From the quiet river towns of Wrightsville and Blue Creek, Ohio, came a young man who rose to national fame on baseball’s grandest stage—only to have his career and life cut tragically short. Austin Bush “Mac” McHenry, born October 22, 1895, in Wrightsville, Adams County, was the son of Dr. Oscar Edwin McHenry and Hanna M. Jones McHenry. Though his life ended at just 27, his legacy as one of the most promising outfielders of his era lives on.
Raised in Monroe and Jefferson Townships alongside his sister Alice “Dot” McHenry Smith, Austin married Ethel Fay Young in 1917. Together they raised two children, Leona and Austin Jr., while Austin’s baseball career steadily advanced. He began playing professionally in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1915, eventually joining teams in Milwaukee and Peoria. By 1918, he had caught the attention of Major League Baseball and was recruited to the St. Louis Cardinals.
It was the 1921 season that truly defined McHenry’s career. At just 25 years old, he hit an astounding .350 batting average, second only to teammate and Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby. He also ranked among the National League’s top five in RBIs, home runs, and extra-base hits. His 201 hits, 102 RBIs, and 92 runs scored made him one of the most dominant and admired players in the league. Sportswriters and fans alike believed he was on track to become one of the greatest left fielders of all time.
But by the summer of 1922, something was wrong. Austin began experiencing vision issues, struggling to track fly balls and perform at his usual elite level. St. Louis Cardinals manager Branch Rickey, deeply concerned, sent him home to rest and seek medical attention. It was there doctors discovered the devastating cause—a brain tumor.
Austin underwent surgery in hopes of recovery, but it was not to be. He passed away on November 27, 1922, at his home in Blue Creek, surrounded by loved ones. He was laid to rest in Moores Chapel Cemetery in Jefferson Township, Adams County.
Though his life was brief, Austin McHenry’s story remains a shining example of talent, perseverance, and hometown pride. His journey from Adams County’s hills to the major leagues is a reminder of the dreams that can be born in small towns—and the enduring impact one life can have.
