W. B. Henderson | |
|---|---|
 Henderson c. 1891 | |
| Born | September 17, 1839 |
| Died | May 7, 1909 (aged 69) |
| Spouse | Caroline Spencer |
| Children | Gettis A. Henderson Blanche Henderson Weedon Cora Lee Warren Fletcher Spencer Henderson Nellie May Henderson John William Henderson Mattie Ward Harris |
| Relatives | John A. Henderson (brother) |
W. B. Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1862, 1863–1865 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 7th Florida Infantry, Co. B 1st. Special Cavalry Battalion |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
William Benton Henderson (September 17, 1839 – May 7, 1909) was a cattleman, merchant, and prominent figure in the history of Tampa, Florida. He is the namesake of Henderson Boulevard and Henderson Avenue as well as the former W. B. Henderson Elementary School.
Henderson served with the Confederacy during the Civil War. His company's captain was James Gettis, who raised Henderson's brothers after the death of his father. He then served in the "Cow Cavalry" and commanded it after John T. Lesley was wounded.
After the war, along with Lesley and James McKay, Henderson shipped cattle to Cuba. He was a member of the firm of Miller & Henderson, then the largest store south of Jacksonville, which housed Tampa's first telegraph.
Henderson was instrumental in bringing cigar manufacturers Gavino Gutierrez, Ignacio Haya, and Vicente Martinez Ybor to Tampa. He also helped establish Giddens Clothing Company, and ran the Tampa Harness and Wagon Company.
He established Tampa Heights, the first suburb in Tampa. He was for ten years president of the State Board of Health. He was a part of the Beckwith, Henderson and Warren real estate agency, and held several pieces of land. He also helped start the Tampa Times newspaper, and was president of the Bank of West Tampa