Legislator Details

Image of John Roger Benson
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com 6/26/2024

John Roger Benson
AKA:
Number of sessions served 1
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 53

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 6/5/1837
City: Manchester
County:
Country: England
 
Death
Date: 7/15/1911
City: Mount Morris, MI
County: Genesee County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 7/18/1911
City: Mount Morris, MI
County: Genesee County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery:

Marital Information:
married Mary Serena Bricet [or Bresette] of Bay City 1/7/1866; 8, Mary Elizabeth (Goodyear), Edward, William Arthur, Emily Louise (Costell0), John Charles, Robert Louis, George Anthony and 1 other

Number of Children: 8

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: teacher, farmer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
common schools, Flint Union School and State Normal at Ypsilanti; Bratton & Stratton's Business College, PA, Spring 1862

Biographical Sketch:
His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Dooley) Benson, moved to NY Nov.8,1840 and the family moved to what is now Mt. Morris twp. on May 18, 1841. He was then brought up on a farm. Taught part of several years before going to Philadelphia in Spring, 1862 Enlisted Mar. 7, 1862 & served until the end of the war in the Army of the Potomac.Returned to Mount Morris after his marriage & bought land and hewed out a farm, had about 214 acres in and adjoining the village.

Notable Facts:
He was nominated by the Patrons in Genesee Co. and the Industrials in Livingston Co. and endorsed by the Democrats in both counties for the senate of 1891-2 and was elected. Was a Republican but joined to Patrons in fall of 1889 and was a delegate to all their conventions and helped nominate county and representative tickets. Wrote 4 volumes of poetry, essays, and sketches (1848-1896 but chiefly 1860s), some of them with Civil War themes

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Sixth Legislature, 1891-1892
Chamber: Senate
Party: Patrons of Industry
Committees Served On: Banks and Corporations , Executive Business , House of Correction, Normal School, Reform School, Select Committee on Apportionment
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Mount Morris
County of Residence Genesee
District: 13
District Description: Counties of Genesee and Livingston

Date Elected: 11/4/1890
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1891
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Political Party: Patrons of Industry

Bibliography:

MIBiog1:76-7; Manual 1891 p.566; USCen 1870, 1900; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait
View Bibliographical Sources