Todd Benjamin

Residing on section 19, Sugar Grove township, is in every respect a representative citizen of the county, and is now operating the home farm of two hundred acres on which he was born January 30, 1853. On his father's side he is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, Elisha, who was an early settler of Oneida county, New York, being of Scotch parentage. Leonard Benjamin, the father, was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1812, and there grew to manhood, and after having passed through the common schools entered Hamilton College, and taking the regular course, was graduated therefrom. In 1837, he came to Kane county, Illinois, and made claim to one hundred and sixty acres in Sugar Grove township, on which he built a small residence and began its further improvement. When the land came into market he secured his deed for the same, together with forty acres additional, which is yet in possession of the family and is the home of our subject. He later bought a farm of forty acres in Big Rock township. A well educated man and a practical farmer, he made of the place one of the best in the township. In 1891, the family residence was destroyed by fire, and he later built the present substantial residence.

Before coming to Illinois, Mr. Benjamin taught several terms in the public schools and after his arrival here again engaged in teaching in connection with his farm work, teaching in all about twenty terms. He here married Lucretia Emery, a native of Tompkins county, New York, and a daughter of Abner Emery. By this union were two sons and one daughter, Todd our subject; Ida, wife of Charles Dugan, a farmer of Sugar Grove township; and Pratt, also a farmer of Sugar Grove township and the present township assessor. By a former marriage there are two sons, Charles and James.

Leonard Benjamin was in his time one of the most prominent men in Sugar Grove township, where he served as supervisor, assessor, justice of the peace, township trustee, collector, and other positions of honor and trust, showing the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He died on the old homestead May 21, 1895. His widow survives and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.

Todd Benjamin grew to manhood on the old farm, and in his youth assisted in its cultivation. His primary education was obtained in the schools of his neighborhood, after which he attended the Jennings Semi-nary at Aurora, preparatory to a college course. He then entered the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from which he graduated in the class of 1878. When but eighteen years of age he taught his first term in the public schools, and taught several terms before entering the university. After completing his course, he taught some twelve or fifteen terms, and now holds a teacher's certificate. He has, however, abandoned the profession, and now gives his time exclusively to the management of the farm, of which he has had charge since 1890.

Mr. Benjamin was united in marriage in Tekamah, Burt county, Nebraska, December 8, 1895, with Miss Alta Breed, a native of De Kalb county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles Breed, now deceased, who was an early settler of De Kalb county, Illinois, and also of Tekamah, Nebraska. Politically Mr. Benjamin is a lifelong Republican, and cast his first presidential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1876. In local political affairs he has been somewhat active, and for eight years was a member of the county central committee of his party. He has also served as a delegate to various county and state conventions, in which his influence has been felt. For nine consecutive years he served as road commissioner, and has always been in favor of good roads. While not members, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin attend the People's church of Sugar Grove.   Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Sugar Grove. A life-long resident of Kane county, and the township where he resides, he is well and favorably known as a man of superior education, of good business ability, and of exemplary habits.

John B. Barnes   

John B. Barnes, county and prosecuting attorney for Natrona County, Wyo., was born Sept. 10, 1875, in Ponca, Neb. He received a thorough education in the public schools of his native state; and in 1896 graduated with the degree of A.B. from the University of Nebraska. In 1902-05 he was superintendent of city schools at Tecamah, Neb., and now practices his profession of law. He is a member of the Republican party; and a member of the leading, bar associations. He is county and prosecuting attorney for Natrona County; and resides in Casper, Wyo.

Herringshaw's American blue-book of Biography: Prominent Americans of 1912- An Accurate Biographical Record of Prominent Citizens of All Walks of Life

Transcribed and contributed by:  Therman Keller