Today’s column will feature the life and heritage of one of Andalusia’s early mayors.

Trammell E. Henderson was first elected mayor on May 8, 1906.

He was again elected to the office in 1918, and he was re-elected for a third term in office in 1932.

Needless to say, he was very influential in the early development of the town as it began to really grow during the early 1900s, which occurred after the arrival of the railroad in 1899.

Trammell E. (probably Edward after his father) Henderson was born in 1872.

His Trammell name came from his mother’s maiden name.

The family was residing in Pike County when Trammell, the oldest of six children was born.

Trammell was enumerated in the 1900 Federal Census for Covington County as living in the household of Oliver L. Benson.

He was listed as being single and being 28 years of age. Oliver Benson was his brother-in-law as he was the husband of Trammell’s sister, Pinkie (Henderson).

Records also showed that both of the Henderson parents were born in Alabama.

The First National Bank of Andalusia was organized in 1901, and Trammell became associated with it as a cashier during the early years.

J.C. “Dink” Henderson and Fox Henderson were two of the early vice-presidents of the bank.

Soon after the bank opened its doors for business, it had a building constructed on the site of the Clark Theatre, which was in earlier days the well-known Martin Theatre.

Then around 1919 and 1920, the First National Bank erected a landmark for Andalusia in the six-story building on the southeast corner of Court Square.

Interesting that this location was exactly diagonally across the square from the earlier building.

In 1931, the First National Bank of Andalusia merged with the Andalusia National Bank. After the merger, the name chosen was Andalusia National Bank.

During the early 1900s, Trammell Henderson was married to Ara B. Snead of Andalusia. In 1920, they were enumerated as being 46 and 40 years of age.

They did not have any children, but they had five adult boarders residing in their household.

This family resided in the large, two-story house located on East Three Notch Street across from the First Baptist Church parking lot.

More recently, Helon Gantt made the impressive structure her home.

In 1930, Trammell was listed at being 58, and Ara, 52. Trammell died in 1938 and was buried in the Magnolia Cemetery.

Trammell E. Henderson was the son of Edward Milton Henderson and wife, Mary Armilla Trammell who were married in 1871.

Trammell, their first child, was born in 1872. Their other children included the following: Vannie, b. 1874, m. John V. Hughes; Pinkie, b. 1876, m. 1898 Oliver Leon Benson; Mary Olive, b. 1879; J.V., b. 1883, m. Maud McMath; and Charles, b. 1889, d. 1955, m. Abbie Chapman.

Trammell E.’s father, Edward Milton Henderson, was the son of James Eli Henderson (1803-1858) and wife, Mary Elizabeth (Darby) (1810-1865). James Eli was born in Edgefield District, S.C., and had migrated to Clarke County, where he was married in 1828 to Mary Elizabeth.

The couple later settled in Pike County where they reared their family and lived out their lives.

James Eli and Mary Elizabeth Henderson reared the following children: William Nathaniel, b. 1829, d. 1878; Jeremiah Augustus, b. 1831, d. 1877, m. Mildred Elizabeth Hill (1836-1911); Benjamin Franklin Lafayette, b. 1833, d. 1895, m. Mary Jane Burney (1836-1895); Eliza Adelaide, b. 1834, d. 1901, m. James Kent Murphree (1830-1908); Susan Matilda, b. 1834, d. 1874, m. William Mills Murphree (1825-1879); Willis Darby, b. 1836, d. 1896, m. (1) Susan Burney (2) Eliza Jane Gilmore; Martha Emaline, b. 1838, d. 1903, m. Alexander M. McCaskill; Malissa, b. 1840, d. 1842; Amanda, b. 1843, d. 1906, m. Daniel R. Caldwell; James Monroe, b. 1845, d. 1912, m. Margaret Catherine McKenzie; John Bunyan, b. 1847, d. 1884, m. Mary E. Hill; Edward Milton, b. 1851, d. 1934, m. Mary Armilla Trammell; and Mary Jane, b. 1852, m. David K. Harvey.

James Eli Henderson was the son of Nathaniel Henderson (1775-1824) and his first wife, Jemima (? Branson) (1775-1818). Nathaniel was later married to Matilda Wilson Finch. James Eli and Jemima had the following children: Matilda; Elizabeth, b. 1799, d. 1881; Mary, b. 1801; James Eli, b. 1803, d. 1858, m. Mary Elizabeth Darby; Nellie, b. 1803, d. 1840; and Shadrack, b. 1810, d. 1858.

Nathaniel Henderson was the son of Shadrack Henderson (1750-1820) and Eleanor Holiday (1755-1849) who were married in 1774. Shadrack died in the State of South Carolina. He was the son of Richard “The Quaker” Henderson (1710-1789) and Elizabeth Branson (1715-1788). Richard Henderson had a brother named John Henderson (1707-1783), and he was the son of William Henderson (1685-1745) and Margaret Bruce, who were married in 1705. William was later married to Mary Woolfolk.

One record lists William Henderson as having been born in Fife, Scotland, in 1685. He did settled in Louisa County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1745. His father, also William Henderson, was born in Fife, Scotland, in 1618 and also migrated to America. Some records suggest he came between 1660-1666, but if that were true, the son would have been born in this country rather than in Scotland. William Sr. did settle here in New Kent County, which later became King and Queen County, Virginia. He was married to Florence Evans who would have been William Jr.’s mother.

This Henderson family has been prominent in Pike and Covington Counties. There are a number of descendants who continue to reside in the area. The Henderson community in Pike County was most likely named for this family.

Sources for this writing included Gus and Ruby Bryan’s Covington County History, 1821-1976, Ancestry.com and Bruce Henderson, who is interested in researching this family more thoroughly.

Anyone who might have any corrections to the above or additional information on this Henderson family is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 34620; 334-222-6467; or email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.