BIO: William H. 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, pages 282-283 
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  WILLIAM H. BENSON, Eagle Foundry, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Tod 
township, November 12, 1840, son of Nicholas and Ellen (Hall) Benson.  Nicholas 
Benson was a farmer and stock raiser of Tod township.  The farm which he 
cultivated, and on which he had himself directed the improvements, comprised 
above 140 acres.  His wife, Ellen (Hall) Benson, was also a native of Tod 
township.  Their children are: Nancy, wife of John Prought, both deceased; John 
A., of Todd township; Fleetwood, deceased; Sarah, deceased, wife of William 
Feaster, of Huntingdon, Pa.; Perry, farmer, of Tod township; Mary, widow of 
Benjamin F. Houck, of Tod township; Wilson L., of Tod township; William H.; 
Elizabeth A. and Ella C., twins, the former wife of D. H. Naugle, Tod township, 
the latter widow of Jacob Fisher; and two that died in infancy.  Nicholas 
Benson's death was caused by the rolling of a log upon his breast, in 1842.  His 
death was greatly regretted; he was a good man, and popular among his 
acquaintance.  He was a Whig, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  
His wife died in 1889. 
  William H. Benson attended school in Tod township.  He afterwards spent four 
years in working for the farmers of the township, and then learned carpentry 
with his brother.  At this trade he worked for six years; Mr. Benson then rented 
a farm in Tod township for two years; after which he bought a tract of 106 
acres, in the same township, which was partly improved.  He further improved it 
by erecting a house and a barn, at a cost of $3,000, and adding other needed 
conveniences and facilities.  He is a stock raiser as well as a cultivator.  
About this time, he spent three months in Cambria county, Pa.  Mr. Benson takes 
an active interest in the affairs of the community.  He has been a school 
director for two terms.  In 1878, he was elected county commissioner, his vote 
running ahead of the ticket of his party - the Republican - by more than five 
hundred.  He was formerly a member of the I.O.O.F.  He belongs to Trough Creek 
Grange, No. 444, P. of H.; to the A.P.A., of Mount Union; and to the P.O.S. of 
A., of Trough Creek.  
  William H. Benson was married in Tod township in 1863, to Sarah A., daughter 
of Solomon Houck, farmer, of Tod township.  Their children are: Frank H., 
farmer, of Tod township; Berton A., a mechanic, of Westmoreland county, Pa.; 
Flora A.; and Annie M.  Mr. Benson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and a superintendent of the Sunday-school.