Henry Wetherby Benchley
| Henry Wetherby Benchley | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts | |
|
In office 1856–1858 |
|
| Governor | Henry Gardner |
| Preceded by | Simon Brown |
| Succeeded by | Eliphalet Trask |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 20, 1822 Valley Forge, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 24, 1867 (aged 45) Houston, Texas |
| Political party | Know Nothing, Republican Party |
| Spouse(s) | Julia Ann Goddard |
Henry Wetherby Benchley (February 20, 1822 – February 24, 1867) was an American politician. A member of the Massachusetts Senate and the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, he helped found the Republican Party in the 1850s.
Benchley was allegedly jailed for helping run an Underground Railroad station, and died in Houston, Texas, shortly after founding a small township nearby, Benchley, Texas.
His grandson, Robert Benchley, was a famed humorist, and his great-grandson, Nathaniel Benchley, and great-great-grandson, Peter Benchley, were both noted authors.
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