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HARRY WILLIAM BENSON

Harry William Benson

Harry William Benson, physician and surgeon, was born at Argo, Nebraska, February 23, 1876, son of Torsten and Elna (Johansson) Bengtson. Torsten Benson, who was born at Vaby, Malmo, Sweden, April 18, 1836 came to America, September 15, 1868, and engaged in farming in Burt County until his death at Oakland, March 15, 1916. His wife, Elna, was born at Lanekar, Forstorp, Sweden, February 12, 1841, and died at Omaha, April 21, 1891. She was a typical pioneer mother.

Dr. Benson attended the public and high schools of Omaha, and received his M. D. from the University of Nebraska in 1903. He is a member of Phi Rho Sigma. A resident of Nebraska all his life, he has been engaged in active practice since 1903, and is a member of the American Nebraska State and Burt County Medical Association. His life as a country doctor has been an inspiration and example. He has made a splendid contribution to the life of his community, and has taken an active part in civic and welfare projects. He is a member and former president (1929-30) of the Nebraska Academy of Opthalmology and Otolaryngology, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. A life long member of the First Lutheran Church, he served as president of the Lutheran Brotherhood 1928-29, chairman of the Red Cross 1929-31, and president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1926. Dr. Benson is the author of the following: Preclinical Medicine (Burt County, December 16, 1926); Social Problems with Illustrating Cases (Woman's Club, 1930); The Crucifixion and The Phophecies (Lutheran Brotherhood, 1929); Some Complications of Para-nasal Sinus Disease (State Academy, May, 1926; Burt County, December 4, 1928); Intestinal Infection (Burt County, June 24, 1924); Hay Fever; Treatment by Pollen Extract (December 2, 1922); Etiology of Nephritis (Burt County, June 5, 1923); Gastric Ulcer (Burt County, February 2, 1931; Acute Conjunctivitis; A Report on a Case of Cerebral Abscess; Epidemic Dysentery (Printed Bulletin of the State Institution of Iowa, 1905); Synopsis of 164 Cases of Measles.

He was married to Grace Margaret Bohne at Rochester, New York, October 14, 1913. Mrs. Benson, who was born at Grand Island, Nebraska, February 14, 1882, is of German and Scotch descent. Before her marriage she was director of the child study laboratory of the Rochester public schools. There are two daughters, Louise Margaret, born December 10, 1918, and Barbara Elna, born August 31, 1921.

Dr. Benson is a Democrat, a Mason, and a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society, the Nebraskana Society, the Native Sons and Daughters of Nebraska, and the Parent-Teachers' Association. In his few spare moments he enjoys golf and reading. Residence: Oakland. (Photograph on Page 110).

John Linus Benson

John Linus Benson, a resident of Nebraska for the past 60 years, was born at Kinnekulle, Sweden, November 6, 1867, the son of Nels Johan Benson and Lena (Kajsa) Benson. His father, who came to this country in 1868, was born at Lidskopinz, Sweden October 29, 1848, and died at Saronville, Nebraska, December 17, 1930. His mother was born at Lidskopinz, October 18, 1844, and died at Saronville, June 21, 1930.

Mr. Benson has been a prominent stock buyer for over thirty years as well as an extensive feeder of hogs and cattle. He is a Democrat, has been a county commissioner, a member of the Nebraskana Society and a member of the Saron Evangelical Lutheran Church.

On November 1, 1893, he was married to Mathilde Batzeba Malm at Saronville. She was born in Sweden, January 16, 1866. To their marriage five children were born: Linnea, on July 12, 1894, who married Elmer Nuss at Saronville, November 29, 1916; Judith, on February 4, 1896, who married George Carlson, at Saronville, August 25, 1920, and who died February 17, 1926; Sigrid, on March 18, 1898, who married Alvin Hultman at Saronville, November 1, 1921; Hildur, on October 14, 1900, who married Roger Anderson at Saronville, November 17, 1920; and Bernice, on April 8, 1905, who married Leonard Johnson at Saronville, August 14, 1928. Residence: Saronville.

Nellie Gray Benson

On January 24, 1879, Nellie Gray Benson was born at Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio, daughter of Tilton and Angenora Meeker (Dean) Hill. Her father, also a native of Johnstown, was born on September 30, 1836. A farmer and lawyer, he held the rank of captain and served as a recruiting officer in the Civil War. Has ancestry was English, Irish and Scotch. He died at Lincoln, on January 23, 1906. His wife, Angenora, was born at Newark, New Jersey, September 19, 1843, and died at Silver Creek, Nebraska, January 3, 1911.

Mrs. Benson was educated in the school of Schuyler and Silver Creek, receiving a third grade teacher's certificate at the age of fourteen years. She later attended Fremont Normal College. Her marriage to DeAlton Benson was solemnized at Silver Creek on June 3, 1903. Mr. Benson was born at Silver Creek, on December 22, 1875, and is engaged in farming and the insurance business.

There are three children of this marriage, Hazel Lorene, born June 16, 1907, who is a senior at the University of Nebraska; Emmett Hill, born July 20, 1911, who is a graduate of the Lincoln School of Commerce; and Gilbert Eugene, born October 22, 1913, who graduated from high school in 1931.

In addition to her duties as a homemaker and mother, Mrs. Benson has been active in public life for a number of years. She taught school for ten years, and was a member of the board of the County Farm Bureau for seven years. After serving two years as a member of time State Farm Bureau she was elected vice president of the State Farm Bureau Federation, serving in that capacity a year and a half, and as president for three years and a half. She is the only woman ever to serve as state president of that organization. She was home and committee chairman of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation 1924-28. Also active in Democratic politics she was Democratic committeewoman from Polk County, and was elected alternate delegate to the last Democratic National Convention from the Fourth District.

She is a member of the Osceola Methodist Episcopal Church, the Pythian Sisters, (state secretary, 1909) the Royal Highlanders and The Nebraskana Society. At the present time she is a member of the Nebraska State Board of Control. with officers in the State Capitol. Residence: Lincoln. (Photograph on Page 112).

Peter L. Benthack

Peter L. Benthack, homeopathic physician and surgeon, was born at Scharmbeck, Winsen, Germany, June 26, 1867, and for the past 54 years has resided in Nebraska.

His father, Hans Peter Benthack, was born at Stelle, Germany, July 3, 1828, and was a minister. He died at Columbus, Nebraska, April 28, 1893. His wife, Kathrine Dorethea Tidge, was also born in Stelle, on April 7, 1841, and died at Columbus, Nebraska, in March, 1912.

Admitted to the practice of medicine on April 9, 1900, at Platte Center, Dr. Benthack has practiced for 32 years in Nebraska, 14 of which were at Platte Center, and 18 in Chadron. He also has some interests in farm land and livestock.

He is married to Wilhelminne Wetgen, who was born at Grosrosenweide, Winsen, Germany, June 5, 1868. Her family came to Platte County in 1881. Their children are as follows, Emil, born February 10, 1892; Amanda, born February 7, 1893; Selma, born June 18, 1894, who

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