The Quincy Daily Journal, Monday, May 15, 1893; page 4.
THE DEATH
OF A PIONEER
Mr. Robert S. Benneson,
One Time Mayor of Quincy,
Passed Away Sunday Morning
of Heart Failure.
Biographical Sketch of
This Early Settler --
How He Accidentally
Located Here.
"Some men are born to prosperity, while others carve it out of the very desert of life, and rear an oasis of success in its midst."
Of the latter class was Mr. Robert S. Benneson, who died at his home, No. 519 Broadway, early Sunday morning.
Several days ago, Mr. Benneson took a cold, and since then, he has been confined to the house. Last Tuesday, he was able to come downstairs, but since that time, his condition grew worse, and yesterday morning, he died of heart failure.
Deceased had lived an industrious life, the last fifty-six years of which was closely identified with the progress and history of Quincy.
He was born near the village of Newark, Delaware, December 5, 1807. His father, Thomas Benneson, was a native of the Isle of Erin, and by occupation was a boot and shoe dealer the greater portion of his life. He was also a preacher of the Congregational church, and his services were always at the command of his church, though he would never receive pay for his services.
The mother of the deceased was Jane Carlyle, [also] a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States shortly after her marriage, and in this country passed the remainder of her days.
At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch commenced carrying the mail between Christiana Ridge and Newark, and continued to do this for four years, when he returned to his father's and learned the shoemaker's trade. In his native town, his scholastic education was acquired.
In 1828, he went to Philadelphia, and learned the trade of carpenter, remaining in that city nine years, following the trade of builder and contractor. On August 16, 1837, he came to Quincy, and after a few years devoted to his trade, he embarked in the lumber business.
When Mr. Benneson started West, it was in a general way, he having no fixed destination or place to locate. He had heard of Alton, Illinois, and started for that town by way of St. Louis. In St. Louis, he made the acquaintance of Seth C. Sherman, who will, no doubt, be recalled by some of our older citizens. Mr. Sherman had made up his mind to locate in Quincy, and endeavored to induce Mr. Benneson to locate here, also. But, Mr. Benneson had heard a great deal of Alton, and it was his desire to see the place before agreeing to go to Quincy with Mr. Sherman.
In company with Mr. Sherman, Mr. Benneson took passage on a steamboat, and when the boat landed at Alton, Mr. Benneson took a hurried look over the town and at once concluded that the town would never amount to much. Being disappointed in the place, he returned the boat, and told Mr. Sherman that he would go to Quincy with him.
Arriving at Quincy, Mr. Benneson found his way up over the bluffs, and going as far as Washington park, which was then covered with hazel brush, decided that the village had a bright future, and that some day it would be a large city. He promptly returned to the boat. On his way, he met a man with a team of oxen drawing a sled, for wagons were scarce in those days. He engaged the man to drag his tool chest up the hill on the sled, there being no streets in the town at the time, and with $100 in money, Mr. Benneson settled down in Quincy, his future home.
On the night of his first day here, he secured a position at his trade. A building was being erected on Boscobel farm, and Mr. Benneson was one of the men who put the building up, going to work on the second day after his arrival here.
While occupied as carpenter and contractor, he erected many of the best houses and residences. He continued at the carpenter trade up to 1840, when he associated with William Dickhut, and engaged in the lumber trade. The firm continued for sixteen years, and upon its dissolution, he formed a co-partnership with John W. Corrill and N. D. Benneson, under the firm name of Benneson & Co., which lasted for four years, when Mr. Benneson withdrew and engaged in buying and improving real estate. At this, he was eminently successful.
In 1842, he went to Grand Rapids Wisconsin and engaged in running lumber on the Wisconsin river. He was only away for a few months, however, when he returned and gave his attention to his lumber interests here.
In his younger days, Mr. Benneson was a strong advocate of the public school system, and it was through his own efforts, coupled with those of Capt. Artus, that the legislature passed laws which resulted in much good for the schools of this city.
In 1870, he was elected a member of the board of education, and for several years was president of the honorable and useful body. He was a member of the board until 1886, when he moved out of the Second Ward and took up his residence in the First Ward.
As each ward was entitled to but one representative in the board, he was necessarily compelled to resign. He was an earnest advocate of the public school system, and, in fact, all educational institutions.
Mr. Benneson served as alderman three years, and in 1861, was elected mayor of Quincy on the republican ticket. He was a stockholder, and director of the Quincy Savings and Insurance company, which was subsequently merged into the First National Bank, and for several years, he was one of its directors.
