Hernández, Benigno Cárdenas, 1862-1954

Benigno Cárdenas Hernández (February 13, 1862 – October 18, 1954) was a merchant and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he was the first Hispanic from New Mexico to serve as a full member of Congress.

Born in Taos, New Mexico Territory, he attended both private and public schools there before moving to Lumberton in Rio Arriba County, where he raised sheep. In 1882 he returned to Taos, where he worked as a store clerk. In 1888 he became a private merchant, and for the next few years lived in various communities in New Mexico. In 1893 he established a store in Lumberton and six years later he set up the headquarters for his business activities in Tierra Amarilla, the county seat for Rio Arriba County. In 1900 Hernández began his political career when he became probate clerk and recorder in Tierra Amarilla. In 1904 he was elected county sheriff of Rio Arriba County and served for two years. From 1908 to 1912 he served as county treasurer and tax collector. In 1912 he was appointed receiver in the State Land Office in Santa Fe. During his tenure as an elected county official, he also served as a delegate to numerous State Republican Conventions. He resigned from the Santa Fe post the following year and returned to his business.

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