The surname “Henry” appears to be English in origin and means "Son of Henry," which is basically the same derivation as Harris and Harrison, two other surnames I am interested in. This is according to Arthur, William, M.A. An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import. New York, NY: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & Co., 1857. Further clarification says the name “Henry,”means: “Verstegan derives this name from Einrick, ever rich; others from Herrick, rich lord or master; Camden, from the Latin Honoricus, honorable. Kilian writes it Heynrick--Heymrick, i. e., rich at home.” See Henry Surname Origin and Meaning

According to mongabay.com, the HENRY surname ranks as the 133rd most common surname in the U.S. as surveyed in the 1990 Census (behind Smith, Jones, Brown, Harris, etc.).

I am deeply indebted to my wife’s great-aunt, Grace (Henry) Mary, for writing down many of her own memories of the Henry and Clarke families. She compiled this information into a mimeographed paper, a copy of which was supplied by a dear, dear cousin, Virginia (Henry) Cox, of Westville, Oklahoma.

Virginia is more like an aunt or grandmother to my wife, than a cousin. In all actuality, she is Marion’s mother's first cousin. However, both Virginia's parents died in the dreaded flu epidemic of 1918. Virginia was orphaned at less than a year of age, and then was raised by her grandparents Henry, and later lived with Marion’s mother's family, being like an older sister to her.

Now without Aunt Grace's knowledge of the family, I would know very little about the Henry family, which is my mother-in-law's maiden name. Grandpa Henry (her dad) died when she was only 9 years old, so even she doesn't know a lot about the Henry line. And of course my wife never knew her grandpa Henry. Of the Robert Archie Henry, Jr. line, there is only one male descendant today to carry on the family name. Marion’s first cousin, Kenny Henry, who lives at Conway, Missouri, has a son, Levi Henry, who was born in 1990.

Here is my wife’s HENRY lineage as far as can be proven:

1. John William HENRY, b. 1844 Ripley, Brown Co., OH, d. 3 Nov. 1912 Fairview, Brown Co., KS (?); md. 8 Oct. 1868 Brown Co., OH to Louisa EMALINE DENNING, b. 1845 Georgetown, Brown Co., OH, d. 19 April 1919 Fairview, Brown Co., KS (?)
2. Robert Archie HENRY, Sr., b. 10 July 1872 Sabetha, Nemaha Co., KS, d. 26 July 1947 San Fernando Valley, CA; md. 17 Oct. 1892 Fairview, Brown Co., KS to Mary Rosetta CLARKE, b. 17 Feb. 1873 Walnut Grove, Hamilton Co., IN, d. 1 June 1960 Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., CA
3. Robert Archie HENRY, Jr., b. 26 Aug. 1902 Sickles, Caddo Co., OK, d. 10 June 1944 Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA; md. 22 Aug. 1928 to Bonnie Ruth CALLICO, b. 5 Aug. 1905 Drake's Creek, Madison Co., AR, d. 1 Dec. 1968 San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co., CA (both buried at Mountain View Cemetery, San Bernardino, CA) *These are my wife’s grandparents.