He was one of the organizers of the A. H. Whitney organ company. With his own hands, he built the First Unitarian Church, on Maine street between Third and Fourth; and was a devout member of the church up to his demise. He generously donated the ground on which the present Unitarian church is erected. He has been a worthy member of the church for over half a century, and for many years, has served as one of its trustees.
During his long years of residence, he has been a quiet dispenser of charity, in that practical way which experience has demonstrated as giving the best results. His accumulation has been very considerable, and besides being the owner of fine business buildings, and a factory building, he is the owner of many dwelling houses.
He married Electa Ann Park, December 4, 1842. She was born in Royalton, Vermont, October 5, 1810, and died December 14, 1879, having become the mother of four daughters: Alice A., wife of Henry A. Farwell of Massachusetts; Anna J., wife of Dr. Robert W. McMahan of Quincy; Susan C., wife of George M. Janes of Quincy; and Cora Agnes, a graduate of the University of Michigan as well as of the law department of that institution. She [Cora Agnes Benneson] also has had the honor of having held a fellowship at Bryn Mawr college, Pennsylvania. Her education has been supplemented by extensive travels. Of late she has been engaged in lecturing and literary work at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mrs. [Anna J. Benneson] McMahan is also a woman of broad literary attainments. She has been a contributor to the Forum, and other magazines and periodicals of that nature.
Mr. Benneson married his second wife, Miss Phoebe A. Norris, a resident of Melrose, near Boston Massachusetts, in October of 1884. She is a lady of culture and education. She was formerly a teacher, while for ten years previous to her marriage, she was a member of the school board at Melrose, and was also a trustee of the public library.
Mr. Benneson was in his eighty-sixth year. He showed his age but little, either mentally or physically. His knowledge of men, like his knowledge of business affairs, was of a broad character, acquired by his long years of experience and close observation. His accumulation of wealth, in no way changed his manner. To know him was to be his friend, and to be his friend was to regard him and esteem him highly. His death, coming so unexpectedly, is learned with a feeling of deepest regret everywhere.
Among Mr. Benneson's old friends who came to Quincy in the early days, and through whose efforts it was largely built up to what it is today, were the late Edward Wells, who was making barrels when Mr. Benneson was building houses; and Gershon B. Dimmick; Gen. Morgan; and others.
THE DEATH
OF A PIONEER
Mr. Robert S. Benneson,
One Time Mayor of Quincy,
Passed Away Sunday Morning
of Heart Failure.
Biographical Sketch of
This Early Settler --
How He Accidentally
Located Here.
"Some men are born to prosperity, while others carve it out of the very desert of life, and rear an oasis of success in its midst."
Of the latter class was Mr. Robert S. Benneson, who died at his home, No. 519 Broadway, early Sunday morning.
Several days ago, Mr. Benneson took a cold, and since then, he has been confined to the house. Last Tuesday, he was able to come downstairs, but since that time, his condition grew worse, and yesterday morning, he died of heart failure.
Deceased had lived an industrious life, the last fifty-six years of which was closely identified with the progress and history of Quincy.
He was born near the village of Newark, Delaware, December 5, 1807. His father, Thomas Benneson, was a native of the Isle of Erin, and by occupation was a boot and shoe dealer the greater portion of his life. He was also a preacher of the Congregational church, and his services were always at the command of his church, though he would never receive pay for his services.
The mother of the deceased was Jane Carlyle, [also] a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States shortly after her marriage, and in this country passed the remainder of her days.
At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch commenced carrying the mail between Christiana Ridge and Newark, and continued to do this for four years, when he returned to his father's and learned the shoemaker's trade. In his native town, his scholastic education was acquired.
In 1828, he went to Philadelphia, and learned the trade of carpenter, remaining in that city nine years, following the trade of builder and contractor. On August 16, 1837, he came to Quincy, and after a few years devoted to his trade, he embarked in the lumber business.
When Mr. Benneson started West, it was in a general way, he having no fixed destination or place to locate. He had heard of Alton, Illinois, and started for that town by way of St. Louis. In St. Louis, he made the acquaintance of Seth C. Sherman, who will, no doubt, be recalled by some of our older citizens. Mr. Sherman had made up his mind to locate in Quincy, and endeavored to induce Mr. Benneson to locate here, also. But, Mr. Benneson had heard a great deal of Alton, and it was his desire to see the place before agreeing to go to Quincy with Mr. Sherman.
