Rev. William T. Hendren

Hendren Township was originally a part of Eaton Township.  Tioga and later Willard were its principle communities.  When it was set apart, in April, 1911, it was named for this beloved Presbyterian who had previously served congregations in Minnesota for 6 years before relocating to Neillsville, Wisconsin in 1872.  He played a major role in establishing the Presbyterian Churches of Neillsville and Greenwood. 

William T. Hendren died March 20, 1920 and is buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.  His wife, the former Lorinda M. Wright was laid by his side September 4, 1935.  The couple had married October 9, 1866.

The first Presbyterian services held in Neillsville were conducted by a traveling minister of the denomination, who preached in a log house near O'Neill Creek in 1851.  In 1872, Rev. Hendren began preaching and in May, 1873, the Presbyterian Church of Neillsville 3was organized with eleven charter members.  The church worshipped in the old court house until Feb., 1875, when the church building on 5th Street, was dedicated.  The Rev. Hendren was well known, having been the pioneer and founder of this church.  He did a great and faithful work for more than twenty years in and around Neillsville.  The churches of Shortville and Pleasant Ridge were built during his pastorate.  After retiring, he moved to Greenwood enjoying the well won rest he so richly deserved, until the final summons came and he passed to Eternal Rest, March 20, 1920.  He and Lorinda are both buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery as are a son and daughter who passed as infants.
 

Researchers Notes

The 1910 and 1920 US Census reveals that both his and his wife's parents were from Ohio. Not sure that is true., although we know that Lorinda was from Ohio. An 1850 census reveals a William Hendren born 1837 mother Nancy, no father living in Crawford CO, Indiana, states he was born in Colorado. There is an 1850 census in Ohio with Nancy mother and father Hiram who is a protestant minister. Hiram is younger than his wife Nancy who is 42 in this census. She is from Virginia.

Through all of the research on Ancestry Wm. Hendren's European origin was not provided until their daughter Emma had Germany for father but he wasn't Rev. Hendren (see obituary above)..

The community in Neillsville and Greenwood were originally German Settlers which may provide a clue as to his ethnicity, but does not answer the question totally.  George Plautz

*Lizzie was the daughter of David & J. H. (Brooks) Brokaw.

Previous Household was that of Henry W. & Emma Klop.

Next Household was that of Jiles G. & Lucretia Sheldon, their sons, Warren D. and Return J. and daughter, Hulda E.

News Clips

When Neillsville's First Whistle Blew

Neillsville was once more destitute of factory whistles than it is today. It was Thanksgiving night 1868 that the monotony was broken. A story of the occasion is told as follows. Rev. Hendren was a new minister in town at that time. The old grist mill which stool on the banks of O'Neill creek was owned by Chauncy Blakeslee. Joe Biter was an engineer there and Joel Head was chief miller. Mr. Blakeslee had bought a new steam whistle on the sly and was planning on giving the little village a great surprise. It was while Rev. Hendren was closing his service at 10 o'clock Thanksgiving evening at the court house that his congregation and the whole town were astounded by a shrill screech from the neighborhood of the old mill. It was the first steam whistle that many had ever heard and certainly the first in this city. Mr. Blakeslee was at home and said to be in bed. He aroused himself, dressed quickly and ran down to his mill only to find the doors barricaded. The engineer and the miller had played a joke on Blakeslee and had fitted on the whistle to give the town the surprise. Mr. Blakeslee had been anxious to do this himself.

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Wis.) 3-16-1900
 

Elder Hendren will preach in the chapel on Twenty-six road Sunday afternoon.

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Wis.) 8-24-1900

Prof. Oakley and wife from California and Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Youmans came up from Neillsville Thursday and have been the guests of Rev. W. T. Hendren and family. 

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Wis.) 10-12-1900
 

Rev. W. T. Hendren has been attending the sessions of the Synod, which has been in session at Waukesha this last week.