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
December 22, 1851 – November 23, 1853
GovernorPeter Hansborough Bell
Preceded byJohn Alexander Greer
Succeeded byDavid Catchings Dickson
7th Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
In office
December 13, 1847 – November 5, 1849
Preceded byStephen W. Perkins
Succeeded byCharles G. Keenan
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
In office
December 13, 1847 – November 5, 1849
In office
November 2, 1857 – November 4, 1861
Member of the Republic of Texas House of Representatives
In office
1843–1845
Personal details
BornAugust 15, 1817
Sumner County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedAugust 30, 1880(1880-08-30) (aged 63)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Laura A. Hooker
(m. 1848; died 1856)

Saphira Elizabeth Price
(m. 1858)
ProfessionSurveyor
Military service
AllegianceConfederate States
Branch/serviceConfederate States Army
RankCaptain
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

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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.[1] He was elected Lieutenant Governor on August 4, 1851, and was inaugurated on December 21. He became the fourth Governor of Texas on November 23, 1853, upon the resignation of his predecessor, Peter Hansborough Bell,[2] serving the last 28 days of his term.

During the Civil War, he joined the Confederate Army as a captain under General John B. Magruder. In 1871, Henderson was vice president of the state Democratic Convention.[2] He died on August 30, 1880, at the age of 63, in Houston.

References

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  1. ^ "Speakers of the House of Representatives, 1846 - present". Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Henderson, James Wilson". tshaonline.org.
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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 Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
1847–1849
Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Texas
1851–1853
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Texas
1853
Succeeded by