He was the son of Willis Daniel and Louisa Jane (Faulkner) Benson and married Margaret Ella "Maggie" Omohundro - 19 Sep 1894 - Lincoln Co., Tennessee. Interesting information and his obituaries follow:
From the church bulletin of Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church, James W. Campbell, Pastor, March 2, 1969:
Congratulations, Mr. William B. Benson, on your 100 Birthday. Mr. Benson was born March 2, 1869 at Kelso, Tennessee. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for eighty years, joining the Concord Presbyterian Church August 18, 1912. He and Mrs. Benson, who is 93 years old, have been married 74 years. The had twelve children of which eight are living. Six of their children have been members of the Concord Church with Bill, Emma, and Marvin still members.
May the Lord continue to bless you, and may you have many more Happy Birthdays.
========================================================================
Centenarian "Honored My Mom, Dad" --
Exactly one century ago today, William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
His secret of longevity? "I can tell you pretty well about that," Benson affirmed, "I honored my father and my mother." The centenarian said that his father was hard on him, but taught him about the Bible.
"By the time I was big enough to sit on a horse, I went to the mill with him. I was plowing by the time I was eight," Benson said.
The centenarian has lived near Huntsville since 1905, when he packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek.
His most exciting memory is of the time he almost drowned in the Elk River. "I think I went down to the bottom eight times," he recalled.
Spry at 100, Benson commented, "I have have pretty good health all along." He has slight problems with hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though. Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson, one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark in two years, and a 92-year-old sister.
Eight of Benson's twelve children are living - their ages range from 47 to 74. His offspring range from a veteran of World War I to a veteran of World War II.
One of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings, Benson has always made his living off the land. Two of his children live with him in a farmhouse he helped build several years back.
Benson has been wary of horseless carriages since the first automobiles because the earliest models "with tops like buggy tops looked as if they would turn over if you turned the corner very fast."
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
Sunday, March 2, 1969
101-Year-Old Farmer Celebrates Birthday --
Exactly one century and one year ago, Farmer William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His birthday is March 2, 1869 and he moved to New Market in 1905 and in his present residence in 1910.
His wife died last year at the age of 93, and he has a brother in Akron, Ohio who is 100 years old. Seems like these folks just keep right on going in spite of their age. Mr. Benson is very spry and still goes to the mailbox by himself and is not as feeble as some people a lot younger!
One thing that he mentions and young people seem to forget these days is the fact that he honored his Father and Mother. The centenarian said that his father was hard on him but taught him about the Bible. "They also taught me right from wrong."
"I have had pretty good health all along." He has a slight problem hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson is one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark next year.
He was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings. Benson has spent his complete life for and around farming.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
Biscuits and hard work helped Benson reach 101 --
What does it take to reach 101?
William Bradford Benson, who is 101 years old today, says "eating and hard work" will help a person crack the century mark.
By "eating," Benson, who was born March 2, 1869, means "Biscuits and syrup." By hard work, he means in the fields, since he worked in the fields until he was 87,
Benson, of the Walnut Grove Community of New Market, has never been in a hospital and the only personal injury he has sustained was a broken collarbone received when he fell off a mule in 1946 at the age of 77.
If he had his 101 years to live over again, Benson, the father of 12 children, eight of whom are still alive, says he would like to have "more education," since he only got to the fourth grade in a multi-aged class school that knew no yearly advancements.
Despite his desire for more formal education, Benson says he would not take anything for his many productive years working in the fields.
Married 74 years before his wife died in 1969, Benson was an active church worker. He joined the Kelso Cumberland Presbyterian Church at age 17 and joined the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison County August 18, 1912.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
"News of the Church" --
William Bradford Benson, Concord Church, New Market, Alabama, marked his 102nd birthday March 2. For 82 of those years, he has been active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, first in Lincoln County, Tennessee where he was born, and since 1912, in Concord Church. His pastor, James W. Campbell, congratulates Mr. Benson on his birthday. Now a widower, Mr. Benson is a father of 12 children, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of 16, and has one great-great-grandchild. He was an active farmer until retirement at age 87. He has a brother, Richard James Benson, Akron, Ohio, who marked his 100th birthday last October.
Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian Church News
March 30, 1971
Medical Center Hospital's Oldest Patient --
William B. Benson, 104 years old, has been a patient here at Medical Center Hospital. From talking with his family, Mr. Benson has farmed all his life and until he retired at the age of 87, "when he began to slow down a little." He has been widowed for about four years; Mrs. Benson was 93 when she died.
The Bensons had been married 74 1/2 years; had twelve children (five of whom have never married); 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Their oldest son is 77 years old.
Mr. Benson contributed his long life span to clean living (he did not smoke or drink) and eating simple foods. Hot biscuits with butter and molasses was his favorite food. He went to bed at sundown and got up at day break.
Mrs. Calloway, Patient Hostess, expressed it had been a pleasure talking with Mr. Benson's family.
Source:
"Inner View"
Medical Center Hospital News, Issue 13
Huntsville, Alabama
June 1973
His obituaries:
A 104-year-old New Market, Route 1, resident, William B. Benson, died Tuesday in a local hospital.
Services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service directing.
Mr. Benson, who had been a farmer most of his life, was a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee, but moved with his family to New Market at an early age.
He and his late wife had celebrated 74 years before her death in 1969.
Mr. Benson is survived by four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin M. Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market, and Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood of Sheffield, Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The body will be taken to the church an hour before the funeral.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
New Market Man, 104, Dies Tuesday
A 104-year-old New Market man died Tuesday at Medical Center Hospital in Huntsville.
A funeral for William B. Benson, born in 1969 in a log cabin near a creek in Lincoln County, Tenn., will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating.
Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service Funeral Home in charge.
In 1905, Benson packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek. In an interview with The Times in 1969 when he turned 100, Benson attributed his longevity to "honoring my father and mother". His father, a veteran of the Civil War, died at 60.
William Benson always made his living off the land, and was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw Social Security benefits based on farm earnings.
Survivors include four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market; Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Tex.; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood, Sheffield; Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The body will be at the funeral home until one hour before the service.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
From the church bulletin of Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church, James W. Campbell, Pastor, March 2, 1969:
Congratulations, Mr. William B. Benson, on your 100 Birthday. Mr. Benson was born March 2, 1869 at Kelso, Tennessee. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for eighty years, joining the Concord Presbyterian Church August 18, 1912. He and Mrs. Benson, who is 93 years old, have been married 74 years. The had twelve children of which eight are living. Six of their children have been members of the Concord Church with Bill, Emma, and Marvin still members.
May the Lord continue to bless you, and may you have many more Happy Birthdays.
========================================================================
Centenarian "Honored My Mom, Dad" --
Exactly one century ago today, William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
His secret of longevity? "I can tell you pretty well about that," Benson affirmed, "I honored my father and my mother." The centenarian said that his father was hard on him, but taught him about the Bible.
"By the time I was big enough to sit on a horse, I went to the mill with him. I was plowing by the time I was eight," Benson said.
The centenarian has lived near Huntsville since 1905, when he packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek.
His most exciting memory is of the time he almost drowned in the Elk River. "I think I went down to the bottom eight times," he recalled.
Spry at 100, Benson commented, "I have have pretty good health all along." He has slight problems with hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though. Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson, one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark in two years, and a 92-year-old sister.
Eight of Benson's twelve children are living - their ages range from 47 to 74. His offspring range from a veteran of World War I to a veteran of World War II.
One of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings, Benson has always made his living off the land. Two of his children live with him in a farmhouse he helped build several years back.
Benson has been wary of horseless carriages since the first automobiles because the earliest models "with tops like buggy tops looked as if they would turn over if you turned the corner very fast."
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
Sunday, March 2, 1969
101-Year-Old Farmer Celebrates Birthday --
Exactly one century and one year ago, Farmer William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His birthday is March 2, 1869 and he moved to New Market in 1905 and in his present residence in 1910.
His wife died last year at the age of 93, and he has a brother in Akron, Ohio who is 100 years old. Seems like these folks just keep right on going in spite of their age. Mr. Benson is very spry and still goes to the mailbox by himself and is not as feeble as some people a lot younger!
One thing that he mentions and young people seem to forget these days is the fact that he honored his Father and Mother. The centenarian said that his father was hard on him but taught him about the Bible. "They also taught me right from wrong."
"I have had pretty good health all along." He has a slight problem hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson is one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark next year.
He was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings. Benson has spent his complete life for and around farming.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
Biscuits and hard work helped Benson reach 101 --
What does it take to reach 101?
