Harry Bernard Benson Biography


	This biography appears on page 121 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HARRY BERNHARD BENSON. 

	Harry Bernhard Benson, of Sioux Falls, is a native of this part 
of South Dakota, born August 13, 1874, his parents being Lars and 
Hannah (Johnson) Benson. In the acquirement of an education he attended 
district school in Minnehaha county and in 1894 was graduated from the 
Sioux Falls Business College. After the completion of his studies he 
farmed for a few years and then removed to Hartford, Minnehaha county, 
where he served as bookkeeper for a number of merchants. In 1901 he 
came to Sioux Falls and was appointed deputy clerk of court, holding 
this position for four years. He was afterward for two years deputy 
United States clerk of court and in 1907 was made deputy county 
treasurer. So efficient and discriminating was his work in this office 
that in 1910 he was elected county treasurer, and reelected in 1912 
without any opposition. He discharged the duties of his responsible 
position in a farsighted and able way, and his record is a credit to 
his business ability and his public spirit. On retiring from that 
position in January, 1915, he entered upon the duties of assistant 
cashier of the Scandinavian American National Bank of Sioux Falls, to 
which position he had been chosen on its organization in June, 1914, 
and he is now serving in that capacity. 

	On the 4th of February. 1903, Mr. Benson was united in marriage 
to Miss Irma E. Waffle, a daughter of William H. Waffle, a veteran of 
the Civil war. The father enlisted on the 23d of August, 1862, in 
Company E, One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, 
and rose from the ranks to corporal and then to sergeant, receiving his 
discharge June 25, 1865, as first sergeant. He participated in all of 
the most important engagements of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Benson 
have a daughter, Irene Dolores, born March 16, 1905. 

	Mr. Benson is a member of the Lutheran church, belongs to the 
Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and gives his political allegiance to 
the republican party. He is a man of insight, ability and enterprise 
and has already accomplished some far-reaching work in the public 
service.