Benjamin Franklin Whitaker

Full Name: Benjamin Franklin Whitaker
Date of birth: December 1845
Date of death: June 8, 1916

Terms of Service
Biographical Notes
Committee Information

Terms of Service top

Chamber	District	Dates of Service	Legislatures	Party	City/County	Note	Counties in District
S	1	Jan 10, 1893 - Jan 12, 1897	23rd ⁽²⁾ 24th ⁽¹⁾	Democrat	Texarkana / Bowie		Bowie, Cass, Marion, Morris

(1) 24th Legislature - Roll of holdover Senators, 1/8/1895, p. 1. Senate Journal.
(2) 23rd Legislature - All 31 Senators are listed in Roll Call on First Day, 1/10/1893, p. 1; resolution by Sen. Cranford that the Senators shall now be divided by lot into two classes, 1/11/1893, p. 5; drew term of 4 years. Senate Journal. January 10, 1893 January 11, 1893

Terms of Service top

Senate District 1
Jan 10, 1893 - Jan 12, 1897
Legislatures: 23rd ⁽²⁾ 24th ⁽¹⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Texarkana / Bowie
Counties in district: Bowie, Cass, Marion, Morris

Biographical Information top

Other Resources

Obituary, "'Black Eagle' of Texas Senate Dead at Ripe Age," Tuesday, 6/12/1916, p. 2. "Benjamin Whitaker, 71 years old, one of the first settlers of Texarkana, died Thursday at Alexandria, La. . . . in 1890 he was elected to the State Senate of Texas . . . " Daily Advocate (Victoria, Texas).
Census of 1880 - Benj. Whitaker, Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas, age 34, born circa 1846 in Texas, railroad contractor, wife Anna, sons Waverly, Whatley, and James.
Census of 1900 - Benjaman Whitaker, Wards 4-5, Grant Parish, Louisiana, age 55, born December 1845 in Texas, saw mill manager, wife Anna P.
Benjamin Whitaker, born circa 1846, death date 6/8/1916 in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; father W.M. Whitaker, mother Elizabeth Moore. Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875, 1894-1960. FamilySearch. 1880 1900 Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875, 1894-1960
Historical marker and National Register listing, Whitaker House, Texarkana, Bowie County. "Built before 1891 by Benjamin F. Whitaker (1845-1916), member of Texas Senate (1893-97), partner of his brother in lumber business and a railroad that became part of Kansas City Southern line." Architect: Whitaker, Benjamin Franklin. Texas Historic Sites Atlas (Texas Historical Commission). Historical marker National Register listing
Bowie County Biographies, WHITAKER, WILLIS, SR. (1798-1867). Father of Benjamin F. Whitaker, "who later served in the Texas Senate." Bowie County, TXGenWeb Project.
Historical Markers of Bowie County, Whitaker House, Texarkana. TXGenWeb Project.

Photographs

Photograph. Benj. Whitaker, 24th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. B. Whitaker, 23rd Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

23rd session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber gallery, west wall. 3E.5). State Preservation Board.
24th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber gallery, west wall. 3E.5). State Preservation Board.

Committee Information top

24th R.S. - 1895 Agricultural Affairs Commerce and Manufactures Constitutional Amendments Education Finance Internal Improvements Judiciary No. 2 Public Buildings and Grounds (Chair) Public Health State Affairs Stock and Stock Raising
23rd R.S. - 1893 Agricultural Affairs Contingent Expenses Counties and County Boundaries Education Internal Improvements Penitentiaries Private Land Claims Privileges and Elections Public Buildings and Grounds (Chair) Public Health Public Lands State Asylums

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