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 Genealogical records


 Later 4Villiam 3-. Henderson engagod in differ-
ent business enterprises, in all of which he a-
chiovod success. He formed a copartnership with
Captain John Millor, -under the style of Miller &
Henderson. The firm conducted the largest whole-
sale and retail grocery business in the southern
half of the state. It-also owned a number of
steamships and sailing vessels that plied the Gulf
waters, and in those days furnished almost the only
moans. enjoyed by the people of Tampa and of this
section of the state of communication with the out-
side world.
 Other business enterprises with which dilliam
3. Henderson was connected wore the Tampa Commer-
Sial Jompany, the Tampa Harness and Nagon Company,
the beckwith & Henderson real estate agency, after-
vards conduct ted under the name of Beckwith, Hender-
son & warren, the Henry Giddons clothing company ,
and several other flourishing concerns.
 It was a conspicuous peculiarity of all of
Mr. Henderson's business concerns that, although he
was the real head and the responsible financial
backer of most of them, his name never appeared in
the chief place, as the senior partner or head of
the business.
 He was au prominent in the 0ooial and politi-
cal lifo of the community as in it3 financial af-
fairs. Though he might have easily attained prom-
inent position in the political affairs of the
state, he always declined and devoted his activities
in that line to local and county matters,.the only
state office that he ever hold being that of member
of the state board of health, and its first presi-
dent. He was several times a member and chairman
of the board of county commissioners of Hillsborough
County, in which position his financial ability was
largely instrumental in promoting the prosperity
and upbuilding the material fortunes of this sec-
tion.
 He was also prominent in church affairs, being
for many years a steward and a liberal contributor
tothb' finances of the First Methodist Ohuroh, of
which he died a member. He was chairman of the
building commi-ttee that supervised the erection of
he- present house o.f worship- of. that--ohuroba.



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