Col. David B. Henderson grew up in Henderson Prairie, a couple of miles west of Postville. He was a Civil War Hero and lost a leg from a severe wound during the long and bitter war. He was wounded twice, in the neck and left leg. The leg had to be amputated above the ankle in 1863, and further amputations had to be done in later years. He became the only Iowan ever elected as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He was re-elected Speaker in 1901, but retired from politics in 1903. He was a close friend of ex-Governor of Iowa, Wm. Larrabee. Governor Larrabee erected a fine monument in honor of his good friend. Both D.B. Henderson and John R. Mott attended Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa. He died in Dubuque, Iowa in 1906.

In His Own Words

In the year 1879 the following article written by D.B. Henderson appeared in the Postville Review:

Unfortunately, I was wounded a second time at the Batle of Corinth. My left foot was shattered. My foot was removed at the ankle in a field hospital. I was discharged from the Army in 1863. I made my way home, traveling by way of Tennessee, Ohio and Mississioppi rivers to McGregor. I took a stage coach to Postville.
I arrived at my parents farm with infecton in my leg. Father sent for Doctor Lewis, who came to the farm at once. The Doctor had recently returned from active service and was familiar with battlefield wounds. He told me that I had gangrene and that I would die if he did not do another amputation. I agreed to the operation. Doctor Lewis used the kitchen table as an operating table. Father gave me the ether and the doctor removed a small part of my lower leg. The gangrene did not reoccur and eventually my stub healed. I learned to walk on an artificial foot, with the aid of two canes.

Young David Henderson

One of the stories in the Postville Review told about young David Henderson:

When he was a little chap not more than 10 years of age his mother was in the habit of sending him to the market in Postville to dispose of the smaller products of the farm. David never brought back an ounce of butter or an egg.

One day there was a glut in the egg market and the little merchant found it harder than usual to dispose of his wares, one man taking advantage of the fact, to try the haggling process upon him. "No sir," said Davie in a ringing voice,"these eggs are fresh sir, every one of them, for I gathered them myself as soon as the hen cackled. They are worth every cent of it, and nobody will get them for less."

"But," said the man, "you will not sell them at all unless you come down a little, for the town is full of eggs."

"Not such as mine," cried Davie, in a tone of the profoundest conviction, "and I will sell them too, and I will do it if it takes all night."

The man finally took every one of the eggs, and paid the boy his price.

The Year 1897. Another Amputation.

Congressman David B. Henderson, of Dubuque, who must submit to the operation of amputation of the leg at the knee, has been one of the most prominent men in Congress for the past 14 years, notwithstanding the disability occasioned by an old wound received in battle. Mr. Henderson was living on an Iowa farm when the war broke out. He was just 21 and enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Iowa volunteers. He became a lieutenant in that regiment. In 1863 he received a wound below the knee. The leg was cut off at the wound, but it never quite healed. Yet he returned to the army in 1864 and came out of it as a colonel. He used an artificial leg and has always suffered from the wound he got in the army. His strong constitution has carried him through, but now a new operation is necessary, which will, it is hoped, cure the trouble. Even with only one good leg, he is better than ninety-nine per cent of the other men in Congress. Hurrah for Henderson!

The Year 1899 - Postville Review

Having some days ago written a letter to our friend Col. Henderson congratulating him on his success in the speakership of the house campaign, we received a kind response, which we would like to publish, but fearing that by so doing we should violate confidence we refrain from so doing.

The cheering intelligence came on Wednesday that Sherman had withdrawn and that the New York delegation had tendered its vote to Col. Henderson.

All hail to Col. Henderson, the Henderson Prairie boy of forty years ago. The nation rejoices with us.

The Year 1900
Postville Review, Editor Burdick writes:

Our good friend, Speaker of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Dave Henderson has received another addition to his ample supply of gavels, but this has a peculiar value and interest because of its personal and family associations. It was sent by a cousin of the speaker, who at such pains, secured a limb of a vernerable burr oak tree standing on what is known as Henderson Prairie, where the speaker grew up on his father's farm. The prairie took its name from the Hendersn's who settled there in the early days of the northwest. It was not too long ago that our Postville bully baseball boys gave him a "willow walkin; stick."

--
We always like to say a good word for our good friend, Col. D.B. Henderson. We have always considered him one of the greatest men in Iowa. Iowa has no man who stands higher in the affection of the state, or is stronger in the service. The Union soldiers of the country recognize in him one of their strongest champions and defenders. His many friends here at his old home rejoice that the good Col. can run so well even if he has but one natural foot to run on. Hurrah for Henderson!!

The Year 1901
Postville Review

Through the influence of Col. Henderson, Carnegie has donated $25,000 to the Upper Iowa University at Fayette for a fine library building, which will be erected on the College campus as soon as possible. It is hard to say whether the fine Fayetters regard Carnegie or Speaker of the House Henderson with the most gratitude.