In company with Mr. Sherman, Mr. Benneson took passage on a steamboat, and when the boat landed at Alton, Mr. Benneson took a hurried look over the town and at once concluded that the town would never amount to much. Being disappointed in the place, he returned the boat, and told Mr. Sherman that he would go to Quincy with him.
Arriving at Quincy, Mr. Benneson found his way up over the bluffs, and going as far as Washington park, which was then covered with hazel brush, decided that the village had a bright future, and that some day it would be a large city. He promptly returned to the boat. On his way, he met a man with a team of oxen drawing a sled, for wagons were scarce in those days. He engaged the man to drag his tool chest up the hill on the sled, there being no streets in the town at the time, and with $100 in money, Mr. Benneson settled down in Quincy, his future home.
On the night of his first day here, he secured a position at his trade. A building was being erected on Boscobel farm, and Mr. Benneson was one of the men who put the building up, going to work on the second day after his arrival here.
While occupied as carpenter and contractor, he erected many of the best houses and residences. He continued at the carpenter trade up to 1840, when he associated with William Dickhut, and engaged in the lumber trade. The firm continued for sixteen years, and upon its dissolution, he formed a co-partnership with John W. Corrill and N. D. Benneson, under the firm name of Benneson & Co., which lasted for four years, when Mr. Benneson withdrew and engaged in buying and improving real estate. At this, he was eminently successful.
In 1842, he went to Grand Rapids Wisconsin and engaged in running lumber on the Wisconsin river. He was only away for a few months, however, when he returned and gave his attention to his lumber interests here.
In his younger days, Mr. Benneson was a strong advocate of the public school system, and it was through his own efforts, coupled with those of Capt. Artus, that the legislature passed laws which resulted in much good for the schools of this city.
In 1870, he was elected a member of the board of education, and for several years was president of the honorable and useful body. He was a member of the board until 1886, when he moved out of the Second Ward and took up his residence in the First Ward.
As each ward was entitled to but one representative in the board, he was necessarily compelled to resign. He was an earnest advocate of the public school system, and, in fact, all educational institutions.
Mr. Benneson served as alderman three years, and in 1861, was elected mayor of Quincy on the republican ticket. He was a stockholder, and director of the Quincy Savings and Insurance company, which was subsequently merged into the First National Bank, and for several years, he was one of its directors.
He was one of the organizers of the A. H. Whitney organ company. With his own hands, he built the First Unitarian Church, on Maine street between Third and Fourth; and was a devout member of the church up to his demise. He generously donated the ground on which the present Unitarian church is erected. He has been a worthy member of the church for over half a century, and for many years, has served as one of its trustees.
During his long years of residence, he has been a quiet dispenser of charity, in that practical way which experience has demonstrated as giving the best results. His accumulation has been very considerable, and besides being the owner of fine business buildings, and a factory building, he is the owner of many dwelling houses.
He married Electa Ann Park, December 4, 1842. She was born in Royalton, Vermont, October 5, 1810, and died December 14, 1879, having become the mother of four daughters: Alice A., wife of Henry A. Farwell of Massachusetts; Anna J., wife of Dr. Robert W. McMahan of Quincy; Susan C., wife of George M. Janes of Quincy; and Cora Agnes, a graduate of the University of Michigan as well as of the law department of that institution. She [Cora Agnes Benneson] also has had the honor of having held a fellowship at Bryn Mawr college, Pennsylvania. Her education has been supplemented by extensive travels. Of late she has been engaged in lecturing and literary work at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mrs. [Anna J. Benneson] McMahan is also a woman of broad literary attainments. She has been a contributor to the Forum, and other magazines and periodicals of that nature.
Mr. Benneson married his second wife, Miss Phoebe A. Norris, a resident of Melrose, near Boston Massachusetts, in October of 1884. She is a lady of culture and education. She was formerly a teacher, while for ten years previous to her marriage, she was a member of the school board at Melrose, and was also a trustee of the public library.
Mr. Benneson was in his eighty-sixth year. He showed his age but little, either mentally or physically. His knowledge of men, like his knowledge of business affairs, was of a broad character, acquired by his long years of experience and close observation. His accumulation of wealth, in no way changed his manner. To know him was to be his friend, and to be his friend was to regard him and esteem him highly. His death, coming so unexpectedly, is learned with a feeling of deepest regret everywhere.
Among Mr. Benneson's old friends who came to Quincy in the early days, and through whose efforts it was largely built up to what it is today, were the late Edward Wells, who was making barrels when Mr. Benneson was building houses; and Gershon B. Dimmick; Gen. Morgan; and others.
The Quincy Daily Journal, Monday, May 15, 1893; page 4.
THE DEATH
OF A PIONEER
Mr. Robert S. Benneson,
One Time Mayor of Quincy,
Passed Away Sunday Morning
of Heart Failure.
Biographical Sketch of
This Early Settler --
How He Accidentally
Located Here.
"Some men are born to prosperity, while others carve it out of the very desert of life, and rear an oasis of success in its midst."
Of the latter class was Mr. Robert S. Benneson, who died at his home, No. 519 Broadway, early Sunday morning.
Several days ago, Mr. Benneson took a cold, and since then, he has been confined to the house. Last Tuesday, he was able to come downstairs, but since that time, his condition grew worse, and yesterday morning, he died of heart failure.
Deceased had lived an industrious life, the last fifty-six years of which was closely identified with the progress and history of Quincy.
He was born near the village of Newark, Delaware, December 5, 1807. His father, Thomas Benneson, was a native of the Isle of Erin, and by occupation was a boot and shoe dealer the greater portion of his life. He was also a preacher of the Congregational church, and his services were always at the command of his church, though he would never receive pay for his services.
The mother of the deceased was Jane Carlyle, [also] a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States shortly after her marriage, and in this country passed the remainder of her days.
At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch commenced carrying the mail between Christiana Ridge and Newark, and continued to do this for four years, when he returned to his father's and learned the shoemaker's trade. In his native town, his scholastic education was acquired.
In 1828, he went to Philadelphia, and learned the trade of carpenter, remaining in that city nine years, following the trade of builder and contractor. On August 16, 1837, he came to Quincy, and after a few years devoted to his trade, he embarked in the lumber business.
When Mr. Benneson started West, it was in a general way, he having no fixed destination or place to locate. He had heard of Alton, Illinois, and started for that town by way of St. Louis. In St. Louis, he made the acquaintance of Seth C. Sherman, who will, no doubt, be recalled by some of our older citizens. Mr. Sherman had made up his mind to locate in Quincy, and endeavored to induce Mr. Benneson to locate here, also. But, Mr. Benneson had heard a great deal of Alton, and it was his desire to see the place before agreeing to go to Quincy with Mr. Sherman.
In company with Mr. Sherman, Mr. Benneson took passage on a steamboat, and when the boat landed at Alton, Mr. Benneson took a hurried look over the town and at once concluded that the town would never amount to much. Being disappointed in the place, he returned the boat, and told Mr. Sherman that he would go to Quincy with him.
Arriving at Quincy, Mr. Benneson found his way up over the bluffs, and going as far as Washington park, which was then covered with hazel brush, decided that the village had a bright future, and that some day it would be a large city. He promptly returned to the boat. On his way, he met a man with a team of oxen drawing a sled, for wagons were scarce in those days. He engaged the man to drag his tool chest up the hill on the sled, there being no streets in the town at the time, and with $100 in money, Mr. Benneson settled down in Quincy, his future home.
On the night of his first day here, he secured a position at his trade. A building was being erected on Boscobel farm, and Mr. Benneson was one of the men who put the building up, going to work on the second day after his arrival here.
While occupied as carpenter and contractor, he erected many of the best houses and residences. He continued at the carpenter trade up to 1840, when he associated with William Dickhut, and engaged in the lumber trade. The firm continued for sixteen years, and upon its dissolution, he formed a co-partnership with John W. Corrill and N. D. Benneson, under the firm name of Benneson & Co., which lasted for four years, when Mr. Benneson withdrew and engaged in buying and improving real estate. At this, he was eminently successful.
In 1842, he went to Grand Rapids Wisconsin and engaged in running lumber on the Wisconsin river. He was only away for a few months, however, when he returned and gave his attention to his lumber interests here.
In his younger days, Mr. Benneson was a strong advocate of the public school system, and it was through his own efforts, coupled with those of Capt. Artus, that the legislature passed laws which resulted in much good for the schools of this city.
In 1870, he was elected a member of the board of education, and for several years was president of the honorable and useful body. He was a member of the board until 1886, when he moved out of the Second Ward and took up his residence in the First Ward.
As each ward was entitled to but one representative in the board, he was necessarily compelled to resign. He was an earnest advocate of the public school system, and, in fact, all educational institutions.
Mr. Benneson served as alderman three years, and in 1861, was elected mayor of Quincy on the republican ticket. He was a stockholder, and director of the Quincy Savings and Insurance company, which was subsequently merged into the First National Bank, and for several years, he was one of its directors.
