Henderson State University - Star Yearbook (Arkadelphia, AR)

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.ei ,.4 J. -. . . 5- I 5271 S, ,.-xp, .. V ,, +A.. 3, , -'Q H' r ,-V J. 5 ' . ' ?'il3 ' .--x N . X. 4 5. lx V .1 ,ah 1 14 -, :v '., N, I. - wa if CHARLES CHRISTOPHER HENDERSON 1850-1923 Namesake of the University

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COLLEGE BUSINESS CARD - 1890

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Henderson State University is named for Charles Christopher Henderson, who was a prominent Arkadel- phia resident and noted Arkansas financial and civic leader. Henderson was appointed to the Board of Trus- tees in 1891, a position he held for nearly thirty-two years until his death in 1923. In 1903 the Trustees elected him Chairman of the Board, and in 1904, they changed the name of the institution from Arkadelphia Methodist Col- legeto Henderson College in recognition of his impact on and his financial contributions to the college. Captain Henderson, as he was affectionately called, was born in 1859, the third of eight children. A self-made man, without the advantage of a formal advanced education, he progressed through stages of commercial prestige until he was a well recognized financier. For a time he operated a dairy, then he was a cotton broker. His real success began, however, when he entered the lumber and sawmilling business, which led to railroading and banking interests. He was associated with ten railroads, and in 1905, one year after the college came to bear his name, he was elected president of the Elk Horn Bank. He was an active member of the Republican Party and the Methodist church. His civic interests were manifested in many charitable enterprises, Henderson's imprint on the University is great, and he is properly referred to as The Savior of the College, for its very survival is a credit to this extraordinary man who gave years of loyal service and tens of thousands of dol- lars to secure its future. The only state-supported institu- tion of higher education in Arkansas named for an indi- vidual, Henderson State University proudly carries the name of Charles Christopher Henderson. HENDERSON MANSION tpictured belowl was erected in the year 1880 and enlarged to its present ap- pearance in 1906. Captain Henderson oversaw its con- struction andthe Henderson family occupied the manor until 1913, when he moved to San Antonio, Texas, to operate some banking interest. ln 1917, the Stone family bought the estate and occupied the mansion, which is located on the corner of Tenth and Henderson Streets, until 1978. sr-L -,-sf. .,, ,J .. AWJLM.--.-.....r Captain Hendersonfli