Henry Monehan, Orphan Train Rider

Henry Monehan/Monahan was born in 1843 in Ireland and came to Vermilion County in 1855 with a large company of boys and girls who were all placed in Vermilion County. Henry was assigned to John Saunders, a local farmer. During the civil War, Henry enlisted and served with the 4th Illinois Cavalry, Company F. He enlisted in Danville October 18, 1861 and was mustered out November 21, 1864 in Natchez, Mississippi. The 4th Cavalry was active in some of the memorable battles of the west: Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Ft. Donelson. Henry's company was consolidated with company A, which was known as General U. S. Grant's escort.

Henry married his guardian's daughter, Sarah Saunders and farmed in Vermilion County until about 1885 when they were living in Buffalo, Nebraska. Henry and Sarah had eight children: Frank, James, Mary, Henry, William, Charles, Lillian and Robert. Sarah died in 1893 and in 1900 five of their children were still living at home and some were still school age.

Henry entered the Sawtelle Hospital for Disabled Soldiers in October 1916 and died December 11, 1928. He was buried in Los Angeles, California, where his son lived.