The ceremony was held at the new town park on Main Street. Included was the burial of a 50-year time capsule, dedication of the flag pole which had been moved there from the school, the receiving of an American flag and an official Bicentennial flag, and a dinner for over 300 people.
1978
Henderson's only grocery store closes.
Henderson has its last rodeo.
1979
Lloyd "Pat" Patterson is elected to the Iowa Boys' Basketball State Hall of Fame.
1980
The school building is town down leaving the gymnasium and the hot lunch kitchen which is now being maintained by the Little League Association.
Scout Troop is reorganized
1981
Henderson has a full day of activities planned in observance of its Centennial. The Methodist Church also celebrates its Centennial.
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A comparison of Henderson's census:
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1880 - 18
1900 - 244 1980 - 237 |
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Henderson's current governing body:
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Mayor: Robert Taylor
City Clerk: Fern Fleming Treasurer: E.N. Brown Council: Jud Wilkinson Glenn Dean (Bud) Brown Bill Darnell Maynard Roberson Curtis Taylor |
Henderson is the home of two very successful politicians:
William H. Harbor:
Currently finishing his 14th year in the Iowa House of Representatives.
He has also served 4 years in the Iowa Senate.
His 5 years as Speaker of the House is an Iowa record.
He has also spent 2 years as Chief Clerk.
William J. Scherle:
6 years in the Iowa House of Representatives;
8 years in the U.S. House of Representatives;
2 1/2 years with the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
Currently finishing his 14th year in the Iowa House of Representatives.
He has also served 4 years in the Iowa Senate.
His 5 years as Speaker of the House is an Iowa record.
He has also spent 2 years as Chief Clerk.
William J. Scherle:
6 years in the Iowa House of Representatives;
8 years in the U.S. House of Representatives;
2 1/2 years with the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
The Henderson Fire Department currently has over 45 members and 2 honorary members. They serve the community with 2 modern trucks and a van for hauling equipment and personnel.
Henderson has had an impressive list of Clubs over the years and has included:
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Anderson Grange
Holmes Reading Circle IOOF - Odd Fellows Rebekah Lodge Woodmen of the World Henderson Gun Club Women's Advance Club, later the Bay View Study Club |
Hay Creek Bachelor's Club
High School Alumni Ass'n Mothers Club American Legion American Legion Auxiliary Baseball Wives, later the Just We Neighbors Club Lion's Club |
Libarary Club
Women's Federated Club Ambitious Andies 4-H Henderson Hornets 4-H Boys Scouts of America Cub Scouts of America Little League Ass'n |
Henderson's economy is deeply rooted in the soil of Iowa. Following is a list of interesting comparisons:
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Iowa Farm Income
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1917: $500.7 million
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1981: $10.42 billion
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State Agricultural Goods Value Rating
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1917: Iowa, Ill., Neb., Texas
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1980: Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Kansas
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Iowa Average Corn Yield
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1895: 15 bu./acre
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1980: 100 bu./acre
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Iowa Average Land Market Value
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1899: $39/acre
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1980: $1,886/acre
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Cattle market
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1917
15.55 - 17.50 13.00 - 15.00 |
1981
106.00 - 106.50 63.50 - 65.00 |
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Hog market
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1917
19.40 - 19.60 |
1981
43.50 - 45.00 |