Samuel P. Benson

Samuel Page Benson (November 28, 1804 – August 12, 1876) was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born to Peleg and Sally Benson[1] in Winthrop, Massachusetts (now in Maine) on November 28, 1804. He received instruction from private teachers and attended the Monmouth Academy of Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825.[1] He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Unity. He returned to Winthrop and practiced law until 1850.

Samuel Page Benson
From 1882's "History of Bowdoin College" by Cleaveland and Packard.
Member of U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1853  March 3, 1857
Preceded byIsaac Reed
Succeeded byFreeman H. Morse
6th Secretary of State of Maine
In office
1838–1838
GovernorEdward Kent
Preceded byAsaph R. Nichols
Succeeded byAsaph R. Nichols
9th Secretary of State of Maine
In office
1839–1839
GovernorJohn Fairfield
Preceded byPhilip C. Johnson
Succeeded byPhilip C. Johnson
Member of the
Maine Senate
In office
1836–1837
Member of the
Maine House of Representatives
In office
1833–1834
Personal details
Born(1804-11-28)November 28, 1804
Winthrop, Massachusetts (now Maine)
DiedAugust 12, 1876(1876-08-12) (aged 71)
Yarmouth, Maine
Political partyWhig
Other political
affiliations
Opposition Party
Alma materBowdoin College, 1825

He was a railroad builder, and was secretary of the Androscoggin & Kennebec Railroad (later the Maine Central Railroad). Benson was elected member of the Maine House of Representatives, and served in the Maine State Senate. He was elected Maine Secretary of State in 1838 and in 1841. He was an overseer of Bowdoin College 1838–1876 and president of the board for sixteen years. He served as chairman of the Winthop board of selectmen 1844–1848. Benson was elected as a Whig to the (Thirty-third Congress) and as an Opposition Party member to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857). He was chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs (Thirty-fourth Congress).

He was not a candidate for reelection in 1856. Benson resumed the practice of law, and died in Yarmouth on August 12, 1876. His interment in Maple Cemetery in Winthrop.

References

  1. Thurston, David (1855), A brief History of Winthrop, From 1764 to October 1855, Portland, Maine: David Thurston, p. 97.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Isaac Reed
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 4th congressional district

March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857
Succeeded by
Freeman H. Morse
Political offices
Preceded by
Asaph R. Nichols
6th Secretary of State of Maine
18381838
Succeeded by
Asaph R. Nichols
Preceded by
Philip C. Johnson
9th Secretary of State of Maine
18411841
Succeeded by
Philip C. Johnson
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