Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 427
JOHN A. BENJAMIN

John A. BENJAMIN, of Dunlap, one of the pioneer settlers of Western Iowa, came from Du Page County, Ill., in 1857, and located at Galland's Grove for a time, where he purchased a tract of timberland and rented a farm near the Village of Manteno, Shelby County, where he made his home until 1862, and August 18, of that year (the second year of time Civil War), he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, by a rifle-ball, in the leg; he was taken prisoner of war the same day, April 30, 1864, and was held at Camden, Ark., three months. He was at Shreveport, La., and Camp Ford, Tex., and was paroled February 25, 1865. He participated in the battles of Helena, Ark., in 1863; Little Rock, Ark., the same year, and Jenkins' Ferry. The last named was one continuous fire of rifle and cannonshot. Our subject was honorably discharged June 3, 1865, after which he returned to Shelby County, and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1867, when he moved to his farm, on section 12, Harrison Township, which consisted of eighty acres, to which he has added a hundred acres, including timber-land in Shelby County. He improved and resided on this place until 1880, when he removed to Dunlap, in order to educate his children. He has retired from active service, and is enjoying the fruits of his long years of toil.

To go back earlier in his life, it may be stated that he was born in Warren County, Ind., February 26, 1831, and when three years of age his parents removed to Du Page County, Ill. He was reared and educated in the Prairie State upon a farm, attending the district school. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-four years old. October 1, 1854, he was married to Margaret BILLINGS, a native of Warren County, Ind., born January 27, 1834. After his marriage his family remained in Illinois until 1859, when they came to Iowa. His family consists of eight children: Wilson, a resident of Colorado; Alice, wife of H. S. RUNNALDS, of Council Bluffs; Robert; Allen, a resident of Dunlap; Lillie, wife of George CLARK, of Crawford County, Iowa; Frank, (deceased); James and Benton (twins). James resides at home and Benton in Utah.

Our subject is a stanch Republican, and is a member of Shields Post No. 83, of the Grand Army of the Republic; also a member of the Golden Rule Lodge No, 178, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is Past Grand, and has filled all the chairs of his lodge.

The father of our subject is still living in Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother died in 1862. They reared a family of eight children: -- William, John A., Nathan and Daniel (twins); Elizabeth, George, Walter, and Elva.

The father was a farmer by occupation, and one of the leading citizens of the county in which he lives. His son, our subject, a "chip of the old block," when he came to this county only possessed ten dollars in money, a span of horses and a wagon, and a little furniture, but to-day he is counted a well-to-do citizen.

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