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WILLIAM W. BENSON, Superintendent of water supply, Iowa Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, was born in Wellsville, Northeastern Ohio, Feb. 10, 1836, and is the son of John and Sarah (Wells) Benson. He was reared to manhood in Crawford County, of his native State, and was trained to mechanical pursuits. Mr. Benson moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1859, and located in Benton County on a farm. He was engaged in contracting and building, and in 1862 moved to Belle Plaine, where he has resided continuously since. He continued his former business till 1874, when he engaged with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company to take charge of the water supply on a division of their road. He performed the duties required of him in such a satisfactory manner that he was appointed Superintendent of the Iowa Division in 1880, since which time he has served the company in that capacity. His duties involve the care of all the water supplies over 740 miles of road.Mr. Benson's marriage was celebrated in Crawford County, Ohio, in March, 1857, with Miss Catharine Kurtz. Mrs. Benson was born in Crawford County, Ohio. Three children have blest their union, one boy and two girls: Julia F., the eldest, was born in Ohio, and is the wife of W. J. Guinn, of this county; John W. was born in this county; he married Miss Leila Ward, and resides in Marshall, this State, and is a passenger conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. Grace D., the youngest, was born at Belle Plaine and is a student of Belle Plaine city schools.
Mr. Benson is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F., of high standing in each. He is also a member of Hope Lodge. No. 178, of Mt. Horeb Chapter, No. 45, of St. Bernard Commandery No. 14, and of Molay Consistory 32d degree of Lyons, Iowa; of Belle Plaine Lodge. I. O. O. F., No. 151, and of Belle Plaine Camp, No. 48.
Mr. Benson has now been connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company in a responsible position for eleven years, which fact speaks in no uncertain tone as to his capability and trustworthiness.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 259-260.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on January 28th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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