SAMUEL BENSON DEAD
Prominent Farmer Near Laurel Passes Away
After Long Illness
Samuel Benson, a prominent farmer of the southern part of Marshall county, and a resident of near Laurel for thirteen years, died at his home, one and one-half miles north of Laurel, at 11:30 Wednesday night, of cancer, with which he had suffered for the past three weeks.
Mr. Benson was born in Norway in Aug. 19, 1849. He served in the Swedish-Norwegian army for five years, and later was in the merchant marine for six years. During the time he followed the sea he visited almost every part of the world.
Mr. Benson was married to Miss Bertha Hesbey in Norway. In 1884 they came to America and settled in LeGrand to educate their children. Eight years later they moved to a farm near Laurel where they resided two years and from there they moved to Jasper county, where they lived eight years. Thirteen years ago they moved to the farm near Laurel where Mr. Benson died.
Mr. Benson is survived by his wife and five children. The latter are Barney Benson, of Stanhope; Carl Benson, south of this city; Mrs. B.L. Johnson, of near Stanhope; Mrs. George Matney, of Gilman, and Oliver Benson, who lived at home. Two brothers and one sister also survive. Of these Molger Benson resides near Laurel, and Mrs. Ellen Johnson, near Stanhope.
Mr. Benson was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Dunbar. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed, but the services will probably be held from the home Friday afternoon.
---Times-Republican, Marshalltown, July 31, 1913