William James Henley
(11 Nov 1861, Pennsylvania - 12 Jul 1909, Nevada)
William James Henley (sitting, 2nd from left, unknown group)
My Maternal Great Grandfather
Judge William James Henley Biography written in 1904
HON. W. J. HENLEY, who resides in Hawthorne, Esmeralda county, has been prominent in public affairs here, serving formerly as a member of the state legislature and also as county clerk. He is now engaged in the practice of law. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning the principles of jurisprudence, which he applies with accuracy to the points in litigation, so that his work at the bar has been attended with excellent success.
He is one of Pennsylvania's native sons, his birth having occurred in the Keystone state on the 8th of November, 1861. He went with his mother and her children to California in 1866 by way of the isthmus route, his father having previously died in St. Louis, Missouri. The widow and her children settled in Reno, Nevada, in 1877, and there Mr. Henley secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store, at first receiving forty dollars per month, but later was paid a salary of seventy-five dollars per month, having demonstrated his ability in business circles.
In 1886 Mr. Henley arrived in Esmeralda county, where he worked at whatever he could get to do until elected to the position of county clerk in the year 1887. In 1899 he was elected to the state legislature. While serving as county clerk he read law and was admitted to the bar, and since that time he has received his full share of the law practice in this portion of the state. He presents his cases with great fairness and precision and presents his arguments so as to make a strong impression on court or jury. His deductions follow in logical sequence, and he is a cogent, forceful reasoner.
William J. Henley with his wife Henrietta Kate Rosenthal Henley and daughter Clara Belle Henley (McGee)
In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Henley and Miss Katie Rosenthal, a native of California, horn in Mariposa county and a daughter of Davis Rosenthal, who was one of the prominent early settlers of Hawthorne. Six children have been born of this union: Esther, Benjamin, Lloyd, Willie, Dave and Carabella. The family have a good home in Hawthorne, which is a center of a cultured society circle, its hospitality being enjoyed by the leading people of the community.
Mr. Henley is a Democrat in his political views and has made an excellent record as a public official. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, in which he has served as keeper of the records and seals. His analytical mind and close application to his work have gained him a very desirable reputation as a member of the legal profession, and in the practice of law he is now enjoying a distinctively representative clientage.
Source: A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904
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Family Lines:
Wife: Henrietta Kate Rosenthal (May 1867, Hornitos, CA-28 Mar 1926, Reno, NV)
Children:
Benjamin Henley
David (Dave)(Davis) Henley
Esther (Esse) Henley (Miller)
Lloyd Henley
William (Willie) James Henley, Jr. (29 Jun 1894 - 14 Jul 1959)
Clara Belle Henley (McGee) (28 Apr 1898, Hawthorne, NV- 14 Jun 1982, Reno, NV)
Father: Unknown Henley (Ireland - 1866?, St. Louis, MO)
Mother: Mary (Henry?) Henley (Ireland - Reno, NV)
Siblings:
Mary Henley Burcel (unknown, Ireland? - unknown, Reno, NV)
Other siblings but lack information- needs research
