Robert McHenry (rancher)

Robert McHenry (born Robert Henry Brewster;[1] July 23, 1827 – June 24, 1890) was an American rancher, politician, and banker noted for his residence, the McHenry Mansion.

Robert McHenry
Born
Robert Henry Brewster

(1827-07-23)July 23, 1827
Cambridge, Vermont, U.S.
DiedJune 24, 1890(1890-06-24) (aged 62)
Modesto, California, U.S.
OccupationRancher, banker, businessman
Spouse(s)
Matilda Hewitt
(
m. 1859⁠–⁠1890)
ChildrenOramil McHenry

Early life

Born in Cambridge, Lamoille County, Vermont, McHenry was a direct descendant of William Brewster, a Mayflower passenger who later became a leader and preacher in Plymouth Colony.[1] McHenry's father was Leonard Brewster, and his younger brother was Leonard Oramil Brewster.[1] His family moved from Vermont to Ohio in 1833, where he enlisted in the Army but later deserted during the Mexican–American War.[1] In 1859, he married Matilda Margaret Hewitt (1838-1896) of Farmington, California, the daughter of Irishman Samuel Hewitt. Their first and only son, Oramil McHenry, was born in 1861 in the family's Bald Eagle Ranch.[2]

Later life and death

When Modesto, California, was established, McHenry bought property on 15th and I streets there for the purpose of building his new residence which was closer to his work as cashier of the Modesto Bank.[2] The house, called the "McHenry Mansion," was described by local newspapers as one of the finest residences ever built in Modesto at the time.

Robert and Matilda McHenry became prime benefactors of Modesto as they contributed to the construction of the First Presbyterian Church of Modesto and the McHenry Library.

Robert McHenry died of stroke in 1890 in Modesto and is buried in the Acacia Memorial Park in Modesto.

Robert McHenry's son, Oramil, moved into the McHenry Mansion after the death of Robert's wife Matilda. Oramil lived their with his wife, Louise, and their three children, Robert, Albert and Ora Louise. Oramil divorced his wife in 1901. In 1902, Oramil married Myrtie Conneau and they had one child, Merle, in 1903.[3] Merle and his wife, Marcella Bricca had two sons Martin (1932-2013) and Malcolm. Martin C. McHenry McHenry is survived by his wife, Patricia; children Michael, Christopher, Timothy, Jeffrey, Paul, Kevin, William, Monica, Martin C. Jr., and the late Mary Ann; fifteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, James and Audrey.[4]

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References
  1. Jardine, Jeff (September 28, 2013). "Brewster Mansion? Historian finds evidence Robert McHenry really wasn't a McHenry". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013.
  2. Stanley Bare, Colleen (September 7, 2013). "A glimpse of Victorian way of life via the new old McHenry Mansion in Modesto". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013.
  3. "History". The McHenry Mansion. 2011-12-06. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  4. "IDSA News - January 2014". News.idsociety.org. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
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