William Bradford Benson, who is 101 years old today, says "eating and hard work" will help a person crack the century mark.
By "eating," Benson, who was born March 2, 1869, means "Biscuits and syrup." By hard work, he means in the fields, since he worked in the fields until he was 87,
Benson, of the Walnut Grove Community of New Market, has never been in a hospital and the only personal injury he has sustained was a broken collarbone received when he fell off a mule in 1946 at the age of 77.
If he had his 101 years to live over again, Benson, the father of 12 children, eight of whom are still alive, says he would like to have "more education," since he only got to the fourth grade in a multi-aged class school that knew no yearly advancements.
Despite his desire for more formal education, Benson says he would not take anything for his many productive years working in the fields.
Married 74 years before his wife died in 1969, Benson was an active church worker. He joined the Kelso Cumberland Presbyterian Church at age 17 and joined the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison County August 18, 1912.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
"News of the Church" --
William Bradford Benson, Concord Church, New Market, Alabama, marked his 102nd birthday March 2. For 82 of those years, he has been active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, first in Lincoln County, Tennessee where he was born, and since 1912, in Concord Church. His pastor, James W. Campbell, congratulates Mr. Benson on his birthday. Now a widower, Mr. Benson is a father of 12 children, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of 16, and has one great-great-grandchild. He was an active farmer until retirement at age 87. He has a brother, Richard James Benson, Akron, Ohio, who marked his 100th birthday last October.
Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian Church News
March 30, 1971
Medical Center Hospital's Oldest Patient --
William B. Benson, 104 years old, has been a patient here at Medical Center Hospital. From talking with his family, Mr. Benson has farmed all his life and until he retired at the age of 87, "when he began to slow down a little." He has been widowed for about four years; Mrs. Benson was 93 when she died.
The Bensons had been married 74 1/2 years; had twelve children (five of whom have never married); 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Their oldest son is 77 years old.
Mr. Benson contributed his long life span to clean living (he did not smoke or drink) and eating simple foods. Hot biscuits with butter and molasses was his favorite food. He went to bed at sundown and got up at day break.
Mrs. Calloway, Patient Hostess, expressed it had been a pleasure talking with Mr. Benson's family.
Source:
"Inner View"
Medical Center Hospital News, Issue 13
Huntsville, Alabama
June 1973
His obituaries:
A 104-year-old New Market, Route 1, resident, William B. Benson, died Tuesday in a local hospital.
Services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service directing.
Mr. Benson, who had been a farmer most of his life, was a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee, but moved with his family to New Market at an early age.
He and his late wife had celebrated 74 years before her death in 1969.
Mr. Benson is survived by four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin M. Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market, and Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood of Sheffield, Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The body will be taken to the church an hour before the funeral.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
New Market Man, 104, Dies Tuesday
A 104-year-old New Market man died Tuesday at Medical Center Hospital in Huntsville.
A funeral for William B. Benson, born in 1969 in a log cabin near a creek in Lincoln County, Tenn., will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating.
Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service Funeral Home in charge.
In 1905, Benson packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek. In an interview with The Times in 1969 when he turned 100, Benson attributed his longevity to "honoring my father and mother". His father, a veteran of the Civil War, died at 60.
William Benson always made his living off the land, and was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw Social Security benefits based on farm earnings.
Survivors include four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market; Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Tex.; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood, Sheffield; Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The body will be at the funeral home until one hour before the service.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
He was the son of Willis Daniel and Louisa Jane (Faulkner) Benson and married Margaret Ella "Maggie" Omohundro - 19 Sep 1894 - Lincoln Co., Tennessee. Interesting information and his obituaries follow:
From the church bulletin of Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church, James W. Campbell, Pastor, March 2, 1969:
Congratulations, Mr. William B. Benson, on your 100 Birthday. Mr. Benson was born March 2, 1869 at Kelso, Tennessee. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for eighty years, joining the Concord Presbyterian Church August 18, 1912. He and Mrs. Benson, who is 93 years old, have been married 74 years. The had twelve children of which eight are living. Six of their children have been members of the Concord Church with Bill, Emma, and Marvin still members.
May the Lord continue to bless you, and may you have many more Happy Birthdays.
