James W. Henderson

James Wilson Henderson (August 15, 1817 – August 30, 1880) was the fourth Governor of Texas from November 23, 1853 to December 21, 1853.

James Wilson Henderson
4th Governor of Texas
In office
November 23, 1853  December 21, 1853
LieutenantVacant
Preceded byPeter Hansborough Bell
Succeeded byElisha M. Pease
3rd Lieutenant Governor of Texas
In office
August 4, 1851  November 23, 1853
GovernorPeter Hansborough Bell
Preceded byJohn Alexander Greer
Succeeded byDavid Catchings Dickson
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
In office
1843
Personal details
BornAugust 15, 1817
Sumner County, Tennessee
DiedAugust 30, 1880(1880-08-30) (aged 63)
Houston, Texas
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Saphira Elizabeth Price (18??-18??)
Laura A. Hooker (June 6, 1848-July 21, 1856)
ProfessionSurveyor, Army Captain
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Rank Captain
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Born on August 15, 1817 in Sumner County, Tennessee, Henderson moved to Texas when he was 19 to join the struggle for independence, but he arrived too late to participate. He settled in Harris County and became the county surveyor, also studying law. In 1842, he enlisted in the Somervelle Expedition.

In 1843, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, and in 1847, became Speaker of the House. He was elected Lieutenant Governor on August 4, 1851 and became the fourth Governor of Texas on November 23, 1853 upon the resignation of his predecessor, Peter Hansborough Bell.

Henderson served the last 28 days of Bell's term of office when Bell resigned to take the vacant seat in the United States Congress from the Western District of Texas.

During the Civil War, he joined the Confederate Army as a captain.

James W. Henderson died on August 30, 1880 in Houston and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. "James Wilson Henderson". Find A Grave. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
None
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
1846–1849
Succeeded by
unknown
Preceded by
unknown
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
1857–1859
Succeeded by
unknown
Political offices
Preceded by
Stephen W. Perkins
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
1847–1849
Succeeded by
Charles G. Keenan
Preceded by
John Alexander Greer
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
1851–1853
Succeeded by
David Catchings Dickson
Preceded by
Peter Hansborough Bell
Governor of Texas
1853
Succeeded by
Elisha M. Pease
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