William H. Benson of Derry, NH Biography from A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915)

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Source: A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
         by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill, 1915

Page 1075

   WILLIAM H. BENSON, city clerk of Derry, N. H., and one of this
town's most prominent business citizens, was born in Londonderry, N. H.,
in 1864, a son of Andrew J. Benson.  His father was born in Windham,
N. H., in 1831.  The subject of this sketch acquired his literary education in
the schools of Rockingham County and subsequently took a course at the
Manchester Business College.  He then became connected with the shoe man-
ufacturing industry, being foreman of a factory at Derry for twenty years.
In January, 1904, he purchased his present business in Derry, namely: Cigars,
periodicals, etc., the place being known as "W. H. Benson's Cozy Corner."
which he has since conducted very successfully.  He is also a director of the
Derry National Bank and of the Derry Savings Bank.  A Democrat in pol-
itics, he has for some time taken an active interest in public affairs, having
served on the board of selectmen and as delegate to the last constitutional
convention.  He was also a member of the New Hampshire Legislature in
1913 that elected Henry Hollis United States Senator, and as such served as
a member of the corporation committee.  Mr. Benson was the Democratic
candidate for State Senator in the Twenty-second New Hampshire District
in the fall election of 1914, but was defeated by less than one hundred votes
in a district which is usually several hundred Republican.  He is a Knight
Templar Mason and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
   Mr. Benson was married in 1892 to Miss Fannie M. Wilson, a daughter
of Benjamin F. Wilson of Derry, N. H., but formerly of Chester.  Two
daughters have been born of this union, Wilma H. and Barbara Doris.