┌── William Henshaw
│ 1742-1796
┌── Joshua Henshaw ──┤
│ 1775-1847 │
│ └── Elizabeth Gilbert
│ 1746-1826
Joseph Gilbert Henshaw ───┤
B: 1829 │
D: 1913 │
└── Betsy King
c1785-1862
M: Rebecca Falls
├── John Theodore Henshaw (1861-1919) 1,2,3,4,5,6
└── Joseph Ernest Henshaw (1871-1926) 1,2,3
| Joseph Gilbert Henshaw [ID 04786] | Click here to switch to Ahnentafel view:  |
Born Feb 6 1829, Aurora Township, Erie County, New York.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Christened Jun 6 1830, Presbyterian Church, Griffin Mills, Erie County, New York.10
He married Rebecca Falls, Dec 20 1854, Calhoun County, Michigan.2,11 Rebecca, daughter of John Falls & Mary Ann Mead, was born Mar 15 1836, Concord, Jackson County, Michigan.3,4,5,6,8,9,12,13,14
Joseph and Rebecca were shown in the 1860 census (Jun 17 1860), Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan:8
Joseph and family were shown in the 1870 census (Aug 6 1870), Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan:4
Joseph and family were shown in the 1880 census (Jun 3 1880), Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan:3
A short biography of Joseph Henshaw appeared in a book (published in the 1891):16
Joseph G. Henshaw who is carrying on an extensive and lucrative business in Eckford and Albian Townships as a farmer and stock raiser in partnership with his son John under the firm name of Henshaw and son, is one of the leading and enterprising members of his calling in this part of the county. He is one of a family of pioneers and his success in his work has materially aided in the development of the county and added to its prosperity. Mr. Henshaw is a native of Aurora, Erie County, N.Y., born Feb. 6, 1829. His father, Joshua, who was of English descent, was born in Connecticutte May 7, 1775. He was married July 4, 1801 to Betsy King, a native of New England. In early manhood he went to Erie County, N.Y. and bought a farm there of the Holland Purchase Co. He entered upon the pioneer task of clearing and improving it and retained it in his possession until 1833 when he sold out and removed to Batavia in Genesee Co., that state. He purchased a farm: there on which he remained until 1838, when he sold that place and removed to Darien in the same Co. He made his property over to his sons, Joshua, Jr., and Ira K., and took bond for maintenance of himself and wife. In the fall of 1844 he came to Mich. with his family on board the boat, "Julia Palmer", for Detroit. During their passage they encountered the biggest gale ever known on Lake Erie.
Our subject and his brother Madison made the journey by team, arrived at Detroit in Oct., and there met their parents. From there they went to Ypsilanti by team, staying all winter. Ira died Jan. 5, 1845 at the age of 28 years and 5 months. In the spring of 1845 the family came to Eckford Township and here the parents died, the father Aug. 12, 1847, age, 72, mother Mar. 9, 1862, age 76. Their father's brother was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Their father served in the War of 1812 with Credit. There were 13 children In the family, 7 sons, 6 daughters. All grew to maturity except one daughter, who died at 3 years.
When the family come to this county, our subject's brothers Madison and Joshua, Jr., bought 100 acres of land in Section 24, in partnership. In 1847 our subject bought Joshua's interest in the land. He farmed it in connection with his brother Madison, until 1854, when they divided it and each took 50 acres. Just before he was married he bought 51 3/4 acres of land which was mostly improved. There was a log house on the place, to which he took his bride and lived till 1861 when he built a large handsome frame residence. Later he bought 48 and thn acres on Section 19, Albion Township, which was in wild condition, and improved it. When his eldest son John was 24 he took him into equal partnership. They are still conducting it together. They have purchased 100 acres more on Section 19, Albion Township all of which was improved. They have one of the best farms in the locality and continually make valuable improvements having two commodious barns, large sheep sheds, hog pens, corncribs, windmills, two tanks and three hydrants, so that water is carried to all barns and necessary places.
They are general farmers and stock raisers, having fine specimens of highly graded cattle, hogs and sheep. They have a thorough-bred Durham bull, a Chester white boar, also thorough-bred full blooded ram, all of which are registered. During the War they sold wool for 90 cents a lb., wheat $2.50 a bushel. They are especially interested in the business of dehorning cattle. Among the attractions of the place is a fine orchard.
He was married to Miss Rebecca Falls Dec. 20, 1854 and have two sons, John T. and Joseph E., the latter being a school boy living at home with his parents. John T. married Cora I. Howe and have three children and he works with his father.
Our subject's career in life marks him as a forcible, energetic man, shrewd and far seeing, and one who understands well how to conduct his business to the best advantage. These traits have placed him among the solid men of the township, and he is looked up to by his fellow-citizens as a wise counselor. He is a Republican, having been identified with the party since its inauguration. Before that he was a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for General Taylor in 1852. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for eleven years. He has also been Pathmaster. He and all his family belong to the Free Will Baptist Church and for the past three years has taught the old people's Bible class in Sunday School.
Joseph and family were shown in the 1900 census (Jun 13 1900), Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan:5
Joseph and Rebecca were shown in the 1910 census (May 2-3 1910), living in the household of son John, Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan:6
Rebecca died Apr 27 1910, Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan; buried Plot A01.13, East Eckford Cemetery, Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan.9,12,13
Joseph Gilbert Henshaw died Apr 5 1913, Eckford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan; age 84.9,13,17
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