Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1921-12-16
HON. R. A. BENSELL PASSES

Captain Royal A. Bensall was born
at Cassville, Wisconsin June 4th, 1888
and died at Newport, December 9th at
o'clock p. m, 1921, aged SO years and
| 6 months. Captain Bensell was the
eldest child and received but limited
education, attending school in a log
house but six months in all his life.
In 1850 he began his career as a print
er in the office of the Clayton County
Herald, remaining on the force for
| three years. In 1854 he crossed the
plains with his father to San Jose,
California and engageu in placier min
ing in Amadar County. In 1861 he
enlisted in the Union Army as a priv
ate in Company D, Fourth California
regiment and served thirty seven
months. His company was sent to
Oregon and stationed at Fort YAM
hill and Fort HCskins md later to ST.
lez, but the Indians were peaceful and
he saw no active fighting. In 1866 he
was appointed farmer at Siletz Indian
Reservation and held that position for
three years. In 1866 he quit the In
dian Service and went on Depoe
, Slough, then called Millville, and in
company with two other gentlemen,
built sawmill and the following year
commenced to operaCe it. He carried
on a successful business here for a
period Of three years shipping lumber
to San Francisco. In 1870 he COM
menced building a schooner in the
Yaquina Ship Yard which was COM
pleted in 1878. He followed ship car
pentering for two years and in 1875
he was appointed collector OF customs
at Yaquina port holding the position
for four years and after a lapse Of
few years he was reappointed under
the Harrison administration and
served another four years. In 1880
he became interested in the Oregon
Pacific Railroad and for twelve years
looked after the interests Of that CON-
pany in this section of the country
running a steam boat for several
years from Newport to Elk City and
way points.
Capt. Bensell was typical pioneer
and was active in building roads,
schools, churches and everything for
the advancement Of the country. In
politics, Mr.. Bensell was staunch
Republican and has always been ac-
tive in the work of the party. He has
served often on both county and state
committees and is recognized as
party leader In 1868 he was elected
representative frcm Benton County
Lincoln County was not created then
and served one term. In 1882 he was
the Republican candidate for the
STATE Senate composed Of the District
of Polk and Benton counties, but was
defeated by ihe small majority OF
twentythree votes. He served as
mayor of Newport for four terms and
as councilman, seven terms. On .ac-
count of failing health he resigned the
sffice Of mayor and calmly and philo-
sophically awaited the coming Of the
end and like a child going to sleep he
passed to the Great Beyond
He was married to Mrs Mary Stur-
devanG at Millville, July 4th, 1869.
Captain Bensell is survived by his
widow, Mrs. Mary Bensell Of New
port, Oregon, and two sisters, Mrs.
w. H. Rich of Toledo, Oregon and
Mrs. Mary Skaggs of Summit Mr..
Bensell was a member Of the Episco-
pal Church at Newport and a superin.
tendent OF the Sunday School for
good many years
The funeral services were held at
the Presbyterian Church conducted by
Rev. H. Ralph Cell, pastor. The
church was crowded with friends and
neighbors. The Stars and Stripes
were placed upon the casket and
covered with a bower of flowers. Miss
inertia James sang a solo, THE Beau
tiful Land"-a favorite song OF Mr..
Bensell's. The quartet composed OF
T. H. Haleck, E. E. Reisinger, Walter
Reisinger and DR.. Forbes. sang in a
most impressive manner, another one
of Mr.. Bensell's favorite songs, "Some
Time Well Understand" The ser
mon was eloquent, impressive and ap-
propriate. The minister said he visit
ed Mr.. Bensell few days before he
died and as he left and shook hands, !
he said, you will never see me again J
in this life, but we will meet again in
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