JOHN HENSON was born on June 11, 1911 in Camden, New Jersey. He was one of at least seven children born to Carrie and William Henry Henson. The family lived at 1050 Line Street when the 1914 City Directory was compiled and were still at that address when William Henson registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. The 1920 and 1930 Census indicate that the family, which included younger siblings William Jr., Joseph, Anna, Charles, Carrie, and Howard owned a home at 1054 Line Street. The Henson family remained at this address well into the 1940s. William H. Henson Sr. worked for many years as an electrical engineer at the Taylor White dye extracting plant at the foot of Pine Street.

By 1940 John Henson had married. He was then living with his wife Margaret at 431 Beideman Avenue in East Camden's Westfield Acres public housing project, and remained at that address as late as 1943. John Henson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on September 25, 1942.  He reported for duty on October 1, 1942 with Engine Company 9 at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden. On February 13, 1945 he was re-assigned as Battalion Chief's Aide for the Second District, a post he held until January 1, 1950 when he returned to the East Camden firehouse to serve with Ladder Company 3. 

The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that John Henson was still living in Westfield Acres with his wife Margaret, by then at 502 Beideman Avenue. By 1956 they had moved to 2905 High Street in East Camden. He lived out his days at this address.

On June 16, 1951 John Henson was promoted to Captain, as was John "Jake" Huelas of Engine Company 9. Captain Huelas was assigned to Engine Company 11 at 901 North 27th Street in Cramer Hill. John Henson's first assignment as a Captain was with Ladder Company 2 at Fire Headquarters, North 5th and Arch Streets. On July 16, 1955 Captain Henson was given a new assignment, with Engine Company 10 on Morgan Boulevard in Fairview.

John Henson passed away on September 11, 1959, at the age of 48. He was replaced on the Fire Department by John DeFrancesco.