Robert McHenry (rancher)

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]

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]

• Robert McHenry at Find a Grave