C W Henderson owned and operated a trading post on the banks of the Washita river with his wife Louisa Colbert Henderson. When Gene Autry was established CW owned and operated the bank in Gene Autry with over $25,000.00 in assets. He was also on the Gene Autry town council.

Added by Doug Williams
Thanks to Doug for the transfer of Charles's memorial on January 28, 2015.
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Charles's parents were:
Louis Henderson 1815 – 1845
Abbie Hamilton 1811 – 1894

During the Civil War Charles, often known as Charlie, enlisted on the side the Confederacy, serving in the 11th Missouri Infantry, in the 2nd Brigade of General Price.

Around 1871 Charles & his brother, Robert, moved to Claremore, I.T. with their mother and shortly afterwards moved with her to Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation.

Charles was 32 years old when he married Louisa (Colbert) Humes, a Chickasaw Indian, on Aug. 19, 1877. Louisa was the daughter of Van & Elsie Colbert.

They settled in the Washita River area where he called his land Henderson Flats. Charles built the first store in the area just north of the old Washita River bridge, which was the beginning of the town of "Lou," named in honor of his wife.

Louisa later requested that the name be changed, and it was named Dresden. In 1887 the town site was moved south to the present location of Gene Autry when the railroad came through. The railroad engineers gave Charles a list of potential town names from Pennsylvania and he chose Berwyn. In Berwyn Charles built the first mercantile store; he was president of the First National Bank and continued as a stock raiser.

His mother was 84 years old when she died in Berwyn in 1894.

Charles & Louisa's children were:
Lena Thelma
Elsie Louisa 1878 – 1972
Charles Colbert 1882 – 1959
Grover C. 1885 – 1900
John Thomas 1894 – 1958
Addie Ruth 1897 – 1906
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John Mulkey was Charley's son-in-law.
Berwyn
"John Mulkey and C.W. Henderson came near being drowned in Big Branch, one-half mile east of here yesterday by their horses refusing to swim. They rode into the stream, thinking their horses could easily swim across, but the animals refused to swim, when they struck the deep water and their riders were forced to jump into the deep current and swim ashore. The horses reached the bank further down the stream."
The Daily Ardmoreite
Saturday, July 4, 1903

Berwyn
"Mrs. C.W. Henderson, who has been sick for some time, is reported as being better today."
The Daily Ardmoreite
Monday, August 24, 1903

Berwyn
"Mrs. C.W. Henderson, who has been very low sometime, is still in a critical condition."
The Daily Ardmoreite
Sunday, July 17, 1904

Berwyn
"Mrs. C.W. Henderson is very ill."
The Daily Ardmoreite
Tuesday, October 11, 1904

Springer
"Mrs. Frances Brown left yesterday for Berwyn to attend the funeral of her sister, Mrs. C.W. Henderson."
The Daily Ardmoreite
Wednesday, October 12, 1904

Louisa died on Oct 11, 1904.
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The Daily Ardmoreite
Tuesday, November 19, 1912

"Sudden Death C.W. Henderson
An old Time and Wealthy Citizen Died of Heart Failure at Berwyn Today.

C.W. Henderson, one of the best known business men and farmers of Oklahoma, died at his home in Berwyn, this (Tuesday) morning at 9 o'clock. He had been ill for several weeks, but seemed much better and ate a hearty breakfast a short time before his death. Funeral arrangement had not been made at the time the Ardmoreite was informed of the death.

Mr. Henderson was president of the first National Bank of Berwyn and was president of the Berwyn Mercantile company. He owned a large body of Washita bottom lands and was successful in business and also in agriculture. he came to this country from Missouri in 1875 and married a Miss Colbert, who was a member of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians. Several children were born to them and her death occurred. Following her death Mr. Henderson went to Waxahachie, Texas, and married a woman who was his sweetheart in his early life in Missouri and she survives him.

The children that survive him are Mrs. John Mulkey, Miss Thelma Henderson, Charlie and John Henderson.

At the time of his death he was 65 years of age, and was ill two weeks and heart failure was the immediate cause of death. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon, but the hour was not stated.

The death of Mr. Henderson will be learned with much regret. He has done much toward the development of this section of the state and was one of its most progressive and useful citizens."
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The Daily Ardmoreite
Wednesday, November 20, 1912

"C.W. Henderson Buried Tomorrow.
C.W. Henderson, who died suddenly at his home in Berwyn yesterday morning, will be buried tomorrow (Thursday) evening at two o'clock. Interment will take place on the old Henderson farm where deceased spent many years of his active and useful life."

The Daily Ardmoreite
Friday, November 22, 1912

"HENDERSON FUNERAL
Many Friends of Deceased Came from Distance.

The remains of Uncle Charley Henderson who died at Berwyn were laid to rest in the Berwyn cemetery Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. W.R. Selvidge of Ardmore officiated and those present state that his talk over the remains was the best they had ever heard on an occasion of that character.

Mr. Henderson was a member of the Baptist church. He had led a religious life and at the time of his death he did not have an enemy in the world and people came from miles around to be present at his funeral.

Among those who attended the funeral were J.F. McMurray and his son, Jack McMurray of McAlester, John Thomas and Gregg Bean of Baum, J.E. Rose of Marietta, James H. Mathers and many other old-time friends of the deceased from Ardmore. Mr. Henderson is survived by a widow and several children.

He was president of the First National bank of Berwyn and of the Berwyn Mercantile company. His chief interest was in agriculture and he was one of the most progressive farmers of the county.

The death of Mr. Henderson is regretted by all who knew him and his loss will be keenly felt throughout the county."

Researched & compiled by Virginia Brown
January 2015