My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. BENSON, a son of Bernhard and Anna C. (Anderson) Benson, was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, March 4, 1866. His paternal grandfather, John Benson, was a native of Gottenburg, Sweden, where he was a respected and prosperous farmer and owner of about three hundred and seventy acres of land. He also served for a time in the Swedish army. His wife was Louise Oman, of Sweden; they had six children, three boys and three girls. The maternal grandfather of John B. Benson also lived and died in Sweden. Bernhard Benson (father) was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, September 8, 1832; he came to America about 1868, and lived about six months in Fredonia, this county, after which he came to Jamestown. He was a carver and furniture maker in Sweden and also followed that trade here. He is a republican in politics, and an active member of the Methodist church. His wife was Anna C. Anderson, and they are the parents of four children: John B., Anna C., Frederic C. and Jennie F. Anna married William Peterson, a mechanic of Jamestown; Frederic lives in Jamestown; Jennie is still a child at home.

John B. Benson received his education in the common schools of Jamestown, this county, but was obliged to leave school at an early age. However, he has since devoted much of his time to study and has thus gained a great deal of general information. He learned the trade of piano finishing, but when seventeen years of age, he placed himself under the instructions of a tutor, preparatory to becoming an actor. At the age of nineteen he went on the stage and played for four years — first with F. C. Bangs, then with Thomas W. Keene, both of whom presented plays of the highest order, such as “Hamlet,” ‘‘Othello,” “Richard III,” etc., in all of which Mr. Benson took heavy parts, giving entire satisfaction. When about to retire from the stage, he appeared at Jamestown in the play of “Damon and Pythias,” in the performance of which he was sustained by Mr. Keene’s entire company. The play was given on three nights before highly appreciative andiences; the third performance was by special request. Since leaving the profession, Mr. Benson has devoted very little time to theatrical pursuits, but frequently recites on special occasions or at social gatherings in Jamestown, where his ability and merit are fully appreciated. He left the stage to engage in the manufacture of desks in Jamestown, and still continues in that business. He manufactures all kinds of office desks in the factories on Steel street and West First street. Mr. Benson is a Republican in politics, also a member of the “Knights of Pythias.” On June 27, 1889, he was married to Ida L. Maplestone, a daughter of Page Maplestone, of Shippenville, Pa.