Albert S. Henderson Papers (MS-00191)

Las Vegas, Nevada district judge Albert Scott Henderson, commonly known as A.S. or Bert, was born in Eureka, Nevada on November 2, 1879. He was the son of a Canadian who moved to Eureka, Nevada to take advantage of the rapidly growing mining industry. Henderson's career as a public servant began at age fifteen when he was elected to his first public office as secretary to the Lander County Republican Convention. Henderson graduated from high school in 1897, and immediately became a teacher, then a principal, and later president of the school board. In 1910 he relocated to the Las Vegas, Nevada area. He was known as a pioneer resident of Las Vegas.

Henderson received his formal education from the University of Nevada in Reno and began his political career after he was admitted into the Nevada Bar Association in 1908. He was a member of the Nevada legislature from 1921 to 1923, and was speaker of the house from 1923 to 1925. He served as a Nevada State Senator from 1927 to 1929 and 1931 to 1933. During this time, Henderson was instrumental in writing much of the legislation concerning Boulder Dam. He served as a Clark County district attorney and Las Vegas city attorney. Many of the city and county ordinances still in effect were written by Henderson. He served as an advisor to the Colorado River Commission and was involved in many controversies over water, power, and revenue rights. By 1946 Henderson's work on behalf of both the city and state were recognized when Governor Vail Pittman appointed him as a district judge. Henderson was re-elected repeatedly to this position, until he resigned and retired on October 31, 1960.

In addition to serving in public office, Henderson was active in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, serving as president for one term. As a leader in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, he was responsible for shaping city street programs, highway programs, and other important city projects. Henderson was also active in the fraternal organizations and affairs of both Las Vegas and Clark County. He served in the Elks, Eagles, Las Vegas Kiwanis and Odd Fellows as a ranking officer.

Henderson was married to Roseilla Wadsworth from 1905 until her death in 1940. They had two daughters, Wanda Pegram and Alice Doll. In 1941, A. S. Henderson married Ena Russell. A.S. Henderson died on November 13, 1961 at age 82, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Las Vegas.