WI BIO - Dane Co - BENSON, W. B.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 470-471

William B. BENSON, one of the prominent self-made men of Rutland [Dane 
County, WI], was born in Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, NY, 28 Nov 1808. 
His father, John BENSON, was born in one of the New England States, and his 
father, Joel BENSON, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and spent 
his last days in Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY. John BENSON removed from his 
native county to Chautauqua County, NY, after learning the trade of 
wheelwright. He made the removal in 1810, and was one of the early settlers 
of Ripley, NY. Here he bought a tract of land from the Holland Purchase 
Company, on which he built a log house in the wilderness. A part of the time 
he followed his trade and the remainder of the time improved his farm. In 
1840 John BENSON went to LaPorte [LaPorte County], IN, and died there the 
same year.

The maiden name of the wife of John BENSON was Mary BIRCH, a native of one of 
the New England States. Her father, Thomas BIRCH, was a farmer by 
occupation, who removed from NY to IN and became one of the pioneers of Deer 
Prairie, LaPorte County. He secured Government land, improved it, and 
resided there until his death. Mary (BIRCH) BENSON died on the home farm in 
Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY.

William B. BENSON attended the pioneer school of Ripley, taught in a log 
house, and remained with his parents until he reached years of maturity. He 
was reared to farm life and has always followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. 
BENSON resided in Chautauqua County, NY, until 1846, when he came to the 
Territory [p 471] of WI, and was accompanied by his wife and three children. 
They made the journey overland and were 19 days on the way. They first 
located in Milwaukee County, WI. At that time the country was but sparsely 
settled and much of the land was owned by the Government. Although the land 
sold for $1.25 an acre, he was too poor to buy it, and so was obliged to 
rent. In 1848 he moved to Green County, WI, and bought 80 acres of 
Government land in the town of Brooklyn, although the land was all unsettled 
at that time. There were no railroads for years, and when he was in Walnut, 
WI, he was obliged to haul his grain to Racine [Racine County], WI, 30 miles 
away. William B. BENSON first built a log cabin on the farm until 1885, and 
during the time built a set of frame buildings and improved the land. In 
1885 he removed to the town of Brooklyn, WI, and now lives retired.

William B. BENSON married, 27 Nov 1836, Miss Smyrna PRATT, born in Lee, 
Oneida County, NY, 04 Jun 1819. Her father, Spencer PRATT, was born in ME 
and was the son of Marquis and Polly (CHAPMAN) PRATT. Spencer PRATT was 
reared and married in ME and removed from there to Oneida County, NY, and 
became son of the pioneers of that county. He first bought timber land and 
built the log house in which Mrs. BENSON was born. He was a mason by trade, 
and found it more profitable to follow his trade and hire men to work the 
farm. Spencer PRATT removed from Lee to Vienna, Oneida County, NY, from 
there to Erie County, NY, and thence to Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY, where 
he spent his last days. The maiden name of the wife of Spencer PRATT was 
Polly TYLER, born in ME, daughter of Daniel and Polly (CHAPMAN) TYLER, the 
former of whom was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

William B. and Smyrna (PRATT) BENSON have seven living children: Ezzan, 
Marthat J., Mary, Polly, Johann, William S., and Charles. Mr. BENSON has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 47 years, and is a stanch 
Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. BENSON have passed 56 years of happy 
wedded life and are now enjoying their declining years surrounded by the 
comforts their industry has procured for them.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly