Biography

03/24/1833 - 06/27/1883

Elias Jackson McHenry (D24) Columbia, Lycoming, Montour and Sullivan Counties 1880-1882

Early Life: 

Elias Jackson McHenry, born March 24, 1833, Fishing Creek Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; son of Elias and Eleanor “Ellen” Edgar McHenry; common schools education; farmer; miller; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1868; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1874-1877; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate 1878; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate 1881-1882, unsuccessful reelection, 1882; children, Marvin W McHenry, Atta Kaletie McHenry Weaver, Annette Rosena McHenry Zaner, Andrew Jackson McHenry; died, tuberculosis, June 27, 1883, (aged 50) Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; interment, Stillwater Cemetery, Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

Early Career:

Engaged, farmer; engaged, miller. 

From Pennsylvania Cavalcade, “The Third Day at Gettysburg: The Fishing Creek Confederacy of Columbia County”: Note: indicates that McHenry was rounded up as a draft resistor and obstructionist member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. He was almost immediately exonerated.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1868. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1874-1877; not a candidate for reelection, 1878.

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate 1878.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 24th district, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan Counties 1881-1882, vacancy, death, Senator George D. Jackson; committee assignments, Canals and Inland Navigation, Constitutional Reform and Corporations; unsuccessful reelection, 1882. 

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1881). Smull, W.P., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 673, 680-682, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 645

Elias Jackson McHenry (1833-1883) - Find a Grave Memorial