HOUSE, 29th General Assembly, 1851-53, representing Montgomery County; Whig, becoming Democrat following Civil War and Reconstruction. Born in Scott County, KY, Oct 8, 1804; son of Gen. William and Elizabeth Julia (Flournoy) Henry. After thorough classical training graduated from Transylvania University, Lexington, KY, 1825, receiving first honors; studied law and admitted to bar. Married Feb 17, 1833, to Marion McClure of Clarksville, Montgomery County, daughter of Hugh and Susan (Gibson) McClure; their seven children were – Susan, Thomas Flournoy, John Flournoy, Gustavus Adolphus, Jr., Marion, Benjamin, and Patrick. Began practice of law at Hopkinsville, KY; moved to Clarksville 1833 and continued practice. One of incorporators of Marine Fire Insurance, Life and Trust Co., Clarksville; 1839; of Clarksville Insurance Co, 1858; one of original trustees, 1848, of Masonic University and Montgomery Academy. Before coming to Tennessee, represented Christian County in Kentucky legislature 1831, 1832, 1833; Whig presidential elector on following occasions: 1840 supporting William Henry Harrison and John Tyler; 1844 supporting Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen; 1852 supporting Winfield Scott and William A. Graham; unsuccessful candidate for Congress 1842; Whig nominee for Governor 1853; unsuccessful; appointed by Gov. Isham G. Harris one of commissioners to enter state into a military league with Southern Confederacy, May 1, 1861; elected by legislature as one of Tennessee's two Senators in Confederate States Senate; chairman Democratic State Convention, 1874. Member of vestry and senior warden Protestant Episcopal Church. Died at his home "Emerald Hill", Clarksville Sep 10, 1880; buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
Sources: Moore and Foster, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, IV, 823;
Titus, Picturesque Clarksville, 36, Whitley, Roster and Soldiers, 835;
Montgomery County Tombstone Records, 12, 13; Beach, Along the Warioto,
129, 130, 139, 140, 159, 160, 176.
Biographies submitted by Jill Hastings-Johnson, Montgomery County Archivist