The Telephone Register, McMinnville, Oregon, Friday, September 16, 1921 - Front page and continued on page 8

ONE OF THE CITY'S PROGRESSIVE CITIZENS PASSES AWAY AFTER TWO YEARS' ILLNESS

George W. Hendershott is an honored veteran of the Civil war, and back of him is an ancestry honorable and distinguished because of loyal service in behalf of the country upon its battlefields. He was born in Lenawee county, Mich., October 5, 1848, the youngest of the four children of George and Mahala (Westcott) Hendershott. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and was a loyal defender of the United States in the Mexican war. He died during the infancy of Mr. Hendershott. His mother also passed away when the youngest son was but five years of age. In the family were three boys and one girl. William, the eldest, was a member of the Fourth regiment of Michigan infantry during the Civil war, was held for seven months in Libby prison and died in Michigan. James served in the Third Michigan cavalry.
Left an orphan at the early age of five years, George W. Hendershott lived with strangers through the period of his youth, receiving a limited education in the district schools, and ample training at farm labor, as he worked in fields and meadows for those with whom he resided. He permanently put aside his text books when fifteen years of age, and in February, 1863, he volunteered for service in the Civil war as a defender of the union cause, becoming a member of Company D., Third Michigan cavalry, which was assigned to the Sixteenth Army corps of the army of the west. He served in Missouri, went on the Banks expedition up the Red river, took part in various engagements in Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana and following the siege of Mobile, assisted in the capture of Fort Blakeley and Spanish fort. He was mustered out at New Orleans, and honorably discharged in the fall of 1865.
Mr. Hendershott then returned to Michigan, and soon afterward began working in the lumber woods of Wisconsin. He also spent three years in the lumber mills of Oshkosh, Wis., after which he went to the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, being employed in mills for five or six years. Going to Omro, Wis., he was there married and purchasing a small tract of land in that locality, there engaged in farming until 1972, (typo error should be 1872) when he went to Russell, Kans., where he conducted a hotel and livery barn, also had a mail and stage route. He was in charge of the mail route for one hundred and fifty miles north of Red Cloud, Nebr., and fifth miles south of Great Bend, Kans. In 1886 he sold his livery business and engaged in the cattle business and his enterprise made him will known in his portion of Kansas, while his capability led to his selection for a number of offices. He served as a member of the city council of Russell, Kans., was marshal for six years, deputy sheriff for four years and in the discharge of his duties was ever found prompt and faithful. A republican in politics, he attended the state conventions and had considerable influence in public affairs.
In 1893 Mr. Hendershott came to Oregon, settling in Stayton, Marion county, where he conducted a hotel for a year, and then went to Turner where he continued in the hotel business until 1895, when he came to McMinnville and was proprietor of the Commercial hotel for fourteen years.
When in Wisconsin, Mr. Hendershott was married to Miss Della A. Wiles. To this union three children were born: James A. of Slayton, Clarence of McMinnville and Mrs. Mabel Garrison of McMinnville. Mrs. Hendershott passed away in 1910.
Mr. Hendershott was a member of the Elks lodge, Masons, and Eastern Star. He belonged to Custer Post G.A.R. of which he was a passed commander. He was a member of the city council for twelve years and has always been active in working for the civic improvement of McMinnville. Owing to his untiring efforts to a great extent, we have our present city park. And now he is often called the "Father of the city park."
Mr. Hendershott died Saturday evening, Sept. 10, 1921, following an illness which lasted nearly two years. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 13, at the Masonic temple in this city. The Knights Templar conducted the services in the Temple and Rev. W.E. Shirey was the minister in charge. A large crowd of friends were present to pay their last respects to a well loved citizen. Many beautiful floral offerings were presented in honor of the departed one. The services at the cemetery were conducted by the Blue lodge and were very impressive. Mrs. T.J. Warren was the soloist , and sang in a beauti-

(Continued on Page Eight) ONE OF CITY'S PROGRESSIVE CITIZENS PASSES AWAY _______ (Continued from Page One) ful way a very fitting selection.

The Pall bearers were J.G. Baker, Frank Wordman, R.B. Peery, B.?. Rhodes, E.C. Apperson and D.E. Wheeler. The honorary pall bearers were, H. Sheard, H.S. Maloney, N.A. Decker, E.H. Ruffner, E. Powell and A.H. Leighton.
Mr. Hendershott was a good man, upright and honorable. He was always respected by all those who knew him. A good man has departed this life and may, "God accept him, Christ receive him," as he goes to his reward.
NOTE: There is another typo error in the first name of his son, who was Jesse A. Hendershott of Stayton.

Donated by Bobbi Harrison at doubleeaglette@juno.com