Alanson Wellington Hendry
The subject of the following sketch was born in Erie county, N.Y. March 22, 1820, and in 1828 removed to Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio and departed this life at his home in Angola, Ind., Sunday evening, Nov. 23, 1902, aged 82 years, 8 months and 1 day. In 1834 he moved with his parents to Carlisle where he attended the public school and assisted his father at blacksmithing. In 1841 he began the study of law in the office of of J.D. Benedict at Elyria. He depended upon his own efforts for his support and education, teaching school and working hard.
Mr. Hendry came to Indiana in 1842, locating at Orland, Steuben county, where he taught school during the winter of 1842 and 1843. He was admitted to the bar and began his profession at Angola, Ind, in August 1844 and continued with marked success until 1865, reaching the head of his profession, trusted by his clients and respected by his brethren and neighbors. He was a moving force in the construction of the Fort Wayne, Jackson and; Saginaw R R. He contributed to its building with money and time and it was largely through his influence that the railroad was built through Angola. He was always interested in all that benefited his town or community and gave liberally to its advancement. He was elected a member of the Indiana State Senate as a Whig in 1852 in the then strong Democratic district of Steuben and DeKalb and re-elected in 1856. In those stirring times he moved to full discharge of his duties, regardless of the threats and flatteries of men. He served with distinction on committees of judiciary, education and elections, and stood unmoved amid the ravings and wrangling of party strife, defying Lieutenant Governor Willard, and foiling his effort to organize a fraudulent Senate.
In his later years he has lived a less strenuous life, but no less active in his charities and public spirit.
His home life has been ideal, with no complaining or reviling on his part. With malice towards none, he has grown weary in his long march, and now rests from his labors, but his works do follow him. A good man has gone, a sweet home life is broken and a faithful wife, who hand in hand down the years, sits amid the scenes of that beautiful past and tries to be comforted. Good bye.
Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon, Nov 25, Prof L.W. Fairfield of the Tri-State Normal college, officiating. Burial in the family vault near Circle Hill.
Steuben Republican - November 26, 1902
