The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-07

Josiah Henry Benton was born in Adj
Olson, Vt, on Aug. 4, 1843, the son of
Josiah H. and Martha Ellen (Danforth)
Benton. He attended the Literary and
Scientific institute at New London, n.
H., and studied law at the Albany Law
school, which gave him his LII. B. de
gree in 1866. From Dartmouth he re
ceived an AN. degree in 1869, and one
of LII. d. from Norwich university in
1908.
| At the age of 10 he became a private
in Company H, 18th Vermont Volun-
teers, serving from August, 1862, until
July, 1868, i'll the Civil war.
| He was admitted to the bar in 1866,
and began to practice in Bradford, Vt,
| going from that place to Lancaster. n,
! H., where he remained until 1878. IN
| 1869 and 1870 he was private secretary
to the governor Of New Hampshire, and
in 1870 and III 1872 he was clerk of the
house of representatives.
| Mr.. Benton came to Boston in 1873
| and since then had lived in this CITY.
He built up an extensive law practice,
having been general counsel for the
Old Colony Railroad and Steamship
companies and later for the New Haven
interests, and he had been a director
and counsel for the Northern railroad
of New Hampshire, and III these capaci-
ties had been engaged in MANY notable
cases Of litigation. He lectured on cor
porations and railroads at Boston uni
versitv law school from the carly 80 S
until 1906.
Mr.. Benton became a trustee of the
Boston public library in 1894 and had
been since 1908 president Of the board.
He had served also as a trustee of TIE
Massachusetts state library and as
president Of its board He was also q
trustee of Boston university. He was
a member of the Bostonian society. the
New England Historic Genealogical so
ciety, Vermont Historical society, Yer
mont association, kiusley post of the
G. \. r., the Authors club, the London
club and the Algonquin club He was
Mason.
Mr.. Benton was the author of mono
graphs, addresses, etc, on legal, eco
nomic and legislative subjects, also Of
samuel Sladc Benton. His Ancestor;
aud Descendants; A Notable Libel Suit
Early Census Making IN Massachusetts
/, The Story of the Old Boston Tow
House; The Book Of Common Prayer
Warming Out in New England; Johi
Baskerville. Type Founder and Printer
and Voting in the Field.
i On May 10, 1866, Mr.. Benton married
Josephine f. Aldrich OF Bradford, VI
She died on April S, 1872. On Sept.
1875, he married Mary Elizabeth Alb
bott of Concord, y. II. They had n
children.
t In addition TO their Boston residenc
at 20 Newbury street, they have ha
summer home in bingham. Mrs. Ben
ton survives her husband.
q Mr.. Benton was in the habit OF TAX
T ing long trips abroad every summer i
/ the latter years of his life. Two year
$. ago he returned from his last vacatio
abroad having been IN the Austria
D, Tvrol when tho European war wa
e started. Hundreds of tourists ha
, neglected the precaution Of cashin
a their letters of credit. Mr.. Benton, how
r ever. had anticipated the trouble tha
e might follow the beginning of war an
- was able TO return TO America withor
e any discomfort On these EWopea
/ trips he frequented the book market
and studied foreign libraries.
/ His latest trip abroad, however, ";
- of special significance in that Mr.. Be-
'o ton then made the preparations for Il
y final installation Of the Sargent pain
&c ings in the Boston public library. The:
II paintings Mr.. Benton saw put in plaC
= only 4 short time before his death.
III Mr. Benton had accumulated one