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

Biographical Notes and Resources top

Biographical Sketches

• 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).

Other Resources

• 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
• 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. Architect: Whitaker, Benjamin Franklin, "served in the Texas Legislature in 1893 under Gov. James S. Hogg & again in 1895 under Gov. C.A. Culberson." Historical marker text - member of Texas Senate (1893-97). Bowie County, 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