Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Hon. Hugh HENDERSON, Joliet; deceased; was born on the 9th day of June, 1809, in Norway, 
Herkimer Co., N. Y.; he received his education at Fairfield Seminary, in his native county; 
after which he read law in the office of George FEETER, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Little 
Falls, Herkimer Co.; in 1836, he came to Joliet, and shortly after his arrival was admitted 
to the bar, and at once took high rank among the members of the legal profession. He was 
married Dec. 23, 1837, to Miss Helen A. MYERS of Herkimer Co., who came to Joliet in the 
fall of 1836, and who still survives him, living in the same house, which he built in 1838. 
In 1837, he was elected County Judge, holding the office one year; he was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention in 1845; in 1849, he was elected Judge of the Eleventh Judicial 
Circuit, and held the office until his death, which occurred on the 19th of October, 1854, 
while on his first visit to his old home in Norway, N. Y. We quote the following from the 
remarks of the late Hon. Uri OSGOOD, on the occasion of presenting to the Circuit Court, 
the proceedings of the Will County Bar, upon the death of Judge HENDERSON:

"By his knowledge of the law, his unremitting attention to the duties of his office, his 
urbanity, his sterling integrity, and accommodating business habits, he acquired the 
affections and respect of the members of the bar, and the people of the circuit; he had 
attained a high position as a lawyer and a judge; he was firm but courteous, honorable 
and irreproachable in morals, and in all the relations of private life; he was respected 
and honored, and highly esteemed as a useful member of society." He left four children - 
Sarah Margaret, who was born Oct. 21, 1839, and is now the wife of Capt. John A. KELLY, 
of Lyons, Mich.; Daniel C., who was born May 31, 1845, learned the printer's trade in 
Joliet, and in 1866, went to Chicago, and entered the employ of Horton & Leonard; in 
1870, he returned to Joliet, and in 1871, established the Joliet Record, a Democratic 
weekly newspaper, which has steadily increased in circulation and influence, and has a 
circulation of 850 copies; James E., the second son, was born May 23, 1848, learned 
the printing business, and is now associated with his brothers on the Record; John D., 
the youngest son, was born Oct. 16,1851, entered the telegraph office of the C., A. & 
St. L. R. R. Co., about ten years ago, remaining until some five years ago, at which 
time he joined his brothers in the publication of the Record.