Christian Benson was born in Gottenburg, Sweden, in 1805, and came to
this country in 1820 with Capt. Benoni Cook, of Providence, Rhode Island as a
sailor. He was employed in 1822 on the Robert Fulton, one of the first successful steamboats
then running between New York and Providence. He soon became a pilot, and for years followed the business on
that route. Hell Gate familiar to him as a straight path, and the storms of Point Judith had
no more terror for him than an April shower. Becoming tired of the water, he came West with his old
comrade Capt. Baxter, and arrived at Dixon late in November, 1835. In company with Smith Rowe, they started out on the prairie for Portland, and when on the road to Prophetstown Mr. Benson got into a slough,
and in trying to extricate himself became thoroughly wet, and it being cold both of were frozen, so that
he was obliged to remain at Mr. Stakes’ cabin five weeks. He settled first on the bottom, but afterwards
built on the high land. In 1849 he went to California, where he remained two years, and then returned, and is still living with
his only son, Benoni C., near Spring Hill. His children are:
Emily, who married James Bryant, and lives in Portland, and Benoni C.;
who first married Miss Ammisetta Martin, and after her death,
Miss Susan Bulger and lives in Portland.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 352
