Eugene Benthall

BENTHALL

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/20/2010 at 15:28:26

Autobiography

The enterprising little town of Royal finds in the representative business interests Eugene Benthall, proprietor of the West End drug store. Strong purpose and indefatigable energy, by the help of good lawyers in dodging the grand jury, have constituted the basis upon which he has builded his success, and though he is yet a young man he occupies a creditable place in commercial circles.

My parents were John M. and Elizabeth D. (Wilson) Benthall, whom I first met when quite small, on December 7th, 1871, at Quasqueton, Buchanan county, Iowa.

My father did not think I would pay to raise, but by feeding me elephant’s milk through a goose quill I managed to pull through and thrive.

My father was born at Princeton, Massachusetts, and mother in Genesee county, New York, and is still living, keeping house for her son over the store. Benthall’s have always made it a rule to marry late in life and pan out small potatoes and few in a hill.

I was the elder of two children: My sister, Mary E., born February 3, 1877, died on the 10th day of June, 1900.

I began my education in the Quasqueton school, but quituated before half through to save the teacher from nervous procrastination. The rest of my education I obtained in the school of experience, which is absolutely compulsory education, and have learned enough to know I know but little yet.

I date my residence in Clay county from August 15, 1892, and entered the employ of George B. Bender, a druggist of Spencer. That I was capable, faithful and energetic is indicated by my five years’ service at Spencer, when I was promoted to run his branch store at Dickens on the 1st day of December, 1897, to August, 1900. During the winter of 1900-01 the West End Drug store building at Royal was constructed; on April (fool) 1st, I opened for business with a well selected line of goods which I have kept up.

In politics I am a socialist. If I should change to republican I should expect an office the same as other office seekers have done. I belong to the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah Degree. Those who don’t know me say, "I may not be crazy, but I don’t talk just right." I have always tried to be reliable in business, hoping it will carry me forward on the high road to success. If any friends don’t find me to their liking I didn’t find them to my liking and I probably found them first.

I have always tried to be a booster and public-spirited, and have taken an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, especially the baseball association.

After you read the above and it produces the colliwobbles or palpitation of the imagination you can get a cure at the West End drug store.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 435.