========================================================================
Centenarian "Honored My Mom, Dad" --
Exactly one century ago today, William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
His secret of longevity? "I can tell you pretty well about that," Benson affirmed, "I honored my father and my mother." The centenarian said that his father was hard on him, but taught him about the Bible.
"By the time I was big enough to sit on a horse, I went to the mill with him. I was plowing by the time I was eight," Benson said.
The centenarian has lived near Huntsville since 1905, when he packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek.
His most exciting memory is of the time he almost drowned in the Elk River. "I think I went down to the bottom eight times," he recalled.
Spry at 100, Benson commented, "I have have pretty good health all along." He has slight problems with hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though. Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson, one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark in two years, and a 92-year-old sister.
Eight of Benson's twelve children are living - their ages range from 47 to 74. His offspring range from a veteran of World War I to a veteran of World War II.
One of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings, Benson has always made his living off the land. Two of his children live with him in a farmhouse he helped build several years back.
Benson has been wary of horseless carriages since the first automobiles because the earliest models "with tops like buggy tops looked as if they would turn over if you turned the corner very fast."
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
Sunday, March 2, 1969
101-Year-Old Farmer Celebrates Birthday --
Exactly one century and one year ago, Farmer William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His birthday is March 2, 1869 and he moved to New Market in 1905 and in his present residence in 1910.
His wife died last year at the age of 93, and he has a brother in Akron, Ohio who is 100 years old. Seems like these folks just keep right on going in spite of their age. Mr. Benson is very spry and still goes to the mailbox by himself and is not as feeble as some people a lot younger!
One thing that he mentions and young people seem to forget these days is the fact that he honored his Father and Mother. The centenarian said that his father was hard on him but taught him about the Bible. "They also taught me right from wrong."
"I have had pretty good health all along." He has a slight problem hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson is one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark next year.
He was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings. Benson has spent his complete life for and around farming.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
Biscuits and hard work helped Benson reach 101 --
What does it take to reach 101?
William Bradford Benson, who is 101 years old today, says "eating and hard work" will help a person crack the century mark.
By "eating," Benson, who was born March 2, 1869, means "Biscuits and syrup." By hard work, he means in the fields, since he worked in the fields until he was 87,
Benson, of the Walnut Grove Community of New Market, has never been in a hospital and the only personal injury he has sustained was a broken collarbone received when he fell off a mule in 1946 at the age of 77.
If he had his 101 years to live over again, Benson, the father of 12 children, eight of whom are still alive, says he would like to have "more education," since he only got to the fourth grade in a multi-aged class school that knew no yearly advancements.
Despite his desire for more formal education, Benson says he would not take anything for his many productive years working in the fields.
Married 74 years before his wife died in 1969, Benson was an active church worker. He joined the Kelso Cumberland Presbyterian Church at age 17 and joined the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison County August 18, 1912.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
"News of the Church" --
William Bradford Benson, Concord Church, New Market, Alabama, marked his 102nd birthday March 2. For 82 of those years, he has been active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, first in Lincoln County, Tennessee where he was born, and since 1912, in Concord Church. His pastor, James W. Campbell, congratulates Mr. Benson on his birthday. Now a widower, Mr. Benson is a father of 12 children, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of 16, and has one great-great-grandchild. He was an active farmer until retirement at age 87. He has a brother, Richard James Benson, Akron, Ohio, who marked his 100th birthday last October.
Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian Church News
March 30, 1971
Medical Center Hospital's Oldest Patient --
William B. Benson, 104 years old, has been a patient here at Medical Center Hospital. From talking with his family, Mr. Benson has farmed all his life and until he retired at the age of 87, "when he began to slow down a little." He has been widowed for about four years; Mrs. Benson was 93 when she died.
The Bensons had been married 74 1/2 years; had twelve children (five of whom have never married); 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Their oldest son is 77 years old.
Mr. Benson contributed his long life span to clean living (he did not smoke or drink) and eating simple foods. Hot biscuits with butter and molasses was his favorite food. He went to bed at sundown and got up at day break.
Mrs. Calloway, Patient Hostess, expressed it had been a pleasure talking with Mr. Benson's family.
Source:
"Inner View"
Medical Center Hospital News, Issue 13
Huntsville, Alabama
June 1973
His obituaries:
A 104-year-old New Market, Route 1, resident, William B. Benson, died Tuesday in a local hospital.
Services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service directing.
