1914 Biography - James M. Henry

Henry, Rev. James Matthew, son of James and Sophie Elizabeth (Boozer) Henry, was born on his father's farm in South Carolina. His grandfather was also named James. James Henry, the second, was born Jan. 12, 1825, and died in 1893, having passed all his life at the same place in South Carolina. He married Sophie Elizabeth Boozer, born Oct. 12, 1836, and died in 1909, who, like her husband, was also a lifelong resident of the same country. James M. Henry, the third, the subject of this sketch, spent his youth on the farm, where he learned the meaning of hard work. His first schooling was at a private school in the country. At 19 years of age, he entered Newberry college, Newberry, S. C., and after 6 months of sub-freshmen work, started on a regular 4 years course, graduating in 1886 with the degree A. B. He taught school one year, then entered the theological department of Vanderbilt university, where he took two years work. In July, 1889, he came to Louisiana and served as a supply in Thibodaux for 6 months and at Morgan City 1 year. In 1891, he joined the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and has remained a member to the present time. His appointments in this conference, have been the following: City mission at Shreveport, 1 year; Carrolton Ave. New Orleans 3 years; Old Moreau St. Church (now Second Methodist Episcopal church, South), New Orleans, 2 years; Iberia, 3 years; presiding elder Monroe district, 4 years; pastor Algiers church, New Orleans, 1 year. During this year, he took a trip to Palestine and Egypt. Presiding elder again Monroe district, 2 years. Presiding elder Crowley district, 2 years; pastor Baton Rouge, 2 years, and is now closing up his 4th year as presiding elder of the New Orleans district. In college, he was a member of the literary fraternity called the Pi Alpha Epsilon. He did post graduate work for which he received the degree A. M. The degree D. D. was conferred upon him by the Centenary college at Shreveport, while he was located at Baton Rouge. Dr. Henry is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. In 1907, he married Miss Lillian Gibbs, daughter of John E. Gibbs, of Monroe, and they have 2 children, James M., the fourth, and Margaret.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 530-531.