Hall County NEGenWeb
Biographies
:: INSERT NAME ::
Hilmer Benson, page 935
HILMER BENSON.-While men in any confidential relation with big business
houses may attract attention through certain gifts or talents, it is the
quiet, faithful, matter-of-fact, ever dependable man with the best
interests of his firm at heart, who gives the greatest satisfaction during
his useful life, and is most missed when death calls him away. For
twenty-two years the late Hilmer Benson was a familiar figure at Wood
River. Ever assiduous in the performance of his duties, trusted by everyone
because of his honesty and uprightness, he had many personal as well as
business friends.
Hilmer Benson was born in Odsmal, Sweden, April 18, 1860. His parents were
Benjamin and Inger Johanna (Hermanson) Benson, who had four sons: Bernard,
Elam, Hilmer and Anders. Hilmer Benson attended the public shcools (sic) in
his native land until he was fiftteen (sic) years of age, when he entered
his uncle's general store as a clerk, where he had thorough business
training. In October, 1887, when twenty-seven years old, he came to the
United States and after landing came west, stopping first at St. Paul,
Nebraska. A few months later he removed to Palmer, Nebraska. He found
employment as a clerk in Palmer and remained there until June, 1889, when
he came to Wood River. In this pleasant little city he spent the remainder
of his life. As a clerk he entered the employ of F. M. Penny and continued
with him until Mr. Penny sold out to Mr. Brett, and remained with the new
merchant until the close of his life, having a record of eighteen years of
continuous service in the same business establishment. He was known to
almost everyone and anxiety was felt when it was learned he was prostrated
with an attack of pneumonia, which was the cause of his death on Febraury
(sic) 7, 1911.
At Kearney, Nebraska, November 3, 1889, Mr. Benson married Miss Hildur M.
Peterson, who was born in Jonkoping, Sweden, January 4, 1864. Her parents
were Carl J. and Christiana M. (Lund) Peterson. Mrs. Benson was the second
born of three children, the others being: Sixtus and Bertha C. As young
people, Mr. and Mrs. Benson had been warmly attached to each other in
Sweden, and rather than have him leave his business and make the long
journey to Sweden for their marriage, she decided to come alone to the
United States and reached Wood River, Nebraska, September 28, 1889. Their
marriage followed as already stated. Three sons were born to them: Charles
Allan, Einer Hilmer and Curt Oscar. The eldest, Charles Allan Benson, was
born at Wood river, November 5, 1890. He obtained his education in the Wood
River Public Schools and then became a farmer. The subsequent history of
his brave young life will be found, with his photograph, in the soldier
section of this work. His death occurred while in the service of his
country, October 7, 1918. Einer Hilmer Benson, the second son, was born in
Wood River, November 12, 1891, and was graduated from the high school in
this city in the class of 1911. In the following year he finished a course
in Balls Business College, and is assistant cashier of the Citizens State
Bank of Wood River. The third son, Curt Oscar Benson, was born in Wood
River September 13, 1897. He was graduated from the Wood River high school
in the class of 1915, and from the Creighton College of Pharmacy in the
class of 1918. He is engaged with the Hoyes Pharmacy in Wood River. Mrs.
Benson and sons are members of the Presbyterian church. She is an active
worker in the Red Cross movement and her sons have been equally interested
in forwarding every patriotic measure. No family in Wood River stands
higher in public esteem.
Transcribed by Larry Coates
History of Hall County
by Buechler, Barr, & Stough (Published 1920)
Transcribed by Larry Coates