Mr. Benson, who had been a farmer most of his life, was a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee, but moved with his family to New Market at an early age.
He and his late wife had celebrated 74 years before her death in 1969.
Mr. Benson is survived by four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin M. Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market, and Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood of Sheffield, Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The body will be taken to the church an hour before the funeral.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
New Market Man, 104, Dies Tuesday
A 104-year-old New Market man died Tuesday at Medical Center Hospital in Huntsville.
A funeral for William B. Benson, born in 1969 in a log cabin near a creek in Lincoln County, Tenn., will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating.
Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service Funeral Home in charge.
In 1905, Benson packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek. In an interview with The Times in 1969 when he turned 100, Benson attributed his longevity to "honoring my father and mother". His father, a veteran of the Civil War, died at 60.
William Benson always made his living off the land, and was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw Social Security benefits based on farm earnings.
Survivors include four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market; Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Tex.; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood, Sheffield; Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The body will be at the funeral home until one hour before the service.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
From the church bulletin of Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church, James W. Campbell, Pastor, March 2, 1969:
Congratulations, Mr. William B. Benson, on your 100 Birthday. Mr. Benson was born March 2, 1869 at Kelso, Tennessee. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for eighty years, joining the Concord Presbyterian Church August 18, 1912. He and Mrs. Benson, who is 93 years old, have been married 74 years. The had twelve children of which eight are living. Six of their children have been members of the Concord Church with Bill, Emma, and Marvin still members.
May the Lord continue to bless you, and may you have many more Happy Birthdays.
========================================================================
Centenarian "Honored My Mom, Dad" --
Exactly one century ago today, William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
His secret of longevity? "I can tell you pretty well about that," Benson affirmed, "I honored my father and my mother." The centenarian said that his father was hard on him, but taught him about the Bible.
"By the time I was big enough to sit on a horse, I went to the mill with him. I was plowing by the time I was eight," Benson said.
The centenarian has lived near Huntsville since 1905, when he packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek.
His most exciting memory is of the time he almost drowned in the Elk River. "I think I went down to the bottom eight times," he recalled.
Spry at 100, Benson commented, "I have have pretty good health all along." He has slight problems with hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though. Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson, one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark in two years, and a 92-year-old sister.
Eight of Benson's twelve children are living - their ages range from 47 to 74. His offspring range from a veteran of World War I to a veteran of World War II.
One of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings, Benson has always made his living off the land. Two of his children live with him in a farmhouse he helped build several years back.
Benson has been wary of horseless carriages since the first automobiles because the earliest models "with tops like buggy tops looked as if they would turn over if you turned the corner very fast."
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
Sunday, March 2, 1969
101-Year-Old Farmer Celebrates Birthday --
Exactly one century and one year ago, Farmer William Benson of Route 1, New Market, was born in a log cabin by a creek in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His birthday is March 2, 1869 and he moved to New Market in 1905 and in his present residence in 1910.
His wife died last year at the age of 93, and he has a brother in Akron, Ohio who is 100 years old. Seems like these folks just keep right on going in spite of their age. Mr. Benson is very spry and still goes to the mailbox by himself and is not as feeble as some people a lot younger!
One thing that he mentions and young people seem to forget these days is the fact that he honored his Father and Mother. The centenarian said that his father was hard on him but taught him about the Bible. "They also taught me right from wrong."
"I have had pretty good health all along." He has a slight problem hearing and seeing, but is remarkably healthy for his age.
Longevity runs in the family, apparently, though Benson's Civil War veteran father died at the age of 60. Benson is one of seven children, has a brother in Akron, Ohio, who will himself turn the century mark next year.
He was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw social security benefits based on farm earnings. Benson has spent his complete life for and around farming.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
Biscuits and hard work helped Benson reach 101 --
What does it take to reach 101?
William Bradford Benson, who is 101 years old today, says "eating and hard work" will help a person crack the century mark.
By "eating," Benson, who was born March 2, 1869, means "Biscuits and syrup." By hard work, he means in the fields, since he worked in the fields until he was 87,
Benson, of the Walnut Grove Community of New Market, has never been in a hospital and the only personal injury he has sustained was a broken collarbone received when he fell off a mule in 1946 at the age of 77.
If he had his 101 years to live over again, Benson, the father of 12 children, eight of whom are still alive, says he would like to have "more education," since he only got to the fourth grade in a multi-aged class school that knew no yearly advancements.
Despite his desire for more formal education, Benson says he would not take anything for his many productive years working in the fields.
Married 74 years before his wife died in 1969, Benson was an active church worker. He joined the Kelso Cumberland Presbyterian Church at age 17 and joined the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madison County August 18, 1912.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
March 2, 1970
"News of the Church" --
William Bradford Benson, Concord Church, New Market, Alabama, marked his 102nd birthday March 2. For 82 of those years, he has been active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, first in Lincoln County, Tennessee where he was born, and since 1912, in Concord Church. His pastor, James W. Campbell, congratulates Mr. Benson on his birthday. Now a widower, Mr. Benson is a father of 12 children, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of 16, and has one great-great-grandchild. He was an active farmer until retirement at age 87. He has a brother, Richard James Benson, Akron, Ohio, who marked his 100th birthday last October.
Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian Church News
March 30, 1971
Medical Center Hospital's Oldest Patient --
William B. Benson, 104 years old, has been a patient here at Medical Center Hospital. From talking with his family, Mr. Benson has farmed all his life and until he retired at the age of 87, "when he began to slow down a little." He has been widowed for about four years; Mrs. Benson was 93 when she died.
The Bensons had been married 74 1/2 years; had twelve children (five of whom have never married); 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Their oldest son is 77 years old.
Mr. Benson contributed his long life span to clean living (he did not smoke or drink) and eating simple foods. Hot biscuits with butter and molasses was his favorite food. He went to bed at sundown and got up at day break.
Mrs. Calloway, Patient Hostess, expressed it had been a pleasure talking with Mr. Benson's family.
Source:
"Inner View"
Medical Center Hospital News, Issue 13
Huntsville, Alabama
June 1973
His obituaries:
A 104-year-old New Market, Route 1, resident, William B. Benson, died Tuesday in a local hospital.
Services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service directing.
Mr. Benson, who had been a farmer most of his life, was a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee, but moved with his family to New Market at an early age.
He and his late wife had celebrated 74 years before her death in 1969.
Mr. Benson is survived by four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin M. Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market, and Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood of Sheffield, Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The body will be taken to the church an hour before the funeral.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
New Market Man, 104, Dies Tuesday
A 104-year-old New Market man died Tuesday at Medical Center Hospital in Huntsville.
A funeral for William B. Benson, born in 1969 in a log cabin near a creek in Lincoln County, Tenn., will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James Campbell officiating.
Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, Laughlin-Service Funeral Home in charge.
In 1905, Benson packed his family into a horse-drawn wagon and moved to a farm near Hurricane Creek. In an interview with The Times in 1969 when he turned 100, Benson attributed his longevity to "honoring my father and mother". His father, a veteran of the Civil War, died at 60.
William Benson always made his living off the land, and was one of the first farmers in Madison County to draw Social Security benefits based on farm earnings.
Survivors include four sons, William R. Benson, Marvin Benson, and Vernon Benson, all of New Market; Rufus D. Benson, Benjamin, Tex.; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Easterwood, Sheffield; Miss Emma Benson, Miss Rosa Benson, and Miss Vera Benson, all of Huntsville; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The body will be at the funeral home until one hour before the service.
Source:
The Huntsville Times
Huntsville, Alabama
Family Members
Siblings
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Laura Benson Leonard
1863–1947
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Eliza Frances Benson Little
1865–1942
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Alice Elizabeth Benson Hopkins
1867–1926
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Richard James "Dick" Benson
1870–1972
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Rufus Andrew Benson
1872–1898
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Willis Daniel "Bug" Benson
1875–1899
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Amanda Ella Benson McGehee
1877–1969
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Aaron Benson
1879–1943
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Robert Faulkner Benson
1880–1966
Children
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William Richard Benson
1895–1976
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Rufus Daniel Benson
1897–1979
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Alfred Clayton Benson
1900–1901
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Roy Edgar Benson
1902–1918
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Estella Frances Benson Easterwood
1904–2002
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Emma Louisa Benson
1907–2007
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Infant Son Benson
1910–1910
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Marvin McKinley Benson
1910–1998
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Fred Carlyle Benson
1912–1913
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Rosa Mae Benson
1914–2008
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Vernon "Jack" Benson
1917–1993
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Vera Alice Benson
1919–2016
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