~Page 435~

Elias Benson

Elias Benson, the junior member of the firm of Benson Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was born near Warberg, Sweden, July 7, 1848, and is a son of Ben Swanson and Anna (Marckuson) Benson, who never left their native land, but in Sweden lived the lives of farming people. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters. The latter died in the old country but the brothers came to the United States. Andrew crossed the Atlantic in 1867 and is a prosperous farmer of Delaware County, Iowa. Two years later John and August sought homes in the New World, and both are now residents of this county, the former a well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Valley Township, and the latter, the senior member of the firm of Benson Bros.

Elias was the last to come over the ocean. He was reared on a farm and had no opportunities for education except what his mother taught him. As soon as he was old enough he had to earn his own living by working on a farm. In 1870, he formed the determination to follow his brothers and on the 22nd of April sailed for America, arriving in Quebec on the 10th of May. He at once made his way to Clayton County, Iowa, and the first year worked on a farm for wages. The following winter he went to school working for his board, and subsequently was employed as a farm hand until 1874, when he worked for a short time on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. The two succeeding years he spent in the employ of J. L. Hagensick of McGregor, Iowa, and in March, 1877, went to Washington, and the same year visited California. In the spring of 1879 we find him working in the timber and on mining ditches for the Spring Valley Mining and Irrigating Company, in whose employ he remained two winters. His return to Iowa occurred in December, 1880, after which he became a grain and stock dealer of Clermont, which business he followed for two years, when in 1883, he became a member of the firm of Benson Bros.

On the 7th of July of the same year Mr. Benson was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Myers, who was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, October 27, 1860, and is of German descent. Two children grace their union - Anna Matilda and Clara May. Mr. Benson is a Democrat in politics and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. He has traveled over much of this country, and his life has been an interesting and fruitful one in which by industry and close attention to business he has acquired a handsome competence.