JACKSONVILLE —
In 1938, J.P. (Uncle Doc) Henderson had been making a good living on his place in Turney, southeast of Jacksonville, since the fall of 1901. And by all accounts was still doing it at 80 years of age when interviewed by a reporter. A grainy image which accompanied the article shows ‘Uncle Doc’ at his plow.
The secret of his success was ‘never go to town without something to sell and never come home without cash in your pocket’. He wasn’t worried about an old age pension, and didn’t want the government inferring with his farm in any way! ‘Uncle Doc’ never borrowed money from a bank; in fact the only money he ever borrowed was from a friend-- $10 to pay for a service fee for a mule colt.
When he married in 1882, he had $45 cash to start a farm but no land. Eventually he owned a 175 acre farm and built a seven room house. He and his second wife reared six children—Luther of Abilene, Robbie of Gallatin, Bruce of Turney, Edwin of Turney, Mrs. May Garner of Dallas, and Mrs. Evie Edwards of Jacksonville.
‘Uncle Doc’ Henderson was proud of the variety of crops he raised—cotton, corn, tomatoes, sugar cane, peanuts and sorghum. He sold syrup and one year realized $120 from the sale of turnip greens alone! He expressed particular pride in the fact that his neighbors thought his crop seed was the best. In the late 1930s, he derived considerable income by selling seed.
He owned three or four automobiles in his life but told the reporter he was through with machine travel; it’s expensive and beside, his team will get him where he needs to go and in plenty of time too!
The information for this article was gleaned from a newspaper article, author unknown, found in The Saga of Cherokee, Book 3, one of Helen Crawford’s scrapbooks of articles.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Lee Roy and Sue Sessions of Ponta check the local weather on the weather station in front of their farm. For more about this farming couple and Cherokee County’s legacy of farming, see Page 8 of today’s Daily Progress. Photo courtesy of Deborah Burkett and the Cherokee County Historical Commission
-
Lee Roy and Sue Sessions, of Ponta, farm seven days a week, 12 months a year and their produce stand is always open for business. Yes, both know how to use the tractor and do! About 10 years ago this hard working couple decided to devote themselves full time to farming. Sue had worked for 20 years as an abstract secretary, for title companies in Rusk and Lee Roy had a trucking business. Now they can be found at their produce stand ready to make sure you get the freshest fruits and vegetables possible. They have several varieties of tomatoes but they grow so much more! Recently, they were selling just-dug new potatoes and onions, and Lee Roy cut fresh cabbage. Photo courtesy of Deborah Burkett, Cherokee County Historical Commission
Discussion
County has legacy of farming
‘Uncle Doc’ Henderson always turned a profit
- Local News
-
-
LMC employees receive furlough notice
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday.
-
JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects
Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.
-
Rusk ISD lunch prices to rise 25 cents
A rise in school lunch prices is among several changes slated for Rusk ISD cafeterias.
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
-
Police seek burglary suspects
The Jacksonville Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying two suspects involved in a local store burglary.
-
Details being worked out to bring new industry
A few details are getting finalized before Freedom Equipment moves its headquarters to Jacksonville, creating job opportunities for residents.
-
Jacksonville ISD to discuss changing graduation requirements
After swearing in two new board members, Jacksonville ISD school board will discuss possibly removing health and technology from the graduation requirements on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, 1541 Pine St.
-
Fake gun nets same charge as real ones
A Jacksonville man who brought a BB Gun to a fight was charged as if the gun was the real thing.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
