Samuel Page Benson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From 1882's "History of Bowdoin College" by Cleaveland and Packard. | |
| Member ofU.S. House of Representatives fromMaine's4th district | |
| In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Reed |
| Succeeded by | Freeman H. Morse |
| 6thSecretary of State of Maine | |
| In office 1838–1838 | |
| Governor | Edward Kent |
| Preceded by | Asaph R. Nichols |
| Succeeded by | Asaph R. Nichols |
| 9thSecretary of State of Maine | |
| In office 1839–1839 | |
| Governor | John Fairfield |
| Preceded by | Philip C. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Philip C. Johnson |
| Member of the Maine Senate | |
| In office 1836–1837 | |
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1833–1834 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1804-11-28)November 28, 1804 Winthrop, Massachusetts (nowMaine) |
| Died | August 12, 1876(1876-08-12) (aged 71) Yarmouth, Maine |
| Political party | Whig |
| Other political affiliations | Opposition Party |
| Alma mater | Bowdoin College, 1825 |
Samuel Page Benson (November 28, 1804 – August 12, 1876) was aUnited States representative fromMaine. He was born to Peleg and Sally Benson[1] inWinthrop, Massachusetts (now inMaine) on November 28, 1804. He received instruction from private teachers and attended the Monmouth Academy of Maine. He graduated fromBowdoin College in 1825.[1] He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice inUnity. He returned to Winthrop and practiced law until 1850.
He was a railroad builder, and was secretary of theAndroscoggin & Kennebec Railroad (later theMaine Central Railroad). Benson was elected member of theMaine House of Representatives, and served in theMaine State Senate. He was electedMaine Secretary of State in 1838 and in 1841. He was an overseer of Bowdoin College from 1838 to 1876 and president of the board for sixteen years. He served as chairman of the Winthopboard of selectmen from 1844 to 1848. Benson was elected as aWhig to the (Thirty-third Congress) and as anOpposition Party member to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857). He was chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs (Thirty-fourth Congress).
He was not a candidate for reelection in 1856. Benson resumed the practice of law, and died inYarmouth on August 12, 1876. His interment in Maple Cemetery in Winthrop.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMaine's 4th congressional district March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | 6thSecretary of State of Maine 1838–1838 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | 9thSecretary of State of Maine 1841–1841 | Succeeded by |
Chairs of theUnited States House Committee on Armed Services | ||
|---|---|---|
| Military Affairs Committee (1822–1947) |  | |
| Naval Affairs Committee (1822–1947) | ||
| Armed Services Committee* (from 1947) | ||
*Alternately namedNational Security in 104th and 105th Congresses. | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
