W. W. Hensley (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

W. W. HENSLEY, farmer, P.O. Longton, was born in Marion County, Ill., in 1834, and lived there and in McCoupin and Pratt Counties until 1861, when he enlisted in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, U. S. Grant, Colonel, serving until September 1863, was captured at Chickamauga in December 1863, and taken to Libby Prison, and from there to Danville, and then took rooms at Andersonville, where he came very near dying.  In September 1864 was transferred to Florence, while there, he and three others, succeeded in making their escape, and managed to elude the bloodhounds which were put on the track.  They had gone 100 miles through the swamp and within a fourth of a mile of the Union lines, when they were again captured and taken back to Forence, but were exchanged in a short time, served as First Corporal of the Colored Guards, until he was promoted Third Sergeant.  After leaving the army, located in Macoupin County, Ill., and in 1869 emigrated to Kansas, reaching Howard County in the fall, and took a claim in Painterhood Township.  The survey was not made and Lawrence was the nearest point, distance seventy-five miles, where supplies could be obtained. There was but one settler in the town before Mr. Hensley.  His claim is on Painterhood Creek and contains 215 acres, has 100 acres under cultivation, twenty-five acres of timber, the whole place is fenced, has planted five acres of orchard, containing a full variety of fruits, and good frame and log house, at the time it was put up, was the best in the township, is raising stock to some extent, attended the first convention held in the county, and at the first election, was elected Justice of the Peace of his township, and held the office ten consecutive terms, also, held the office of Township Clerk one term.  He was married in 1866, to Miss Nancy A. Biggerstaff, of Macoupin County, Ill.  They have nine children -- S. B., Alice C., Rachel, George E., Mary Rosalie, Charlie, and W. T.  He is a member of E. M. Stanton Post, No. 23, G. A. R., Longton Lodge, No 26, A. F. & A.M., and Elk Falls Lodge, No. 616, K. of H.