WILLIAM WALLACE HENDERSON 



The subject of this sketch was born September nth, 1828, at 

 Sinclairville, of Scotch and English parentage, received such advan- 

 tages as the common and high schools of that period afforded. With 

 developing tastes and tendencies toward philosophical and scientific 

 inquiry he early became a student of medicine under the tutelage 

 of Henry B. Hedges, M. D. In 1847 ^d 1 1848 Mr. Henderson 

 was a student in the Medical Department of the University of 

 Buffalo. He adopted the profession of pharmacy in which he con- 

 tinued for nearly half a century, being the senior partner of the 

 firm of Henderson & Putnam in the city of Jamestown. He has 

 been President of the County Pharmaceutical Association, a mem- 

 ber of the State Pharmaceutical Association and one of the Curators 

 of the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Buffalo. 



Politically he was affiliated with the anti-slavery element of the 

 Whig party and was active in the local organization of the Re- 

 publican party, with which he has continued. His services and 

 counsel have been recognized, often serving as delegate to the State 

 Convention and as member of the State Committee. He was ap- 

 pointed Postmaster at Sinclairville in 1861 under President Lincoln 

 and held that office during four successive administrations. In 1871 

 President Grant appointed him Collector of Internal Revenue for 

 the 31st District of New York, and after its consolidation with the 

 27th District, he was re-appointed its Collector with office at Elmira. 



Mr. Henderson is known as an enthusiastic student in fields of 

 philosophic and historic research. He was the founder of the Chau- 

 tauqua Society of History and Natural Science and from its organi- 

 zation its Secretary and Treasurer. Many papers of interest and 

 value have been contributed by him to its archives. He is a mem- 

 ber of the Oneida Historical Society. 



In all the varied relations of official, business and social life in 

 which Mr. Henderson has been placed he has ever manifested kindli- 

 ness of heart and the urbanity and courtesy of a gentleman. 



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