Henkin's Ford Bridge

My husband, Jack and I. live on the old Henkins place. There was a Raleigh Henkins that came to this area probably in the 1850 or 60's. I am in the process of writing a story about the bridge and the old country store, Gould Farm that was there by the bridge. The trusses and frame work of the old Henkins Bridge, remains in an old shed that I have on our farm. My hopes is to restore the old building. Lavern Henry, who married Raleight Henkins daughter, Lena Mae, told me the story. He was my second cousin. And it is also interesting, we live just up the hill from the the Shoal Creek Bridge, to find we also still have one of the old thorny locust trees livi8ng on our place. Mrs. Henkins had brought the sprouts in her boots when she came to Missouri from New York and planted them. It reminds me of the old Olive Trees in "The Garden" in Jeruselam. I am not sure and haven't found the date when the store, called Gould Farm, was built. It was ran by one of the Henkins, Joe and his wife, Mary Casy Henkins. If anyone has more info on this would love to hear from you. I have lots of help from a man, who now lives in California, Joe Phillips. who was related to the the Combs family. One of the stories told was that John Gray who was from England came to Cowgill, as far as the rail road went and stopped for a while. He had left his wife in London England. He sent for her and she had her hope chest with her, but the old Shoal Creek was out and she took her chest and stayed on the hill. Can you imagine what she was thinking as she sat there waiting for her husband to come after her. The Grays were cousins of Donald Clayton, a well know farmer in this area.I would love to have a picture of the store when it was ran by the Henkins. Any help would be appreciated . . . Joan Hosman 998 N. E. Gould Farm Road Cowgill, Mo. 64637 Phone # 816-583-2069

The name Henkins is not hyfinated. It is not Henkin's as in plural. The Henkins originated from Germany to W. Virgina then to IL,Missouri and WI. And beyond. The original farm back in W.Virgina is still in the family today. I would like to know more about the origin of the bridge and it's history.