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As a young man, Fox Henderson married Sallie Wilkerson. The couple had three sons, Fox Henderson, Jr., Fred Henderson, and Jake Henderson, and one daughter, Gussie Henderson Jones<ref> Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>.
As a young man, Fox Henderson married Sallie Wilkerson. The couple had three sons, Fox Henderson, Jr., Fred Henderson, and Jake Henderson, and one daughter, Gussie Henderson Jones<ref> Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>.


Fox’s philanthropic pursuits contributed greatly to Troy’s development. He donated land for the Pike County Fair and the Pike Masonic Hospital, the first hospital in Troy, now named Beard Memorial Hospital<ref> Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>. He also built the courthouse in Troy with his business partner Joe Minchener. Though he never expressed any interest in running for political office, he was the chief contributor to his brother Charles Henderson’s successful campaign for governor of Alabama in 1914 <ref>Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>.
Fox’s philanthropic pursuits contributed greatly to Troy’s development. He donated land for the Pike County Fair and the Pike Masonic Hospital, the first hospital in Troy, now named Beard Memorial Hospital<ref> Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>. He also built the courthouse in Troy with his business partner Joe Minchener<ref>Troy 1838-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.</ref>. Though he never expressed any interest in running for political office, he was the chief contributor to his brother Charles Henderson’s successful campaign for governor of Alabama in 1914 <ref>Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.</ref>.


Fox died in 1918 at the age of 65. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy next to his wife, Sallie<ref>Troy 1838-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.</ref>.
Fox died in 1918 at the age of 65. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy next to his wife, Sallie<ref>Troy 1838-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.</ref>.

Revision as of 19:34, 23 April 2008

Fox Henderson, Sr. was a well-respected businessman and banking entrepeneur from Troy, Alabama. He was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 1983.

Early Life

Fox Henderson was born in Pike County, Alabama in 1853, the oldest son of Jeremiah Augustus “Gus” Henderson and Mildred Elizabeth Henderson (nee Hill)[1]. The Henderson family moved to Troy, Alabama in 1869, where Gus Henderson started a successful farm mercantile business. Fox and his brother Jere Clemens “Clem” Henderson joined their father’s prospering business. Though he had no formal business training, Fox Henderson would rise up out of these humble beginnings to build a large business and financial empire in Alabama.

Business Endeavors

In 1881, at the young age of 28, Fox and his brother Clem purchased the Pike County Bank. The Henderson brothers changed the name to Farmers and Merchants (F&M) Bank. For the next 18 years, as the only bank in the area, the bank’s assets grew immensely[2]. In 1903, the bank received a national charter and the name was changed again to Farmers and Merchants National Bank. Fox was president of the bank from its inception until his death in 1918[3].

But banking was not Fox’s only interest. In 1880, Fox became a partner in Minchenor, Henderson & Company, a business that made handles, spokes, and picker sticks. He also co-founded the Troy Fertilizer Company [4] in 1883 with a couple of partners, Alexander St. Claire Tennille and Oliver Cicero Wiley. This venture would become so successful that Fox would buy out his partners in 1902 and merge the fertilizer company with his other venture, Standard Chemical Company[5]. The newly created Standard Chemical and Oil Company, Inc. was the largest plant of its kind in southern Alabama, flourishing under Fox’s supervision. In 1887, Fox saw another opportunity on the horizon when the new Alabama Midland Railroad came to Troy. Fox and his partners formed the Alabama Terminal Improvement Company, a business that was to build and equip the new railroad. In 1890, Fox and his brother Charles Henderson opened Henderson Knitting Mills in 1894. This textile manufacturing enterprise, which was shut down soon after it opened, was one of his only financial failures[6].

Fox was also a cotton merchant and organizer of the unsuccessful Troy Shoe Manufactory[7]. Rising up from his father’s mercantile business, Fox Henderson, a true business tycoon, built lucrative, diversified business ventures that made a lasting impression on Troy.

Turn of the Century

By 1900, Fox Henderson was one of the largest land owners in and around Troy. He established the Arcadia Dairy on his 6,000 acres of land, which imported Jersey cows to supply the city of Troy with fresh milk[8].

In 1911, Fox Henderson’s assets were so vast that he formed a holding company with his sons as partners. Fox Henderson & Sons helped consolidate his extensive holdings for central operation[9].

Offices

In 1911, Fox Henderson, Sr. held the following offices: [10]

• President, First National Bank of Dozier

• President, Bank of Luverne

• President, Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Troy

• President, Henderson National Bank of Huntsville

• President, First National Bank of Brantley

• President, Standard Chemical Company of Troy

• Vice-president, First National Bank of Andalusia

• Vice-president, First National Bank of Brundidge

• Vice-president, Henderson Lumber Company of Sanford

• Vice-president, Planters Trading Company of Elba • Partner, Henderson-Hill of Brantley

• Partner, Cody-Henderson of Luverne

• Partner, Henderson-Black Company of Troy


Because of his substantial business success, Fox Henderson, Sr. was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 1983[11].

Family Life

As a young man, Fox Henderson married Sallie Wilkerson. The couple had three sons, Fox Henderson, Jr., Fred Henderson, and Jake Henderson, and one daughter, Gussie Henderson Jones[12].

Fox’s philanthropic pursuits contributed greatly to Troy’s development. He donated land for the Pike County Fair and the Pike Masonic Hospital, the first hospital in Troy, now named Beard Memorial Hospital[13]. He also built the courthouse in Troy with his business partner Joe Minchener[14]. Though he never expressed any interest in running for political office, he was the chief contributor to his brother Charles Henderson’s successful campaign for governor of Alabama in 1914 [15].

Fox died in 1918 at the age of 65. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy next to his wife, Sallie[16].

References

  1. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  2. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  3. ^ Troy 1836-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.
  4. ^ One Hundred Fifty Years in Pike County Alabama 1821-1971, Farmer, Margaret Pace, 1971.
  5. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  6. ^ One Hundred Fifty Years in Pike County Alabama 1821-1971. Farmer, Margaret Pace.
  7. ^ One Hundred Fifty Years in Pike County Alabama 1821-1971. Farmer, Margaret Pace.
  8. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  9. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  10. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  11. ^ UA C&BA Alabama Business Hall of Fame http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/83FH.html
  12. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  13. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  14. ^ Troy 1838-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.
  15. ^ Trojan Influence. Rice, William J.
  16. ^ Troy 1838-2006. Rice, Bill Sr.
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