HON. JAMES BENSON is the sole proprietor iMV of the Centralia Iron Works and is recogized as one of the leading and progressive business men of the city. He is now serving as Mayor, and throughout the community he is honored and respected.
The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Manchester, England, February 28, 1838, and is a son of William Benson, who was born and reared in Manchester, and there married Margaret Bullon. He served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade under John Mellen, master mechanic of the Manchester & Darlington Railroad, and when twenty-two years of age became foreman of the railroad shops.
In 1839 William Benson emigrated to America and secured employment in a large marine machine shop of New York City. Three years later he went to Williamsburg, N. Y., and became engineer in a distillery. After being there a year he took charge of the concern and learned the business, which lie conducted for several years as manager.
After the works burned in 1848 he emigrated westward to Chicago, where he worked as a machinst for a railroad company for six months. During the succeeding five years he had charge of a distillery in Wilmington, Will County, ILL., and then went to St. Louis, where he took charge of the Henry T. Blows Lead and Oil Works. There he continued until 1855, when he came to Centralia and accepted a position as machinist in the shops of the Illinois Central Railroad. A few months later he took charge of the foundry which is now the property of our subject and continued his connection therewith until his death, in 1869. His wife is still living in Centralia.
In the Benson family were six children, five of whom grew to mature years, while three are yet living:
Our subject accompanied his parents on their various removals and acquired his education in the different cities in which the family lived. At the age of sixteen he began learning the machinist's trade in the marine works of St. Louis, and was thus employed for about two years, when, in 1855, he came to Centralia. Later he -worked as a journeyman for a few months and then went to Champaign, ILL., where he was employed for about ten months. Subsequently he secured a position as engineer, and later became engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, running between Champaign and Centralia. Two years later he went south as engineer in the employ of the United States Government and opened up the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. He also opened up the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, afterwards ran on other roads and later became master mechanic on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in the Government employ, being stationed in Jackson, Tenn., and Columbus, Ky. He continued his labors in the employ of the Government under the rank of Colonel.
When the war was over Mr. Benson went to Jackson, and for three years was master mechanic of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad shops. He then went to Selma, Ala., where he served as foreman under J. W. Wallace, and for about eighteen months was master mechanic of the railroad. At length he abandoned the position on account of ill health and returned to Centralia. Here he began work in the Benson Bros.' shop, which had been founded by himself and his brothers, Samuel and John. Samuel retired in 1871, and John left the firm in 1875, since which time our subject has been sole proprietor. He has built up a large business and is now at the head of one of the leading industries of the city. His business record is an honorable one, and by merit and ability he has steadily worked his way upward, achieving a success which has made him a leading citizen of this locality.
In 1860 Mr. Benson cast his first vote, supporting Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a stalwart Republican. He has three times served as Mayor of Centralia. He was first elected, afterward chosen to fill an unexpired term, and in 1893 was elected for a term of two years. He has served for four years as a member of the City Council, and during his official career he has ever been prominent in promoting the best interests of the town. He took a leading part in support of the water works, and the promises which he has made he has carried out to the letter. He has always worked for progressive measures, and the prosperity of the city is due in no small degree to his earnest efforts in its behalf.
Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason and formerly belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In public, official and private life he has ever been true to the trusts reposed in him, and no man is held in higher regard or is more worthy the esteem of his fellow-townsmen than James Benson.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 519 - 520
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer