Page:Men of Mark in America vol 2.djvu/64

 DAVID BREMNER HENDERSON ENDERSON, DAVID BREMNER, soldier, lawyer, legislator, parliamentarian, former speaker of the United States house of representatives, is a native of Scotland, and a citizen of the state of Iowa. He was born at Old Deer, Scotland, March 14, 1840, and came to America with his parents who settled in 1846 in Illinois. In 1849 the family removed to Iowa, establishing themselves in Fayette county, on a farm. Here he grew up, assisting his father on the farm in the summer season and attending school in the winter.

His life inspiration was his mother, a farmer's wife, who had faith in her boy, and who lived to see him a member of congress. Through her, his education was directed for a specific and practical purpose. He utilized every leisure hour in study, with a definite plan in view. In the noon-hour, in the harvest fields, he mastered the elements of mathematics. He took part in the debating societies in various country school houses, and there laid the foundation for the career of the statesman whose voice became a power in the halls of congress. He found himself a leader in these contests, as he continued to be in the wider work of life because he had fitted himself for such a career. The conscientious purpose inspired by his mother was by her developed in her son. She was his closest companion, and his most sympathetic counsellor, in the evening readings and talks upon books and the affairs of men and states, and in conversations upon the subtle mysteries of life and upon problems of conduct.

He managed by strenuous effort, to secure means to enter Upper Iowa university, where he was engaged with his studies at the outbreak of the Civil war. The martial spirit and the patriotism of the students were greatly aroused by this event, and many of them hastened to enlist. Henderson had not yet reached his majority; but he was among the most enthusiastic of the volunteers, and in August, 1861, he was chosen first lieutenant of Company C, 12th Iowa volunteer infantry. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, and again severely at Corinth. This latter wound resulted in the amputation of his left