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The Court Stenographer
An Applicant Who Has Had Considerable Experience in Stenography
He Served His Country During the War- Applicants Who Were Disappointed

At the test given to applicants for the position of stenographer of the Superior Court, Judge Skirm did the reading which the applicants were required to report, the test being 150 words for five minutes. It was thought that Bert Balding was a sure winner, it having been whispered about that he had been slated for the position. His qualification was not questioned, as it had been reported that he could write 170 words a minute. It was also stated that so certain was he of appointment that he had resigned his position as mail carrier, but this was not true, as Bert was wise enough to receive a leave of absence for thirty days before he entered the contest for stenographer. This was a safe precaution to take as the result of the test proved.

According to the report of the committee H.C. Henney and T.W. Duncan were the only applicants who passed a satisfactory test. Duncan was also thought to be certain of the position in case that Bert failed to be successful at the test, but Judge Smith, who had the appointing power, from which no appeal can be taken, decided in favor of H.C. Henney, who is a gentleman of stenographic experience and capable of acceptably filling the position.

Mr. Henney came to Santa Cruz last August on the advice of Rev. J.A. Cruzan whose church he attended in St. Louis, Mo. He resides with his wife, daughter and mother in law on Railroad St., East Santa Cruz, In 1867 he located in Carthage, Mo., and then moved to St. Louis , where for fourteen years he was with the Wabash Railroad. He was for a time stenographer of the Court of Joseph Co., Mo., and was one of the official reporters of the Missouri Constitutional Convention in 1877.

Mr. Henney is a Grand Army man, having served for four years during the war under Sherman, Grant and Thomas. He participated as a member of the 55th Ohio Regiment in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Missionary Ridge and Peach Tree Creek, besides numerous other engagements. At Resaca he was in the midst of some hot fighting, in which one- third of his regiment was killed, among them being the Colonel and Mr. Henney's brother.

All other things being equal, it is well to remember the boys in blue who remembered us when the struggle was on to burst the Union.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (February 23, 1923)

DIED: HENNEY- In Santa Cruz Feb 23, 1923, Henry C. Henney, native of Ohio, aged 84 years, 5 months and 1 day.

The funeral of deceased will take place from the Chase undertaking parlors Monday, 2 P.M. Please omit flowers. Friends and acquaintances of the deceased are invited to be present. Interment SCruz/OMP cemetery.

Old Soldier and Well Known Citizen Passes

Again has the death angel visited our community, this time calling a man highly respected and beloved by all who knew him Friday morning at his residence on the Soquel Road, Henry C. Henney entered into rest.

Mr. Henney was born in West Salem, Ohio, Sept 22, 1838. He was the thirteenth child of a family of fourteen all of whom have preceded him in death. His father was the first Evangelical Association minister in the wilderness of Ohio.

After spending four years in the Civil War and participating in many of its engagements, at its close he located in Carthage, Mo. Here he was editor at different times of two leading newspapers. Here also he was united in marriage on March 11, 1868, to Frances Wilson, who survives him and whose devoted care has ministered to him all these years. He spent several years in St. Louis following his profession, that of court stenographer.

Twenty-six years ago he came to Santa Cruz hoping the change would benefit his failing health. By physicians' advice he sought employment otherwise than in an office. He engaged in the poultry industry introducing scientific methods in its development, pioneering the way for the many who have used the methods he found of value.

No one rejoiced more in the beauty of Santa Cruz than has Mr. Henney, and here he was happy until six years ago when he was stricken with paralysis. It was the purpose of his life to uphold all things good; his country, his home, his church, the temperance cause, all had his devotion. He has been a deacon in a Congregational church for over 50 years. Many people in St. Louis can recall his services there as superintendent of a large Sunday school. Next to his church did he prize his fellowship with his fellow members of the G.A.R.

Mr. Henney will be sincerely missed and mourned not only by personal friends, but by the community at large, among whom he has lived a strong, helpful Christian life.

Surviving him besides his widow are his grandchildren, Frances and Rufus Thompson of Amherst Mass, and several nieces and nephews.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (February 27, 1923)

Funeral of An Old Soldier

Many were at Chase's undertaking parlors yesterday for the funeral services over the late Henry C. Henney, who died at his home on the Soquel road.

Members of Wallace Reynolds post, G.A.R. of which he was a member, attended in a body. The hymns, "Abide With me" and "Lead Kindly Light," were sung by Mrs. F.D. McPherson, who was one of the favorite choir soloists of the deceased.

A favorite psalm, the 23d, "the Lord is My Shepherd," was repeated in unison by the people before the well chosen remarks of the pastor, Rev. B.M. Palmer of the Congregational church, who referred beautifully to the life of the one who had passed on.

The burial was at the SCruz/OMP cemetery, close to the family residence.

Notes from Phil Reader

Based on an unidentified Newspaper Article (June 1, 1913)

Phil Reader's notes indicate that Henry C. Henney lived on Capitola Rd. His parents were Adam Henney, of Pennsylvania and Catherine Rickel, also of Pennsylvania. Henney lived in California and in Santa Cruz for 26 years and was a chicken rancher. He died Feb 23, 1923 at age 84 years 5 months and 1 day.

Reader's notes also indicate that H.C. Henney gave a five-minute talk on the battle of Gettysburg, in which he was a participant.

Date of Birth: 1838-09-22

Date of Death: 1923-23-02

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Oakwood Memorial Park

Plot: O6/04

Mortuary: CCC

Cause of Death: Pul/Pnmnia

Date of Marriage: 1868/12/11

Spouse: Wilson_ Francis

Occupation: Poultryman

Religion: Co

Height: 5'8

Local Address: Soquel Rd

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: OH

Father Native of: Adam (PA)

Mother Native of: Rickel_ Catherine (PA)

Enlisted: 1861/09/21

Discharged: 1865/07/11

Military Unit: OH_ 55 Inf_ Co A

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R_E-N/L_ M/O-Lsvlle KY

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1923/02/23