Mr. Henry is identified with the financial, commercial and social life of
Richland county, having succeeded in building up a prosperous banking
business. He has been entrusted by his fellow citizens with the office of
Mayor of Noble, Illinois, and during his term performed the duties of office
with dignity and credit. He has been returned as Supervisor of Noble
township at two succeeding elections. And this is but a chapter from the
life of a man of thirty-five years of age.
John O. Henry is the son
of Mason and Lucy Henry. On his father's side he comes of sturdy Irish
pioneer stock, his grandfather's parents being natives of Cork county,
Ireland. His father, a native of Illinois, removed to Lawrenceburg,
Missouri, and there, in 1845, Mr. Henry was born. In his sixth year he came
with his family to Noble, Illinois, which has been his home ever since, and
where in company with his four brothers and two sisters he laid the
foundation of his education. Upon leaving school he entered business life
where his strenuous efforts and affable manner soon brought him to the
forefront.
The year 1902 marked an important epoch in the life of
Mr. Henry. In that year he married Bessie Shannon, prominent in Noble
society circles, whose father, William Shannon, had the distinction of
serving his country all through the Civil war.
In addition to
directing the affairs of an ever-growing banking business, Mr. Henry is
active as a stock buyer. He is reputed to be an excellent judge of stock,
and it is said he pays a good price for anything he fancies.
As a
public man, Mr. Henry is thoroughly clean and conscientious. He has a sane
conception of public interests; never allows himself to be swayed by
prejudice or party feelings; and is an alert student of the needs of the
day. He is broad-minded and tolerant, and the many occasions he has had
during his public career to display his public spirit have indelibly marked
him as a most desirable citizen. His integrity and practical common sense
combine to give him a high place in a community where he is most popular. He
has a praiseworthy ambition to be of further service to his town and county,
and many prophesy for him a higher place in public life than he has
heretofore attained.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Henry are prominent members
of the Methodist Episcopal church and lead a happy domestic life.
Extracted 21 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 477-478.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
