Charles S. Benton
Encyclopedia
Charles Swan Benton was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
in 1824 to live with an elder brother. Later, he attended Lowville Academy at Lowville, New York
. He also learned the tanner’s trade and was the editor of the Mohawk Courier and the Little Falls Gazette 1830-1832. In addition, he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced practice at Little Falls, New York
.
Benton was Surrogate of Herkimer County from 1837 to 1841. He was a judge advocate of the New York State Militia. He was elected as a Democrat to the 28th
and 29th United States Congress
es, and served from March 4, 1843, to March 3, 1847.
He was Clerk of the New York Court of Appeals
from 1847 to 1853, elected in 1847
and 1850. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
in 1855 and subsequently became editor of the Milwaukee News.
Benton was appointed by President Franklin Pierce
in 1856 as Register of the United States Land Office at La Crosse, Wisconsin
and served until 1861. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1862 to the 38th United States Congress
. He engaged in agricultural pursuits near West Salem, Wisconsin
and later, in 1865, at Galesburg, Illinois
. He returned to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1869. He served as judge of La Crosse County, Wisconsin 1874-1881. He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1882 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
He was a brother of Nathaniel S. Benton
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
He pursued preparatory studies before moving to Herkimer County, New YorkHerkimer County, New York
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
in 1824 to live with an elder brother. Later, he attended Lowville Academy at Lowville, New York
Lowville, New York
Lowville, New York may refer to:*Lowville , New York, located in Lewis County*Lowville , New York, located within the Town of Lowville...
. He also learned the tanner’s trade and was the editor of the Mohawk Courier and the Little Falls Gazette 1830-1832. In addition, he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced practice at Little Falls, New York
Little Falls (city), New York
Little Falls is a city in Herkimer County, New York, USA. The population was 5,188 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from a small cataract near the city....
.
Benton was Surrogate of Herkimer County from 1837 to 1841. He was a judge advocate of the New York State Militia. He was elected as a Democrat to the 28th
28th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:Following the 1840 United States Census, Congress reapportioned the House to include 223 seats . During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Florida .- Senate :*President: Vacant...
and 29th United States Congress
29th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress, two House seats were added for each of the new states of Texas and Iowa.-Leadership:-Senate:* President: George M. Dallas * President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum...
es, and served from March 4, 1843, to March 3, 1847.
He was Clerk of the New York Court of Appeals
Clerk of the New York Court of Appeals
The Clerk of the New York Court of Appeals was one of the statewide elected officials in New York from 1847 to 1870. He was also ex officio a clerk of the New York Supreme Court. The office was created by the New York State Constitution of 1846...
from 1847 to 1853, elected in 1847
New York special judicial election, 1847
At a special judicial election on June 7, 1847, four judges of the New York Court of Appeals, the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, 32 justices of the new New York Supreme Court district benches, county judges, surrogates, districty attorneys and all other judicial officers in the state of New York...
and 1850. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
in 1855 and subsequently became editor of the Milwaukee News.
Benton was appointed by President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
in 1856 as Register of the United States Land Office at La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
and served until 1861. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1862 to the 38th United States Congress
38th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:Before this Congress, the 1860 United States Census and resulting reapportionment changed the size of the House to 241 members...
. He engaged in agricultural pursuits near West Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,799 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and later, in 1865, at Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
. He returned to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1869. He served as judge of La Crosse County, Wisconsin 1874-1881. He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1882 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
He was a brother of Nathaniel S. Benton
Nathaniel S. Benton
Nathaniel Seley Benton was a New York politician who served as a New York State Senator and Secretary of State of New York....
.
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 348 and 414; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)