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 Deputy Governor of the State of Massachusetts.

Career

About the life of Henry Benchley's beyond politics nothing is handed down. He was first a member of the Know-Nothing Party and was then involved in the formation of the Republican Party in Massachusetts. He also was a member of the Massachusetts Senate for some time. In 1855 he was elected to the side of Henry Gardner as vice governor of his state. This post he held 1856-1858. Yet he was assistant to the governor.

After the end of his time as Lieutenant Governor, he moved to Houston, Texas. There he was arrested on the eve of the Civil War by Southerners and imprisoned because he was involved in a station of the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escape to the North. He later founded the town named after him Benchley near Houston. Henry Benchley died on February 24, 1867 in Houston. His grandson, Robert Benchley (1889-1945) was a humorist, theater critic, and actor; his great grandson, Nathaniel (1915-1981) as well as his great-grandson Peter (1940-2006) were well-known authors.