Son of Robert Caldwell Whisenant and Matilda Roseberry Whisenant.

Robert enlisted Feb. 20, 1860, and served in Capt. G.s. Fitzhugh's company of Texas Mounted Rangers, with Col M.T. Johnson in command. He engaged in campaigns against the Kiawas, Kickapoos, and the Comanches in the Indian Territory. In 1861 he enlisted in Joe Dixon's company under Saur Bell Maxey and in 1862 he was with Capt. R.M. Board's Company No. 1 of the 9th Regiment of Texas Infantry under Col William B. Young.

R. B. Whisenant & Harriett Coffee were married by Martin Epps in Collin Co., TX on 2 Sep 1865.∼Robert Benton Whisenant was born in 1843. He came to Collin County, Texas with his family in 1845. According to his Confederate pension application, he enlisted in the spring of 1861 and served until the end of the war. He was honorably discharged near Houston, TX in March 1865. Records show he enlisted in the 9th Texas Confederate Infantry Regiment", Company I, on October 9th, 1861 in McKinney, Texas, at the age of 18. He was discharged December 11, 1862 on a Surgeon's Certificate of Disability. He also states he served in the 5th Texas Partisan Cavalry Regiment , Company C, under General Richard Gano. Gen. Gano's house is located at Old City Park, downtown Dallas. He was a minister in Dallas and is buried at the Oakland Cemetery. His application was witnessed by R.C. Horn of the 5th Cavalry, Company K. and stated that R.B. Whisenant was a good soldier. He died January 9th, 1937, at his home in Allen.
∼
DR. G. O. KEY AND L. J. TRUETT GAVE TRIBUTES
At Funeral Of Late Uncle Bent Whisenant At Allen Saturday
      Although the ground and roads were covered with a coating of ice, sleet and snow, a large attendance was at the Baptist Church, in Allen, at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon, January 10, at the funeral of the late R. B. (Uncle Bent) Whisenant, nearly 94, whose death occurred about 1:30 o'clock Saturday morning, January 9, after a brief illness.
      His pastor, Rev. Milton Greer, was in charge of the services. Tributes were also paid to the deceased by Dr. G. O. Key and Hon. L. J. Truett, both of McKinney. The latter had been encouraged and helped from the time he began the practice of law at McKinney young manhood.
      Burial took place in the Allen Cemetery with six grandsons, as pall bearers. Many flowers covered the casket and grave in testimonial of the love and esteem tor the deceased Confederate veteran, who was born, January 18, 1843, and came to Texas and settled in Collin County before the Civil War.
      He was twice married, his wife being Miss Harriet Coffey, daughter of Salathial Coffey, and wife, a pioneer couple who came from Kentucky and settled near Allen in the early "fifties." His second wife was Miss Clara Branch, whose death occurred, two or years ago.
      He is survived by two children by his first marriage--Henry Whisenant, a business man of San Antonio, and Mrs. Anthie Bridges of near Allen. He is also survived with his three children by his second marriage--Postmaster Bailey Whisenant of Allen, Mrs. D. G. Melton and Mrs. Oscar Lynge, both of Allen. He also reared five granchildren, four Leach brothers and their sister, Miss Mattie Leach, who is now married and living in Oklahoma.
      The deceased was a member of the Baptist Church and a leader in the Democratic party councils of this county and section of the state. He followed the life of a farmer and stockman and was a man of outstanding personality and rugged integrity of character. The late Milton Whisenant, successful and influential business man, known throughout the county, passed away about two years ago.
      His daughter. Mrs. D. G. Melton and husband lived in the home with him and tenderly cared him during his last years of old age and feebleness.
      Among those attending the funeral from McKinney were his brother-in-law, S. P. Coffey; his nephew, Gabe Kerby, Judge G. R. Smith and many other friends and relatives.
The Courier-Gazette, McKinney, Texas, 11 Jan 1937, Mon, Page 1