Erastus Benson
Erastus A. Benson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Iowa, United States |
| Died | 1932 |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, investor, land speculator |
| Known for | Founding member of the National Phonograph Association; founder of Benson Place in Omaha, Nebraska |
Erastus A. Benson (February 10, 1854 – 1932) was a banker, investor, and land speculator who operated primarily out of Omaha, Nebraska. After completing his studies at the University of Iowa, Benson focused on land investments in the Omaha region and early enterprises involving phonograph and Kinetoscope innovations. He was among the founding members of the prominent National Phonograph Association, and the former community of Benson, Nebraska was named in his honor.
Early life and education
Erastus Benson was born in Iowa on February 10, 1854. He pursued higher education at Wesleyan College before attending the University of Iowa.
Land speculation
In 1886, Benson relocated to Omaha, where he amassed considerable real estate holdings through his Omaha Abstract and Trust Company. The following year, he acquired roughly from John Creighton, a businessman, consisting of farmland situated nine miles northwest of Omaha. On March 4, 1887, Benson officially laid out the subdivision known as Benson Place and obtained authorization to operate a streetcar service linking it to Omaha proper. To entice potential residents, he enlisted Charles Jesse "Buffalo" Jones to maintain buffalo herds along Military Road as a unique attraction.
Benson was a recognized figure within Omaha’s commercial circles, holding memberships in both the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Real Estate Exchange.
Investments and politics
During the late 1890s, Benson contributed significantly to establishing the Chicago Central Phonograph Company, the first regional affiliate associated with the North American Phonograph Company. He collaborated with Alfred O. Tate and Thomas Lombard in this endeavor. Subsequently, Benson founded and led the Nebraska Phonograph Company, securing an exclusive contract with Edison that allowed him to dominate phonograph distribution throughout the Midwest for several years. In this capacity, he discovered Leon Douglass—a self-taught telephone operator—who invented one of the earliest functional coin-operated phonographs and transferred the patent rights to Benson.
After Thomas Edison developed the Kinetoscope, Benson partnered with others including Alfred O. Tate and Thomas Lombard to market Edison's films via the independent Kinetoscope Company.
In 1906, Benson sought public office as a Republican candidate with a platform aimed at reforming Omaha’s notorious "open town" image. His campaign faced opposition from criminal factions led by Tom Dennison, whose candidate, "Cowboy Jim" Dahlman, prevailed and served eight consecutive terms. Following this defeat, Benson withdrew from political pursuits.
Philanthropy and interests
While developing Benson Place, Erastus Benson donated parcels of land for community infrastructure including a schoolhouse, a town hall that also functioned as a church and community center, as well as an orphanage.
During World War I, answering President Woodrow Wilson's appeal, Benson took on the role of vice-president for the Nebraska branch of the American Committee for Armenian-Syrian Relief based in Omaha. This organization provided assistance to victims affected by Turkish aggression against Armenians, Syrians, and Greeks.
Among Benson's lasting legacies are around twenty original recordings dating from 1866 to 1878 that are preserved within the Edison Sheet Music Collection at the United States Library of Congress.