James Wilson Henderson

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James Wilson Henderson, ca.1853

James Wilson Henderson (born August 15, 1817 in Sumner County in Tennessee , † August 30, 1880 in Houston , Texas ) was an American politician and the 4th governor of Texas.

Henderson left college near Georgetown , Kentucky at the age of 19 and traveled to Texas to support the freedom movement. He reached Texas shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto and was sent back to the US to recruit more volunteers. When he returned to Texas, Sam Houston offered him a job with the Texas Rangers , but he declined. Henderson had chosen to settle in Harris County and become a surveyor. While working as such, he began studying law at the same time. In 1842 he stopped his work and took part in the Somervell expedition .

On September 4, 1843 he won against Colonel James Morgan in the fight for a seat in the House of Representatives, in which he was confirmed in 1844. After the US annexation, Henderson was elected the third lieutenant governor in the state government of Texas. He held this office between 1851 and 1853. On November 23, 1853, he succeeded Peter Hansborough Bell as Governor of Texas, which he remained for the remainder of the legislature until December 21, 1853. He was succeeded as governor by Elisha M. Pease .

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personal data
SURNAME Henderson, James Wilson
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician; Texas Governor
DATE OF BIRTH August 15, 1817
PLACE OF BIRTH Sumner County , Tennessee , United States
DATE OF DEATH August 30, 1880
Place of death Houston , Texas , United States