Benjamin P. Rawson was born in the town of Schroon, Essex County, N.Y. His father's name was Clark Rawson, and his mother's name was Laverna Pond. His paternal grandfather was Simeon Rawson, who enlisted in the war of the Revolution at the age of fourteen years, and served until he was twenty-one or the close of the war. His maternal grandfather was Benjamin Pond, who was a member of Congress in A. D. 1812, and cast his vote in said Congress in favor of the war against England. B. P. Rawson's early education was obtained at common district and select schools in his native town, after which he attended a number of terms at Newton academy, at Shoreham, Vt., where he received an academic education. In his native town and vicinity he taught school a number of years, and held many important offices of trust, among which were Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace; was also engaged in the practice of law, and engaged in general merchandisin. He emigrated to Indiana in the fall of 1852, where he resided for a year; he then returned to New York. In July, 1858, he came to Strawberry Point, Clayton County, Iowa, where he has redsided ever since. In 1860, under the administration of James Buchanan, he was appointed Assistant Marshall to take the United States census in the thirteen western townships of Clayton Coutny, including Reed, Volga, and Elk. He then pursued the business of collection, insurance, real estate, and claim agent, which business he still pursues. In the fall of A. D. 1866, under the administration of Andrew Johnson, he was appointed Postmaster at Strawberry Point, which he held untill the spring or summer of 1869. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 701-702 |