For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 581
R. FRANK BENHAM....It requires a man of courage, strength of aharacter and good judgment to fill the office of sheriff in such a way as to meet the approval of the tax-payers of a county. The subject of this review is now sheriff of Muscatine county, Iowa, and has so conducted the office as to merit the commendation of all law-abiding citizens, also promoting a wholesome regard for law throughout the county.He was born in Versailles, Ripley county, Indiana, March 13, 1864, and is a son of Milford and Ann ( Smith ) Benham, both of whom were born in Indiana. The father was a native of Ripley county and for years was editor of the Versailles Republican. On the evening of April 14, 1865, he and his family landed from a Mississippi river steamboat, at Muscatine, where he still resides. He engaged as buyer and shipper of grain and hay for a number of years and for the past twenty years has been identified with the agricultural implement business. He has taken great interest in educational affairs and served with credit as president of the school board of Muscatine. Although he never urged his claims for public office, he was elected to the city council as alderman of the third ward for several terms, being known as one of the most valued members of that body. The mother of our subject was called from earthly scenes in March, 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. James Benham, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Tennessee and was of English descent. He engaged in farming and emigrated to Indiana, being one of the sturdy pioneers of that state. There were ten children in his family : Milford, Jacob L., James, Harrison, Andrew, William, deceased, Lina, Zora, Susan, and Ellen,deceased. The maternal grandfather was John Wesley Smith, who was a native of new York but removed to Indiana, becoming county treasurer of Ripley county. His wife, who was Mary Kennedy before her marriage, lived to the age of seventy-nine years but her husband died in middle life. Three children blessed their union : Robert K, a soldier of the Civil war, who was killed at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky ; Carl W., a prominent physician of Muscatine ; and Ann, who became Mrs. Benham. To Milford and Ann Benham four children were born : R. Frank, our subject ; J. Mell, of Muscatine ; Bert C., also of Muscatine ; and Ettie, the wife of C. S. Guthrie, of Muscatine.
R. Frank Benham was brought to Muscatine by his parents at the age of one year, one month and one day and has since made his home in this city. He was educated in the public schools and after laying his books aside assisted his father in the implement business until 1895, when the latter temporarily retired. Our subject then became associated with Fred Giessler in the same line, continuing with marked success until 1907, when he gave up mercantile pursuits having been elected sheriff of Muscatine county. This position he has filled to the general satisfaction of voters of the county irrespective of their party affiliation, being also a prime favorite of the judges of the court on account of the fidelity with which he performs his duties.
On the 10th of May, 1894, Mr. Benham was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie Lee, the widow of Melvin Lee. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Rosenbach, both of whom were born in Germany. Her father came to Iowa about 1855 and settled at Buffalo, where he still resides at the age of eighty-five years. His wife died after having passed her seventieth year. There were eight children in their family : Julius ; August ; Gustave ; Louis ; Minnie, now Mrs. Benham ; Louisa, the wife of Henry herman ; Mrs. Edward Swan ; and Alvina, now Mrs. P. M. Johnson, of Sioux City, Iowa . Mrs. Benham was the mother of two children by her former marriage : Fred Lee, who married Ethel Girard ; and Edna, now the wife of Henry Lashanzkey.
Sheriff Benham is highly sociable in disposition but has limited his membership to one fraternal order, The Knight of Pythias, whose teachings of brotherhood he heartily accepts. A resident of Muscatine county for forty-five years, he is well acquainted with its resources and possibilities and few men have a wider personal acquaintance with its people. It is entirely within the bounds of truth to say that he is one of the most popular citizens in the county.
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