Frank W. Benson (politician)
Frank W. Benson | |
---|---|
Secretary of State of Oregon | |
In office January 15, 1907 – April 14, 1911 | |
Governor | George Chamberlain |
Preceded by | Frank L. Dunbar |
Succeeded by | Ben W. Olcott |
Personal details | |
Born | San Jose, California | March 20, 1858
Died | April 14, 1911 Redlands, California | (aged 53)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Harriet Ruth Benson |
Profession | Lawyer |
Frank Williamson Benson (March 20, 1858 – April 14, 1911) was an American
Early life
Benson was born in
Young Frank enrolled in the Portland Academy, and completed his education at the
Benson was elected Douglas County Clerk in 1892, and was re-elected in 1896. That year he passed the state bar exam, and he began practicing law in Roseburg in 1898.
Secretary of State and Governorship
In 1906, Benson ran for Secretary of State as a Republican, and was elected. Governor
Benson did not resign as Secretary of State, and held both positions in violation of the
As governor, Benson initiated little despite holding the state's two most powerful offices. He did call for a special session of the
Benson was ill when he assumed the office of governor, but his health appeared to improve. In 1910 he traveled to California for further treatment. On June 15, 1910, Benson telephoned his private secretary, and transferred the Governor's powers to Oregon State Senate President Jay Bowerman until he could return to Salem, which he anticipated would be by July 20, 1910. Bowerman was sworn in as Acting Governor on June 16, 1910. However, Benson did not return and remained in California till his death. Bowerman completed the term as governor. In the fall 1910 election, Benson did not seek a full term of office as governor, but he was elected to another term as Secretary of State. His health failed in Redlands, California, and he died on April 14, 1911.
Sources
- Frank W. Benson entry at the Wayback Machine (archived July 16, 2011) in the Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789 - 1978. Volume 3 (Montana-Pennsylvania) Edited by Robert Sobel and John Raimo. Meckler Books, 1978. pp 1271–1272. Copyright © 1996 Mecklermedia Corporation.
- Klooster, Karl. Round the Roses II: More Past Portland Perspectives, pg. 115, 1992 ISBN 0-9619847-1-6
External links
- Oregon State Archives: Benson Administration-Photo and bio.