Henry L. Benson is
one of the prominent educators of Josephine county, where he has
filled the position of principal of the public schools of Grant's
Pass for the last six years. He has also served as president of the
State Normal School at Drain, from 1880 to 1886, prior to taking up
his residence in this city.
Mr. Benson is a native of Stockton, California, born in
that city July 6, 1854. his parents are Henry C. and Malinda M.
(Williamson) Benson, the former a Methodist minister, born in Ohio,
of English-Quaker ancestry. The latter is a native of Kentucky. They
are the parents of thirteen children, the subject being the sixth
child. he removed to Santa Clara when a child two years of age. The
family still reside in that city.
Henry L. was reared and educated in Santa Clara,
California, and completed his collegiate course at the university at
San Jose, graduating with the class of 1873. He engaged in teaching
school for some years, reading law in the meantime. He first read
law under George F. Baker, of San Francisco, subsequently returning
to San Jose. Here he completed his studies in law in the office of
Judge Harrington. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and the
following year to the Supreme Court. He engaged in the practice of
this profession in San Jose for two years, and while there served as
Deputy City Attorney. He came to Douglas county, Oregon, in 1880,
and to Josephine county six years later. In June, 1892, he was
elected District Attorney. His political affiliations have always
been with the Republican party.
He was married in Merced county, California, September
7, 1876, to Susie Daugherty, of California. They have four children:
Rea W., Arthur S., Gail E., Harry G., and one son, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Benson are very estimable people, and are
greatly respected by all who know them.
An Illustrated history of the state of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams |
George H. Palethorpe, proprietor of Grant's
pass Soda Works, dates his birth at St. Charles, Kane county,
Illinois, April 7, 1851. He remained there until he was fourteen
years of age. His parents were William and Mary (Clark) Palethorpe,
descended from old and influential English families. The father came
to America in 1849, the mother and two children joining him soon
after. The family consisted of seven children, our subject being the
third in order of birth. The parents removed to Romeo, Michigan,
about 1865.
At an early age George began to learn the baker trade
under his father, who had served a long apprenticeship in a country
where young man learn their trades thoroughly. He continued in
business with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when
he began on his own account and was very successful. Both of his
parents died in Michigan, the mother dying in Romeo, August 22,
1882, and the father in Pontiac, June 11, 1890. About 1888 he moved
his family to Oregon. he began business with a small capital, but
was endowed with great business ability, energy and determination.
He took up his residence at Grant's Pass about three years ago and
established himself in the bakery business. Six months later he
purchased the soda works and since has conducted both lines of
business in the same building. He has established a reputation as
professional baker second to none in the state. His business is
constantly increasing and he has the trade of those who desire only
the best quality of bread and pastries. As regards the soda business
he has the entire trade of the city and county, meeting with no
opposition. He has one delivery wagon, which supplies the local
trade, and he also ships to points in Jackson county. He
manufactures all kinds of carbonated drinks, which are also on sale
at his place of business, which is conducted as a bakery,
confectionary and fruitery.
He was married in Kent county, Michigan, in 1877 to
Adella Porter, of Michigan. They have one daughter, Mabel. On their
arrival in Oregon he began working in a sawmill, where he continued
until taking up his residence in this city. In addition to his city
business he is interested in fruit growing and owns property,
consisting of ten acres, located one miles west of this city, five
acres which are already set out with winter apples. One acre will be
set in cherries and the balance to prunes, the present season.
Mr. Palethorpe is one of those progressive eastern men
who avoid the sluggish rut of the moss back element and is always
ready to encourage public enterprise, instead of clogging the wheels
of progress.
An Illustrated history of the state of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams |
Eugene Keinlen,
proprietor of the Grant's Pass Brewery, was born in Alsace, Germany,
December 26, 1850. Here he was reared to manhood. On his arrival in
America he spent a few months in New York, and then located at St.
Paul, Minnesota, where he resided some nineteen years.
He was married in that city to Mary Keinlen, of
Germany. In 1884 he came to Oregon, but after a short stay he went
to San Francisco, where he stayed for a time, but subsequently
returned to Oregon, and settled in Jackson county. For the past five
years he has been a resident of Jones' creek, where he has been
engaged in farming. He purchased his present business and took
charge in August, 1891. His trade is principally a local one, and he
has a fair trade, besides a large retail trade at the brewery.
Mr. Keinlen and wife are sturdy, honest German people,
and are highly respected by their countrymen and fellow citizens.
An Illustrated history of the state of Oregon, 1893
©Shauna Williams |
