1936

Winfield Scott Henderson was born March 4 1861 and he died  July 9 1936

Winfield Scott and Martha Jane were divorced in 1913.   Winfield was a drinker, and would abuse Mart (Martha).  When the boys would try to protect their Mother, Winfield would chase them from the farm.   Eventually Martha died too..and she was buried next to him..she is quoted as saying “He can’t hurt me anymore.”  ( from the book  The Smart Aleck)

During a family reunion in Logan Iowa during the early 1980’s, some relatives were recalling Winfield..  Herman became very angry..he had absolutely nothing good to say about his father and resented those who spoke well of him.  

I think that Winfield may be part of the reason that James X. came to Minnesota.  Martha divorced Winfield in 1913 after the birth and death of a baby.   Because of his mothers divorce James X. could in  good conscience follow his dream of owning farmland.

Back in 1901 Martha’s father Xaver Aleck executed a Will that made special provisions for Martha,  he gave he a life estate and some money.  If Winfield survived Martha he could live on the land if he paid the taxes, if he remarried the land passed to the children of Martha and Winfield.   In 1902 Xaver had a Codicil drawn up that revoked this part of the will and  wanted his children to share and share alike.