Francis A. Hendry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francis Asbury Hendry
Member of the Second Constitutional Convention of Florida (1865)
Member of the Florida Senate from the 28th District
In office 1865–1867
Member of the Florida Senate from the 24th District
In office 1875–1878
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Lee County
In office 1893–1904
Personal details
Born	November 19, 1833 Thomasville, Georgia
Died	February 12, 1917 (aged 83) Fort Myers, Florida
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Rank	Captain
Unit	Cow Cavalry
Battles/wars	Third Seminole War

Francis Asbury Hendry (born November 19, 1833 – died February 12, 1917) was an important person in Florida history. He was a successful cattle rancher, a politician, and an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. People often called him "Berry."

Early Life and Moving to Florida

Berry Hendry was born near Thomasville, Georgia. His parents were James Edward Hendry and Lydia Carlton. In 1851, when Berry was about 18, his family moved to Hillsborough County, Florida. They settled near the Alafia River, not far from Tampa.

Sadly, his father died suddenly in Georgia in 1852. Even so, 19-year-old Berry, his mother, and his brothers and sisters decided to stay in Florida.

Starting a Family and Ranch

On March 25, 1852, Berry married Ardeline Ross Lanier. She was born in Georgia in 1835. Soon after they married, they moved to Fort Meade, Florida. There, they started their own cattle ranch.

They had a special way to mark their cattle. They would cut a unique shape into one ear and a square shape into the other. They also branded their cattle with a large "A." This "A" stood for Berry's middle name, Asbury, and his wife's first name, Ardeline.

The Hendrys lived with soldiers at Fort Meade for a while. Later, they built their first home about two miles north of the fort. It was located on a small branch of the Peace River. Today, this small river branch is known as the Berry Hendry Branch.

Military Service

Berry Hendry served as a soldier during the Third Seminole War. He was part of volunteer groups led by Captain William B. Hooker and Captain Leroy G. Lesley. Records show he was tall, about six feet one inch. He had grey eyes and dark hair. He survived the war without seeing much fighting.

Role in the Civil War

By 1860, just before the Civil War, Berry Hendry was a very successful cattle rancher. Like many ranches at that time, his ranch used the forced labor of enslaved people.

At first, he did not want Florida to leave the United States. But after Florida decided to secede, he supported his home state.

In 1861, before the war truly began, Hendry helped create Polk County, Florida. He was elected to its first county commission. For the first three years of the war, he helped supply cattle to the Confederate army. This was difficult because Union soldiers occupied old Fort Meade.

So, in 1863, Berry Hendry formed his own cavalry company. Their job was to keep the enemy soldiers stuck inside the fort. He became a Captain and his company joined a group called the Cow Cavalry.

Political Career and Later Life

Berry Hendry was involved in politics for many years. In 1857, he was elected to the Hillsborough County Commission.

After Florida surrendered to the Union in 1865, Hendry represented Polk County at a special meeting in Tallahassee. This meeting was called the Second Constitutional Convention. He was also elected to the Florida Senate several times. He served for the 28th district in 1865 and 1866. Later, he served for the 24th district in 1875 and 1877.

He also served in the Florida House of Representatives. He represented Lee County for many years, from 1893 to 1903.

Building a Cattle Empire

After the Civil War, during a time called Reconstruction, former Confederate officers were not allowed to hold state offices. So, Berry Hendry returned to Polk County. He was appointed to the Board of Public Instruction, which oversaw schools.

During this time, Hendry continued to grow his cattle business. He moved his main ranch office to the old army barracks at Fort Myers. He started selling cattle to buyers in Cuba. He was one of the first Florida ranchers to ship cattle to Cuba from the port of Punta Rassa. By 1876, he had fenced in about 25,000 acres of land. He owned around 50,000 cattle.

Community Leadership

On August 12, 1885, Hendry led a public meeting in Fort Myers. People voted to make Fort Myers an official town. Hendry became one of its first councilmen. As a councilman, he helped create Lee County, Florida in 1887. He was then elected to its first Board of County Commissioners.

By 1888, Hendry moved his ranching headquarters near Fort Thompson. He also started to sell many of his regular cattle. Instead, he bought breeds like Jersey cows to improve the quality of his livestock. He bought large areas of marshland along the Caloosahatchee River for his cattle to graze.

In 1895, Major Hendry planned out a new town. He named it LaBelle, Florida, after his daughters, Laura and Belle Hendry.

In his final years, Major Hendry moved back to Fort Myers. He needed better medical care because he had a kidney disease called chronic nephritis. The State of Florida gave him a monthly pension of twenty dollars.

Death and Legacy

Francis Asbury Hendry died in Fort Myers on February 12, 1917, at the age of 83.

To honor him, the state legislature created Hendry County, Florida, on May 11, 1923. The town of LaBelle, which he founded, became the county seat.