Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

WILLIAM LEONARD HENSON

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


 
Among the active and practical vineyardists of the Tierra Buena section of 
Sutter County is William Leonard Henson, who has met with unquestioned success 
in this line.  His home place embraces ten acres of highly developed orchard and 
vineyard; a five-acre place near Tierra Buena is also in orchard and vineyard; 
and he is also the joint owner of twenty-nine acres of Thompson Seedless grapes 
and walnut trees, now thirteen years old, located a mile west of his home place. 
 His birth occurred in Polk County, Mo., December 17, 1880; and he is the second 
of twelve children, seven of whom are living, Mr. Henson being the only one 
living on the Pacific Coast.  His parents were John Wesley and Parthena 
(Russell) Henson, natives of Missouri, who followed farming and reared their 
family in Polk County.  The father passed on; but the mother is still living, 
the center of a large circle of devoted friends.
William Leonard Henson received his education in the public schools, and from a 
youth aided his parents on the farm, thus early acquiring those habits of 
industry and thrift which are the foundation of a successful career.
In the old home neighborhood, on October 22, 1905, Mr. Henson was united in 
marriage with Miss Etta Gallivan, also a native of Poke County, the fourth of a 
family of six children born to Daniel and Margaret (Hayden) Gallivan, who were 
also born there and followed farming for a livelihood.  Almost immediately after 
their marriage, the young couple came to California, locating in Sutter County 
and purchasing a ranch in the Lincoln school district.  Here they built a 
residence and engaged in farming.  During this period he also spent some time as 
a wood worker in the Ashley Ladder Factory.  Selling his ranch, in 1911, Mr. 
Henson purchased his present ten acres, which he immediately set to orchard, and 
later on purchased his other orchards enumerated above.  Mr. and Mrs. Henson 
have been blessed with three children: Mildred, Velma, and Lloyd.  Mr. Henson is 
an enterprising and energetic man, and his efforts have won for him a 
well-deserved success.  In this he has been aided by his wife, who has 
encouraged and assisted him to gain his ambition.  Mrs. Henson is active in 
civic and social circles and is a member of the Tierra Buena Woman�s Improvement 
Club.  Since 1912 Mr. Henson has been a member of the Woodmen of the World at 
Yuba City.  He is a member of the Tierra Buena Center of the Farm Bureau of 
Sutter County, and for the past three years has been a member of the Associated 
Raisin Growers� Association of California.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 1058