He was one of the organizers of the A. H. Whitney organ company. With his own hands, he built the First Unitarian Church, on Maine street between Third and Fourth; and was a devout member of the church up to his demise. He generously donated the ground on which the present Unitarian church is erected. He has been a worthy member of the church for over half a century, and for many years, has served as one of its trustees.
During his long years of residence, he has been a quiet dispenser of charity, in that practical way which experience has demonstrated as giving the best results. His accumulation has been very considerable, and besides being the owner of fine business buildings, and a factory building, he is the owner of many dwelling houses.
He married Electa Ann Park, December 4, 1842. She was born in Royalton, Vermont, October 5, 1810, and died December 14, 1879, having become the mother of four daughters: Alice A., wife of Henry A. Farwell of Massachusetts; Anna J., wife of Dr. Robert W. McMahan of Quincy; Susan C., wife of George M. Janes of Quincy; and Cora Agnes, a graduate of the University of Michigan as well as of the law department of that institution. She [Cora Agnes Benneson] also has had the honor of having held a fellowship at Bryn Mawr college, Pennsylvania. Her education has been supplemented by extensive travels. Of late she has been engaged in lecturing and literary work at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mrs. [Anna J. Benneson] McMahan is also a woman of broad literary attainments. She has been a contributor to the Forum, and other magazines and periodicals of that nature.
Mr. Benneson married his second wife, Miss Phoebe A. Norris, a resident of Melrose, near Boston Massachusetts, in October of 1884. She is a lady of culture and education. She was formerly a teacher, while for ten years previous to her marriage, she was a member of the school board at Melrose, and was also a trustee of the public library.
Mr. Benneson was in his eighty-sixth year. He showed his age but little, either mentally or physically. His knowledge of men, like his knowledge of business affairs, was of a broad character, acquired by his long years of experience and close observation. His accumulation of wealth, in no way changed his manner. To know him was to be his friend, and to be his friend was to regard him and esteem him highly. His death, coming so unexpectedly, is learned with a feeling of deepest regret everywhere.
Among Mr. Benneson's old friends who came to Quincy in the early days, and through whose efforts it was largely built up to what it is today, were the late Edward Wells, who was making barrels when Mr. Benneson was building houses; and Gershon B. Dimmick; Gen. Morgan; and others.
THE DEATH
OF A PIONEER
Mr. Robert S. Benneson,
One Time Mayor of Quincy,
Passed Away Sunday Morning
of Heart Failure.
Biographical Sketch of
This Early Settler --
How He Accidentally
Located Here.
"Some men are born to prosperity, while others carve it out of the very desert of life, and rear an oasis of success in its midst."
Of the latter class was Mr. Robert S. Benneson, who died at his home, No. 519 Broadway, early Sunday morning.
Several days ago, Mr. Benneson took a cold, and since then, he has been confined to the house. Last Tuesday, he was able to come downstairs, but since that time, his condition grew worse, and yesterday morning, he died of heart failure.
Deceased had lived an industrious life, the last fifty-six years of which was closely identified with the progress and history of Quincy.
He was born near the village of Newark, Delaware, December 5, 1807. His father, Thomas Benneson, was a native of the Isle of Erin, and by occupation was a boot and shoe dealer the greater portion of his life. He was also a preacher of the Congregational church, and his services were always at the command of his church, though he would never receive pay for his services.
The mother of the deceased was Jane Carlyle, [also] a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States shortly after her marriage, and in this country passed the remainder of her days.
At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch commenced carrying the mail between Christiana Ridge and Newark, and continued to do this for four years, when he returned to his father's and learned the shoemaker's trade. In his native town, his scholastic education was acquired.
In 1828, he went to Philadelphia, and learned the trade of carpenter, remaining in that city nine years, following the trade of builder and contractor. On August 16, 1837, he came to Quincy, and after a few years devoted to his trade, he embarked in the lumber business.
When Mr. Benneson started West, it was in a general way, he having no fixed destination or place to locate. He had heard of Alton, Illinois, and started for that town by way of St. Louis. In St. Louis, he made the acquaintance of Seth C. Sherman, who will, no doubt, be recalled by some of our older citizens. Mr. Sherman had made up his mind to locate in Quincy, and endeavored to induce Mr. Benneson to locate here, also. But, Mr. Benneson had heard a great deal of Alton, and it was his desire to see the place before agreeing to go to Quincy with Mr. Sherman.
