For about fifty years, Heneker was a businessman and an influential leader in the Eastern Townships at the end of 19th century.

[1] At the age of 19, Heneker was hired by the firm of Charles Barry, architect of the Westminster Parliament buildings (London).

In the early 1850s he was an associate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects; he operated a professional architectural services office with a colleague, Frederick Lawford.

The company's mission was to acquire and manage the development of 800,000 acres (320,000 ha) of Terre de la Couronne in Eastern Townships (Quebec).

This development was aimed at helping British subjects to settle in this region of Lower Canada as part of the great wave of Irish immigration.

Heneker served as president of this company, whose woolen factory proved to be the city's main employer for much of the late 19th century.

[4] In addition to his role as a businessman, Heneker got involved in municipal politics and at the community level with the Protestant and English-speaking population of the Eastern Townships.

Heneker was involved in various capacities in within the Church of England, notably as a delegate to diocesan, provincial and general synods.

[1] In addition, Heneker came to the aid of several settlement societies in the Eastern Townships, whose mission was to recruit English-speaking settlers.

In his absence, the City Council authorized on May 31, 1869, the compulsory purchase of 2,000 shares of the Sherbrooke Eastern Townships & Kennebec Railway.