--
A mysterious burglary took place in our Speaker of the House Dave Henderson's room at the Capital the other day, the door being broken open and the place ransacked. Sor far as known, nothing is missing. It is the theory of the Washington police that the thief was after valuable papers, but it is believed that he failed to secure them.

--
Speaker Dave Henderson of the House of Representatives is at present the guest of Andrew Carnegie in Scotland. He will return to this country in the early fall. Our good friend the Col. gets around.

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Speaker David B. Henderson had an audience with King Edward and expressed great admiration for the English sovereign.

--
Mrs. Barbara Kerr, of Postville, the sister of Col. D.B. Henderson, had the misfortune of losing her best cow last Tuesday. It was all right in the morning and found dead in the evening.

The Year 1902
Postville Review

Col. D.B. Henderson has donated his entire library, a carload of volumes to the D.B. Henderson library erected the past season on the Upper Iowa University grounds at Fayette from funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, and dedicated Tuesday.

--
The declination of Speaker D.B. Henderson to accept the eleventh unanimous nomination for congress in the Third District, is the political surprise of the century, regretted alike by the state and nation.

The Year 1904
...he returned back to his old home in Dubuque:

The many friends of Col. D.B. Henderson will be pleased to know that he will return to his old home in Dubuque, leaving New York, where he has been since leaving congress. It is understood that Mr. Henderson will resume the practice of law and is desirous of being among old friends, being willing to give up a lucrative law business in New York that he may live in his old home. He has been troubled much of late with his limb, which was operated on a few years ago. The colonel is also afraid of accidents in the busy streets of New York, as the trouble in his limb makes it very difficult for him to get around in safety. We look forward to seeing our good friend dandy Dave when he visits his relatives and friends in and around Postville.

David B. Henderson, Here.
Postville Review, Burt Tuttle, Editor:

Colonel D.B. Henderson arrived in Postville Wednesday morning on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Barbara Kerr, who despite the 80 years that have passed over her head and turned the tresses that once were golden to the snowy locks that add honor to age, is still hale and hearty, "well and willing" to welcome "Brother David" to her heart and home. In fact all Postville is ever glad to do homage and honor to the man who to them is as dear, as a private citizen, as when clothed in high official honor. And today we welcome back to his boyhood home, the gallant soldier, proud statesman and honored citizen -- David B. Henderson.

The Col. has but recently returned from New York to Dubuque, to make his home permanently among his old friends in Iowa, and comes to Postville to enjoy a much needed rest, after which he will return to his home in Dubuque.

Yesterday afternoon out on the beautiful Henderson Prairie, a little southwest of Postville, at the home of his nephew, Charles Kerr, the Colonel, surrounded by fifty of his kith and kin, enjoyed a splendid picnic dinner in the copious fir tree shade on the well kept lawn. The afternoon hours were pleasantly passed with songs, story telling, games and races, into which the Colonel entered with his usual heartiness and vigor. And we will opine it will be many a day ere the gallant "Dave" forgets this pleasant day spent on the rolling prairie which bears his name, every spot of which to him is hallowed ground, 'round which clusters tender memories of his boyhood days.

The Year 1906
... this headline from Dubuque told the story:

Col. David B. Henderson is Dead!

He died in Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. Mr. Henderson lapsed into a deep stupor in the early morning and did not arouse from it, passing into the eternal sleep without gaining consciousness. The long nights vigil was felt by those about the dying man to be the last. The heart beats were fainter than during the preceding day. That fleeting rational moments were vouchsafed, the speaker seems evident from his occasional whispering of the word, "Mamma," his term of endearment for his wife. Throughout the morning and until deaths visitation, those present at the bedside knelt in prayer and so spent the hours heavy with their tragedy.

"Death palsies the arm of the warrier and his shield drops from his nerveless grasp; and stills the tongue of the orator and the forum is silent."

The final battle in the career of David B. Henderson has been fought; the eloquence with which he moved thousands will be heard no more.

Postville Review Editor Bert Tuttle commented upon the death of Col. Henderson:

Doubtless no community outside of Dubuque was more touched by the sad death of our friend, Col. D.B. Henderson, than was Postville, and doubtless no other place save the one was to David's heart more dear. For two miles southwest of here lies the Henderson Prairie homestead where his youth and early manhood days were spent, the farm now being occupied by his nephew, Charles Kerr. Here in Postville lives his sister, Mrs. Barbara Kerr, one of the kindliest and noblest of christian women, whom David dearly loved, and by her was he loved in return. Funeral was held in Dubuque with high military honors. Farewell, old friend.

- published on the Allamakee co. IAGenWeb with the generous permission of Stan Schroeder
- original transcripts provided by Stan Schroeder & transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall

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