James W. Henderson

James Wilson Henderson (August 15, 1817 – August 30, 1880) was an American surveyor and politician who served as the fourth governor of Texas from November to December 1853.

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 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, 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. He died on August 30, 1880, at the age of 63, in Houston.