BIO: Clayton E. BENSON, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark 
<myclarkhistory@hotmail.com>

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 282 
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  CLAYTON E. BENSON, Eagle Foundry, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Tod 
township, November 3, 1858.  He is a son of Perry and Mary A. (Baker) Benson.  
Perry Benson was born in the same township, in June, 1829, son of Nicholas 
Benson, a farmer of the township.  He attended the public and the subscription 
schools of his native place, and learned farm work on the homestead until he was 
thirteen.  Then for five years, he worked for the neighboring farmers.  When he 
was eighteen, he went to Woodbury, Bedford county, Pa., and learned carpentry.  
After spending two years and a half there, he returned to Tod township, where he 
made carpenter work and contracting his vocation for life.  In 1869, he bought a 
farm in Tod township, containing 100 acres, 80 of which are under cultivation.  
He has improved the place, and carries on stock raising as well as tillage.  He 
is a Republican, and has served on the school board, and as tax collector.  
Perry Benson was married in Tod township to Mary A., daughter of Israel Baker, 
of Morris, afterward of Tod township.  They have three children: Calvin W., 
carpenter, Tod township; Clayton E.; and William M., teacher, Huntingdon, Pa., 
has been superintendent of schools.  Mr. Benson is a member and active worker in 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 
  The school education of Clayton E. Benson was obtained in the common schools 
of Tod township and at Juniata College, Huntingdon, where he spent two years.  
He then taught for six years in different parts of Huntingdon county, and in 
Hopewell township, Bedford county.  For the next six years, he taught school 
near Dayton, Ohio, during the winter terms, and spent the summers in an engineer 
corps on the Santa Fe railroad.  Then he spent six months, engaged in surveying, 
at Ottawa, Ill.; and then, in 1891, returned home.  A half year passed at home; 
then Mr. Benson went to Milford, Ill., to work on the C. and E.I.R.R.  Once 
more, in the fall of 1892, he came home, and took up the business of surveying 
in his native State.  In 1895, he was employed by J. Murray Africa, on the 
Pennsylvania Midland railroad.  This engagement lasted a year, and at its 
termination he returned to Tod township, where he is engaged at surveying.  His 
thorough preparation, intelligence and skill have made him successful in both 
professions, teaching and surveying.  He is a Republican.  His church connection 
is with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.