Charles Henderson
Encyclopedia
Charles Henderson was the 35th Governor of Alabama
from 1915 to 1919 and a member of the Democratic Party. Before serving as governor, Henderson was mayor of Troy, Alabama
from 1886 to 1906 and played a key role in Troy’s business and civic development. After his term as governor, Henderson remained active in the community. In 1937, after a bout with influenza, Henderson suffered a stroke and died at age 76. The public high school in Troy bears his name.
. Charles was the third son of Jeremiah Augustus "Gus" Henderson and Mildred Hill Henderson. Charles Henderson’s keen business sense developed in childhood while helping out with his father’s successful mercantile business in Troy. At age 15, Henderson enrolled in Howard College
in Marion, Alabama
. Two years later his father died unexpectedly, and Henderson left school to help run the family business in Troy.
In 1886, Henderson made his first successful run for mayor at age 26, defeating James Folmar. During his terms as mayor, Henderson continued his involvement in Troy’s business and community development:
• In 1887, Henderson helped establish Troy State Normal School (now Troy University
) to train teachers for Alabama public schools. While serving on the Normal School’s board of directors, Henderson met his wife, Laura Montgomery Henderson, when she was hired to teach at the school.
• In 1891, Henderson brought electricity to Troy. Henderson helped the city form an electric company, the Troy Utility Department, to produce and sell its own power. Laura Montgomery Henderson threw the switch at 8:10 pm on May 7, 1891.
• In 1904, Henderson brought the telephone to Troy and southern Alabama with the formation of the Standard Telephone and Telegraph Company.
• In 1906, with his brother Clem Henderson, Charles organized the Troy Bank and Trust Company; both men also served on the Board of Directors of Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Troy.
In addition, Henderson served on the Board of Directors for the Standard Chemical and Oil Company, the Alabama Warehouse Company, and the Troy Compress Company. During this time, Henderson also served as Inspector General for Governor William Samford and aide-de-camp for Governor William Jelks.
Henderson resigned as mayor in 1906, after being appointed president of the Alabama Railroad Commission. He held this position until 1912.
law. Henderson was personally opposed to prohibition, and vetoed a law against alcohol advertising
. Legislature ignored his veto and passed the law anyway; in 1915, legislature went a step further and banned the sale of whiskey in Alabama. Henderson again vetoed this law and was overruled. Despite his personal disagreement with them, Henderson upheld and enforced both of these laws.
Henderson was instrumental in establishing a state child welfare department, a workmen’s compensation program, and new health laws to control the spread of preventable diseases. He additionally helped improve the state prison system and adopted several educational reforms. Henderson’s strong business sense influenced his years as governor, earning him the nickname “The Business Governor.”
Charles Henderson left office January 20, 1919. He never returned to politics, focusing instead on various business and community involvements, including serving as President of the Troy School Board and as a Trustee of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
).
Money from Henderson’s trust has been used to fund Charles Henderson High School
, Charles Henderson Middle School, and The Charles Henderson Child Health Care Center.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
from 1915 to 1919 and a member of the Democratic Party. Before serving as governor, Henderson was mayor of Troy, Alabama
Troy, Alabama
Troy is a city in Pike County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,003. Troy experienced a growth spurt of over 4,000+ people since 2000. The city is the county seat of Pike County....
from 1886 to 1906 and played a key role in Troy’s business and civic development. After his term as governor, Henderson remained active in the community. In 1937, after a bout with influenza, Henderson suffered a stroke and died at age 76. The public high school in Troy bears his name.
Early life
Charles Henderson was born on April 26, 1860 in Pike County, AlabamaPike County, Alabama
Pike County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General Zebulon Pike, of New Jersey, an explorer who led an expedition to southern Colorado and discovered Pikes Peak in 1806. As of 2010 the population was 32,899. Its county seat is Troy.- History :In 1819 the State...
. Charles was the third son of Jeremiah Augustus "Gus" Henderson and Mildred Hill Henderson. Charles Henderson’s keen business sense developed in childhood while helping out with his father’s successful mercantile business in Troy. At age 15, Henderson enrolled in Howard College
Howard College
Howard College is a community college with its main campus in Big Spring, Texas and branch campuses in San Angelo and Lamesa....
in Marion, Alabama
Marion, Alabama
Marion is the county seat of Perry County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,511. First called Muckle Ridge, the city was renamed after a hero of the American Revolution, Francis Marion.-Geography:...
