Thomas J. Henderson (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas J. Henderson
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| Chairman of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1895 |
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| Speaker | Thomas B. Reed (1889–1891) Charles F. Crisp (1891–1895) |
| Preceded by | Joseph G. Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Grosvenor |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois |
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| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1895 |
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| Preceded by | John B. Hawley (6th) William Cullen (7th) |
| Succeeded by | Robert R. Hitt (6th) George Edmund Foss (7th) |
| Constituency | 6th district (1875–1883) 7th district (1883–1895) |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1852-1860 |
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| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office 1857-1860 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 29, 1824 Brownsville, Tennessee |
| Died | February 6, 1911 (aged 86) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
Thomas Jefferson Henderson (born November 29, 1824 – died February 6, 1911) was an important person in American history. He served as a U.S. Representative for the state of Illinois. He was also a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Life and Career
Early Life and Education
Thomas Henderson was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1824. When he was eleven, his family moved to Illinois. He started working as a clerk for Stark County in 1847. A clerk helps keep official records.
He studied law and became a lawyer in 1852. He then started his own law practice in Toulon, Illinois.
Serving Illinois
Henderson began his political career in Illinois. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1855 to 1856. After that, he served in the Illinois Senate from 1857 to 1860. These roles helped him learn about making laws and serving the public.
Civil War Hero
In 1862, Thomas Henderson joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. He became a colonel of the 112th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He fought in important battles, like the siege of Knoxville and the Atlanta Campaign. He was even wounded during the Battle of Resaca.
He showed great leadership and was promoted to brevet brigadier general in 1865. He led his brigade in the Battle of Wilmington.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Henderson went back to practicing law. He moved to Princeton, Illinois, in 1867. In 1871, he was appointed as a tax collector for Illinois.
Time in Congress
In 1875, Thomas Henderson was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served for ten terms, which is twenty years, until 1895.
While in Congress, he led important groups. He was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. This committee worked on issues related to the military. He also led the Committee on Rivers and Harbors, which dealt with waterways. He was also the chairman of the Republican conference in the House. This meant he was a leader for the Republican members of Congress.
Later Years
After leaving Congress, Henderson continued to serve the country. In 1896, he joined the board for the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. This organization helped soldiers who were injured in war. In 1900, he became a civilian member of the Board of Ordnance and Fortifications. He served there until he passed away in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 1911. He was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, Illinois.