In company with Mr. Sherman, Mr. Benneson took passage on a steamboat, and when the boat landed at Alton, Mr. Benneson took a hurried look over the town and at once concluded that the town would never amount to much. Being disappointed in the place, he returned the boat, and told Mr. Sherman that he would go to Quincy with him.
Arriving at Quincy, Mr. Benneson found his way up over the bluffs, and going as far as Washington park, which was then covered with hazel brush, decided that the village had a bright future, and that some day it would be a large city. He promptly returned to the boat. On his way, he met a man with a team of oxen drawing a sled, for wagons were scarce in those days. He engaged the man to drag his tool chest up the hill on the sled, there being no streets in the town at the time, and with $100 in money, Mr. Benneson settled down in Quincy, his future home.
On the night of his first day here, he secured a position at his trade. A building was being erected on Boscobel farm, and Mr. Benneson was one of the men who put the building up, going to work on the second day after his arrival here.
While occupied as carpenter and contractor, he erected many of the best houses and residences. He continued at the carpenter trade up to 1840, when he associated with William Dickhut, and engaged in the lumber trade. The firm continued for sixteen years, and upon its dissolution, he formed a co-partnership with John W. Corrill and N. D. Benneson, under the firm name of Benneson & Co., which lasted for four years, when Mr. Benneson withdrew and engaged in buying and improving real estate. At this, he was eminently successful.
In 1842, he went to Grand Rapids Wisconsin and engaged in running lumber on the Wisconsin river. He was only away for a few months, however, when he returned and gave his attention to his lumber interests here.
In his younger days, Mr. Benneson was a strong advocate of the public school system, and it was through his own efforts, coupled with those of Capt. Artus, that the legislature passed laws which resulted in much good for the schools of this city.
In 1870, he was elected a member of the board of education, and for several years was president of the honorable and useful body. He was a member of the board until 1886, when he moved out of the Second Ward and took up his residence in the First Ward.
As each ward was entitled to but one representative in the board, he was necessarily compelled to resign. He was an earnest advocate of the public school system, and, in fact, all educational institutions.
Mr. Benneson served as alderman three years, and in 1861, was elected mayor of Quincy on the republican ticket. He was a stockholder, and director of the Quincy Savings and Insurance company, which was subsequently merged into the First National Bank, and for several years, he was one of its directors.
He was one of the organizers of the A. H. Whitney organ company. With his own hands, he built the First Unitarian Church, on Maine street between Third and Fourth; and was a devout member of the church up to his demise. He generously donated the ground on which the present Unitarian church is erected. He has been a worthy member of the church for over half a century, and for many years, has served as one of its trustees.
During his long years of residence, he has been a quiet dispenser of charity, in that practical way which experience has demonstrated as giving the best results. His accumulation has been very considerable, and besides being the owner of fine business buildings, and a factory building, he is the owner of many dwelling houses.
He married Electa Ann Park, December 4, 1842. She was born in Royalton, Vermont, October 5, 1810, and died December 14, 1879, having become the mother of four daughters: Alice A., wife of Henry A. Farwell of Massachusetts; Anna J., wife of Dr. Robert W. McMahan of Quincy; Susan C., wife of George M. Janes of Quincy; and Cora Agnes, a graduate of the University of Michigan as well as of the law department of that institution. She [Cora Agnes Benneson] also has had the honor of having held a fellowship at Bryn Mawr college, Pennsylvania. Her education has been supplemented by extensive travels. Of late she has been engaged in lecturing and literary work at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mrs. [Anna J. Benneson] McMahan is also a woman of broad literary attainments. She has been a contributor to the Forum, and other magazines and periodicals of that nature.
Mr. Benneson married his second wife, Miss Phoebe A. Norris, a resident of Melrose, near Boston Massachusetts, in October of 1884. She is a lady of culture and education. She was formerly a teacher, while for ten years previous to her marriage, she was a member of the school board at Melrose, and was also a trustee of the public library.
Mr. Benneson was in his eighty-sixth year. He showed his age but little, either mentally or physically. His knowledge of men, like his knowledge of business affairs, was of a broad character, acquired by his long years of experience and close observation. His accumulation of wealth, in no way changed his manner. To know him was to be his friend, and to be his friend was to regard him and esteem him highly. His death, coming so unexpectedly, is learned with a feeling of deepest regret everywhere.
Among Mr. Benneson's old friends who came to Quincy in the early days, and through whose efforts it was largely built up to what it is today, were the late Edward Wells, who was making barrels when Mr. Benneson was building houses; and Gershon B. Dimmick; Gen. Morgan; and others.
Family Members
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