Henry Wetherby Benchley

Henry Wetherby Benchley (born February 20, 1822 in Valley Forge , Chester County , Pennsylvania , † February 24, 1867 in Houston , Texas ) was an American politician . Between 1856 and 1858 he was lieutenant governor of the state of Massachusetts .

Career

Nothing is known about Henry Benchley's life beyond politics. He first became a member of the Know-Nothing Party and was then involved in building the Republican Party in Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Senate for some time . In 1855 he was elected lieutenant governor alongside Henry Gardner . He held this office between 1856 and 1858. He was Deputy Governor .

After his tenure as Lieutenant Governor ended, he moved to Houston, Texas. There he was arrested and imprisoned by southerners in the run-up to the civil war because he was involved in a station on the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape to the north. He later founded the village named after him Benchley near Houston. Henry Benchley died in Houston on February 24, 1867. His grandson Robert Benchley (1889-1945) was a humorist, theater critic and actor; his great-grandson Nathaniel (1915–1981) and his great-great-grandson Peter (1940–2006) became well-known authors.

Web links

• The Political Graveyard
• Mention of Benchley in an article about his grandson Robert Benchley
• Short biography