. Two years later his father died unexpectedly, and Henderson left school to help run the family business in Troy.
Business and Political Leadership
After his return to Troy, Henderson quickly gained a reputation as a businessman and a community leader. In addition to helping with the family business, Henderson founded Troy’s first wholesale grocery company, helped form the Alabama Midland Railroad Company, and owned a cotton-buying firm.In 1886, Henderson made his first successful run for mayor at age 26, defeating James Folmar. During his terms as mayor, Henderson continued his involvement in Troy’s business and community development:
• In 1887, Henderson helped establish Troy State Normal School (now Troy University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
) to train teachers for Alabama public schools. While serving on the Normal School’s board of directors, Henderson met his wife, Laura Montgomery Henderson, when she was hired to teach at the school.
• In 1891, Henderson brought electricity to Troy. Henderson helped the city form an electric company, the Troy Utility Department, to produce and sell its own power. Laura Montgomery Henderson threw the switch at 8:10 pm on May 7, 1891.
• In 1904, Henderson brought the telephone to Troy and southern Alabama with the formation of the Standard Telephone and Telegraph Company.
• In 1906, with his brother Clem Henderson, Charles organized the Troy Bank and Trust Company; both men also served on the Board of Directors of Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Troy.
In addition, Henderson served on the Board of Directors for the Standard Chemical and Oil Company, the Alabama Warehouse Company, and the Troy Compress Company. During this time, Henderson also served as Inspector General for Governor William Samford and aide-de-camp for Governor William Jelks.
Henderson resigned as mayor in 1906, after being appointed president of the Alabama Railroad Commission. He held this position until 1912.
“The Business Governor”
At age 54, Charles Henderson was elected Governor of Alabama. He was sworn into office on January 18, 1915. During his term, the state legislature passed a tax revision law, a primary election law, and a prohibitionProhibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
law. Henderson was personally opposed to prohibition, and vetoed a law against alcohol advertising
Alcohol advertising
Alcohol advertising is the promotion of alcoholic beverages by alcohol producers through a variety of media. Along with tobacco advertising, it is one of the most highly-regulated forms of marketing...
. Legislature ignored his veto and passed the law anyway; in 1915, legislature went a step further and banned the sale of whiskey in Alabama. Henderson again vetoed this law and was overruled. Despite his personal disagreement with them, Henderson upheld and enforced both of these laws.
Henderson was instrumental in establishing a state child welfare department, a workmen’s compensation program, and new health laws to control the spread of preventable diseases. He additionally helped improve the state prison system and adopted several educational reforms. Henderson’s strong business sense influenced his years as governor, earning him the nickname “The Business Governor.”
Charles Henderson left office January 20, 1919. He never returned to politics, focusing instead on various business and community involvements, including serving as President of the Troy School Board and as a Trustee of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
).
A Legacy of Philanthropy
Charles Henderson died in January 1937 after suffering a stroke. He and his wife had no children. Henderson left some of his considerable estate to family members, but most of his money was used to establish a perpetual trust to fund education and healthcare in Troy. The fund, established through the Troy Bank & Trust Company, was to be used for the construction of new schools and to start a charity hospital for children in Troy.Money from Henderson’s trust has been used to fund Charles Henderson High School
Charles Henderson High School
Charles Henderson High School is a grades 9-12 high school located in the city of Troy, Alabama. The namesake of the school, Charles Henderson, was the governor of the state of Alabama from 1915-1919...
, Charles Henderson Middle School, and The Charles Henderson Child Health Care Center.
Other honors
- On May 1, 1943, the US liberty shipLiberty shipLiberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
USS Charles Henderson was christened in New Orleans, Louisiana. - On January 10, 1939, an armory in Troy was named Fort Charles Henderson. The armory’s marker included an inscription that described Henderson as a “statesman, industrialist, and a philanthropist.”
- Charles Henderson was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 1975.
- Liberty ship SS Charles Henderson
- Master Mason of Troy Lodge No. 56 of Free and Accepted Masons