BIO: William H. BENSON, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ 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 __________________________________________________________ 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.