Frank Williamson Benson papers
Scope and Contents
Papers of Frank W. Benson consist primarily of correspondence, largely relating to local political appointments and other routine matters. People and subjects represented include Henry Landin Benson, George Earle Chamberlain, Dudley Evans, William David Fenton, Binger Hermann, Francis Anthony Seufert, the Coos Bay Townsite Company, the Crawford Point Land Company, Marshfield, Oregon (now Coos Bay), public lands in Oregon, the Republican Party in Oregon, and Umpqua River development. The collection also contains a small quantity of other material, largely bills, receipts, and ephemera.
Dates
- 1906-1910
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Biographical note
Born in San Jose, California, in 1858, Frank W. Benson attended Portland Academy but returned to San Jose to attend the College of the Pacific. Graduating with a master of arts degree in 1882, he moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where he taught school and served as the superintendent of schools for Douglas County. He then held various public offices and served as president of the State Normal School at Drain. In 1896, he was elected as Oregon secretary of state, and in 1909, he acceded to the governorship when Governor George E. Chamberlain took a seat in the U.S. Senate. Resigning in 1910 due to ill health, Benson was re-elected secretary of state, but died in 1911 before the completion of his term. He was married in 1883 to Harriet Ruth Benjamin, and the couple had two sons.
Source: "Dictionary of Oregon History," edited by Howard McKinley Corning (Portland: Binford and Morts, [c. 1956]).
Extent
0.45 Cubic Feet (1 document case)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Correspondence of Frank W. Benson (1858-1911), who served as Oregon secretary of state and Oregon governor, relating mostly to political appointments and other local matters.
Arrangement
Correspondence in the collection is arranged chronologically, with undated letters and other materials last.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Milton B. Steiner, 1965.
- Benson, Frank W. (Frank Williamson), 1858-1911 -- Correspondence
- Governors -- Oregon -- Correspondence
- Oregon
- Oregon -- Politics and government -- 1859-1950
- Politics and Politicians
- Public lands -- Oregon -- 20th century
- Republican Party (Or.)
- Secretaries of State (State governments) -- Oregon -- Correspondence
- Umpqua River (Or.)
- correspondence
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the Frank Williamson Benson papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Geoffrey B. Wexler
- Date
- 2006; revised 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2023-11-30: Minor revisions to conform to current standard.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org