Benson Wood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's19th district | |
| In office March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897 | |
| Preceded by | James R. Williams |
| Succeeded by | Andrew J. Hunter |
| Member of theIllinois Senate | |
| In office 1872 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1839-03-31)March 31, 1839 |
| Died | August 27, 1915(1915-08-27) (aged 76) Effingham, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican Party |
Benson Wood (March 31, 1839 – August 27, 1915) was aU.S. Representative fromIllinois.
Born near Bridgewater, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Wood attended the common schools, Montrose (Pennsylvania) Academy, andWyoming (Pennsylvania) Seminary. He moved to Illinois in 1859 and for two years was principal of a village school inLee County. During theCivil War, he enlisted asfirst lieutenant of Company C,thirty-fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, September 7, 1861. He was promoted tocaptain May 1, 1862. He washonorably discharged on January 29, 1863.
Wood graduated from theUnion College of Law in 1864. He wasadmitted to the bar in 1864 and engaged in the practice of law inEffingham, Illinois. He served as member of theIllinois House of Representatives in 1872, and was a delegate to theRepublican National Convention in 1876 and 1888. He served asmayor ofEffingham, Illinois 1881-1883.
Wood was elected as aRepublican to theFifty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896 to theFifty-fifth Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Effingham, Illinois. He served as president of the Effingham State Bank 1903-1912, and chairman of theboard of directors 1912-1915. He died in Effingham on August 27, 1915. He was interred in Oakridge Cemetery.
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's 19th congressional district 1895-1897 | Succeeded by |
