Elijah “Lige” Henry was born 16 May 1850 on a farm in Daviess county, Ky, to John Henry (1807 – 1860) and Caroline Hatfield Henry (1815 – 1874).
There he was a farmer until 1880, when he became a citizen of Henderson. For several years he engaged in the tobacco trade.
In 1890 he entered upon the duties of a policeman in the city of Henderson. Ever since he has been successfully engaged in detective work. In this particular line he stands without a superior in Kentucky. During his eventful career, he has made many daring arrests.
On Thursday, August 3, 1899, Officer Elljah Henry was shot and seriously wounded in the left breast, and Officer James Manion through the right side, just above the hip. The shooting was done by Will Morris, whom the officers were attempting to arrest for shooting Policeman C. H. Slaton, of Madisonville.
The shot struck Officer Henry in the left breast, an inch above and an inch to the right of the nipple, and the bullet passed through his lung.
Mayor J. H. Powell appointed him Chief of Police in December 1901.
Considering the rapid increase in the size and population of Henderson and the fact that it is a great railroad center, it will be readily understood that the city has need of a very efficient police system. It is not too much praise to say. that in this department no city of its size is better equipped and the men comprising that force from Chief Elijah Henry down to the newest man on the roll are all embued with the responsibilities that rest on the force. No better selection for the chief of police could have been made when on coming in the office three years ago Mayor Powell selected the present incumbent for he has asserted his qualifications for that office by the admirable manner in which he discharged the duties of a police officer for the sixteen years he had been on the force.
In every walk in life he had been found upright, honorable and able and our citizens thoroughly recognized his good qualities and his excellent service on the force.
Since becoming chief the city has adopted the Gamwell System and he has made it his constant endeavor to keep the force at the highest standard of efficiency and in this he is ably assisted by his subor-dinates, and as a man of sound judgment and courage he has the connuence of the entire community. Mr. Henry is a candidate for the office of sheriff an office to which he is peculiarly well fitted by his long connection with the different courts and his thorough knowledge of men and events. He will undoubtedly poll a large vote in the county and a tremendous vote in the city, and his chances for election is excellent.
Mr. Henry desires to say to the voting public that he is making the race solely on his own merits and is not in any deal or controversy with his opponents or others regarding the office.
He made the race for sheriff of Henderson county in the primary of 1904 and was second in the race, losing to Ed Melton.
On 1 May 1905, Elijah Henry, resigned as police chief to pursue the saloon and restaurant business. He took over the former location of С. E. Miller at 132 Second street. A year later due to poor health, he sold the saloon to John P. Coons.
Elijah moved to Evansville shortly after this and remained there until his death on 15 Mar 1909 (aged 56). He was buried in Fernwood Cemetery / Section 13 / Lot 161 / Grave 7.
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