George Austin McHenry

George Austin McHenry (April 30, 1858 – October 11, 1931) was an American military officer, Mississippi pioneer, physician, and entrepreneur.

Early years George Austin McHenry was born April 30, 1858, in Seneca County, Ohio to Cornelius and Rebecca McHenry. He received his early education in Ohio and Indiana, and studied at the University of Michigan.

In 1881, McHenry married Eunice Whitaker at Angola, Indiana, with whom he had one child, Floyd Whitaker McHenry, born in 1891. The location they selected became known as the Michigan Settlement, where McHenry and his wife built a General store to service the families and the booming lumber town that developed. When a Post Office opened, it was established under the name McHenry in honor of the settlement’s founder.

Physician and entrepreneur

During military service in Cuba, Dr. McHenry was able to help victims of yellow fever because he was immune to the disease. After discharge from military service, Dr. McHenry returned to the town which he founded.

During the early years of the 20th century, Dr. McHenry and another entrepreneur acquired the Ramsey Springs property and promoted its spring water as a cure for stomach ulcers and skin diseases.

During his later years, McHenry dabbled in local politics, trying to prevent Stone County’s separation from Harrison County. Rather than splitting Harrison County, McHenry proposed two judicial districts for Harrison County, with the town of McHenry having the second courthouse. When McHenry’s efforts failed and Stone County was created in 1916, he sought to have the town of McHenry selected as the county seat, but was defeated by voters who chose Wiggins.

During the remainder of his life, Dr. McHenry attended to the medical needs of local citizens in the town of McHenry and surrounding areas. By 1926, George McHenry had suffered a stroke and died in 1931. He is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery, McHenry, Mississippi.