Caledonia

BENTON, Josiah Henry Sr. & Jr.

Biography of Josiah Henry BENTON, Sr.

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, part II, p 26

Josiah H. BENTON, of Maidstone [Essex County, Vermont], was born 08 August 
1816 in Waterford [Caledonia County, Vermont], son of Samuel S. BENTON. He 
received his education in the common schools of Waterford and St. Johnsbury 
and at Lyndon Academy [all in Caledonia County], concluding his studies at 
Burr Seminary, Manchester [Bennington County]. He left his paternal home at 
the age of seventeen to pursue his education, relying on his own unaided 
efforts to effect this praiseworthy endeavor.

After teaching several successive terms at Belchertown [Hampshire County], 
Massachusetts, and Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], and in the 
meanwhile pursuing his theological studies, he was ordained as minister of 
the Congregational church and settled in West Addison [Addison County, 
Vermont], but soon went to Northfield [Washington County, Vermont], and 
afterwards to Michigan as a conventional delegate and settled at Clinton 
[Lenawee County], Michigan. Then he received a call to Port Huron [St. Clair 
County, Michigan], but in a year returned to Clinton. Malaria compelled him 
to return East. He now resides upon his farm of 850 acres on the Connecticut 
River.

On 12 August 1841 at Putney [Windham County, Vermont], he [Josiah H. BENTON] 
married Martha E., daughter of David and Hulda DANFORTH. From this marriage 
there were four children: Josiah H. Jr., Martha E., Mary, and Robert. On 09 
October 1856 at Newbury [Orange County, Vermont], he [Josiah H. BENTON] 
married for his second wife Harriet B., daughter of Nathaniel and Silence 
NILES. From this union there were eight children: Samuel S., Harriet Maria, 
Ben Butler, Joseph, Caroline E., Hugh Henry, John Edwin, and Mary Edith.



Biography of Josiah Henry BENTON, Jr.

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part III, pp 3-5 
of 20 unpaginated leaves (portrait p 3 of 20)

Josiah Henry BENTON, Jr., of Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts], was born 
04 August 1843 in Addison [Addison County, Vermont], son of Rev. Josiah Henry 
and Martha Ellen (DANFORTH) BENTON. His ancestors were of English stock and 
were among the first settlers of Connecticut. They were enterprising and 
patriotic, and more than thirty of them served with credit in the Colonial 
army during the war of independence. Mr. BENTON's grandfather, Samuel Slade 
BENTON, settled in Vermont about 1800, located at Waterford [Caledonia 
County]. He [Samuel Slade BENTON] married Esther PROUTY of Charlestown 
[Sullivan County], New Hampshire, and they had eleven children, five 
daughters and six sons. Of the sons one became a physician, two clergymen, 
one being Josiah H. BENTON, Sr., [father of the subject of this biography], 
three lawyers, and all became eminent in their professions.

Josiah Henry BENTON, Jr., studied at the Bradford Academy (Vermont), and at 
the New London Institute, New London [Merrimack], New Hampshire. He served 
in the Twelfth Vermont Regiment of Volunteers in the war for the Union. 
After the war he entered the Albany Law School, where he was graduated, and 
in 1866 he was admitted to the bar. He began his practice in Bradford, 
Vermont. Later he went to Lancaster [Coos County], New Hampshire, where he 
stayed until 1873. In 1869 and 1870, he was secretary to the Governor of New 
Hampshire; in 1870 and 1872 he served as clerk of the New Hampshire House of 
Representatives. In 1873 he went to Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts], 
where he has since lived, and where he has practiced his profession with 
brilliant success.

Mr. BENTON was general counsel for the Old Colony Railroad and Steamboat 
Companies from 1878 up to the time of the lease of the Old Colony property to 
the New York, New Haven & Hartford Company, in 1893, when he became counsel 
for that corporation in its Massachusetts interests. Since 1879 he has been 
a director and counsel for the Northern railroad of New Hampshire, and has 
been engaged in most of the important railroad litigation in New Hampshire 
since that time. His general practice is extensive and varied, and he is, 
among his other important trusts, counsel for the estate of Frederick L. AMES 
and also for the Western Union Telegraph Company. He has for nine years 
lectured to the Law School of the Boston University on the subject of 
Corporations and Railroads. In 1894 he was appointed a trustee for the 
Boston Public Library. In politics he is a Republican, and is, always and 
ever, a wise and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. BENTON has varied his busy life by the preparation of some public papers 
and addresses of great merit, among which may be mentioned: "The Veto Power 
in the United States: What Is It?" "Inequality of Tax Valuations in 
Massachusetts," "The British Post Office," "Facts and Figures with Reference 
to United States Railroads," "What It Is to Flee from Justice," "Influence of 
the Bar in Our State and Federal Government," "Points in Vermont History," and 
"What Women Did for the War, and What the War Did for Women."

Mr. BENTON is a member of the Vermont Association. In his study and in his 
practice Mr. BENTON employs the best means for the wisest ends. He is a 
master of pure English style, and he has acted, studied, read, and traveled 
to great advantage. His life has been, and is, one of great unselfishness 
and of constant progress. His clients find in him a wise and courageous 
counsellor, and his personal friends rate him as an honest, fearless, upright 
man.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly