He was born at Blechen, Germany, and at age 14 years immigrated to America. From the 1870's he was Milwaukee's foremost coal and pig-iron dealer. In 1882 at the height of his prosperity he had five outdoor yards and an extensive railroad layout to ship out 50,000 tons of coal and 75,000 tons of lumber. In 1893 he teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, but managed to survive. He was an officer and incorporator of eight companies in 1886 and 1887 with a combined capital of $7,490,000. He profited in exploiting the mines, established businesses and small liquor dealers, clothing contractors, and store clerks. When Mayor Harrison Ludington resigned to become governor of Wisconsin, Benjamin as pres. of the Common Council, was acting mayor of Milwaukee from December 27, 1875 to April, 1876 presiding until Ammi R. R. Butler was elected. In 1876 and in 1877 he was re-elected council president. In 1878 the public wanted him for mayor, but he refused to run. He was a philantropist and gave generously. He was president of Emanu-El, a member of the Old Settlers and Woodmont clubs, and afflitated with the State Historical Society, the Milwaukee Muscial Society, and the Fourth Infantry, State guard as an honorary member. His wife, one son, Sidney H. and two daughters: Mrs. Charles Eppenstein, Elgin, IL, and Mrs. Rose (Charles) Wirth survived him.
He was born at Blechen, Germany, and at age 14 years immigrated to America. From the 1870's he was Milwaukee's foremost coal and pig-iron dealer. In 1882 at the height of his prosperity he had five outdoor yards and an extensive railroad layout to ship out 50,000 tons of coal and 75,000 tons of lumber. In 1893 he teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, but managed to survive. He was an officer and incorporator of eight companies in 1886 and 1887 with a combined capital of $7,490,000. He profited in exploiting the mines, established businesses and small liquor dealers, clothing contractors, and store clerks. When Mayor Harrison Ludington resigned to become governor of Wisconsin, Benjamin as pres. of the Common Council, was acting mayor of Milwaukee from December 27, 1875 to April, 1876 presiding until Ammi R. R. Butler was elected. In 1876 and in 1877 he was re-elected council president. In 1878 the public wanted him for mayor, but he refused to run. He was a philantropist and gave generously. He was president of Emanu-El, a member of the Old Settlers and Woodmont clubs, and afflitated with the State Historical Society, the Milwaukee Muscial Society, and the Fourth Infantry, State guard as an honorary member. His wife, one son, Sidney H. and two daughters: Mrs. Charles Eppenstein, Elgin, IL, and Mrs. Rose (Charles) Wirth survived him.
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