Legislative library home page
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research
B.J. Forbes

Benjamin Johnson Forbes

Full Name: Benjamin Johnson Forbes
Date of birth: May 19, 1872
Date of death: January 7, 1954

Terms of Service

Chamber District Dates of Service Legislatures Party City/County Note Counties in District
H 103 Jan 13, 1931 - Jan 10, 1933 42nd   Democrat Weatherford / Parker   Parker
H 103 Jan 8, 1929 - Jan 13, 1931 41st   Democrat Weatherford / Parker   Parker
H 103 Jan 11, 1927 - Jan 8, 1929 40th   Democrat Weatherford / Parker   Parker
H 103 Sep 13, 1926 - Jan 11, 1927 39th (1) (2)   Democrat Poolville / Parker   Parker

Terms of service footnotes


(1) Benjamin J. Forbes, in special election 1/5/1926, sworn 9/13/1926, succeeded Fine G. Bedford, resigned. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
(2) Assumed Democrat based on listing as Democrat in subsequent Legislatures. Texas Legislative Manual.

Terms of Service

Legislatures:
42nd  
Party:
Democrat
Home City/County:
Weatherford / Parker
Counties in district:
Parker

Legislatures:
41st  
Party:
Democrat
Home City/County:
Weatherford / Parker
Counties in district:
Parker

Legislatures:
40th  
Party:
Democrat
Home City/County:
Weatherford / Parker
Counties in district:
Parker

Legislatures:
39th (1) (2)  
Party:
Democrat
Home City/County:
Poolville / Parker
Counties in district:
Parker

Terms of service notes


(1) Benjamin J. Forbes, in special election 1/5/1926, sworn 9/13/1926, succeeded Fine G. Bedford, resigned. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
(2) Assumed Democrat based on listing as Democrat in subsequent Legislatures. Texas Legislative Manual.

Biographical Information

  • Biographical sketch, "Who's Who and What's What in the Texas Legislature," by Ed Kilman, 2/6/1929, p. 9. Houston Post-Dispatch.
  • Biographical sketch and photo of Benjamin Johnson Forbes and his horse Ollie, "Horseback Preacher Still Rides Circuit Carrying the Word of God," The Winkler County News (Kermit, Texas), 11/25/1948, p. 13, crediting Winkler County Library. "A native of Pettus County, Mo. [Missouri], Forbes came to Collin County, Texas in 1889 . . . Brown-eyed Brother Forbes was Parker County's representative in the Texas Legislature from 1926 to 1932."
    Obituary, B.J. Forbes, "Colorful Pastor Will Be Buried in Weatherford," Cleburne Times-Review, 1/8/1954, p. 4, crediting Johnson County Historical Collective. "Forbes was elected in 1926 to fill an unexpired term in the state legislature and was re-elected for two consecutive terms thereafter. During one of his campaigns, he rode horseback about the countryside seeking votes." Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries). January 8, 1954 November 25, 1948

  • Census of 1930 - B.J. Forbes, Parker County, preacher, age 57, born circa 1873 in Missouri, wife Minnie, daughter Jewel. FamilySearch.
  • Benjamin Johnson Forbes, birth date 5/19/1872 in Petts [Pettis] County, Missouri; death date 1/7/1954 in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas; minister. FamilySearch Texas Deaths, 1890-1977.
  • B.J. Forbes, birth date 5/19/1872, death date 1/7/1954, burial in Spring Creek Cemetery, Weatherford, Parker County. Includes obituaries from Firm Foundation, 3/23/1954 (Benjamin Johnson Forbes), and unknown source ("Famed 'Horseback' Pastor Dies"). Find a Grave.
  • Selected newspaper articles

  • Photograph. B.J. Forbes, 42nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
  • Photograph. B.J. Forbes, 41st Legislature, State Preservation Board
  • Photograph. B.J. Forbes, 40th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Committee Information

House Committees

House Committees

House Committees

This website is a work in progress. Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.

Party information is not available for the 1st-11th Legislatures.

Have a question, comment or contribution? Email the Library or call 512-463-1252.

Many photos in Texas Legislators: Past and Present are used with permission of the Texas State Preservation Board. For permission to reproduce these photos, please contact the Texas State Preservation Board graphics coordinator at 512-475-3060.