Amos S. Benson

Son of Simon Benson and "First Lieutenant" to Multnomah County Roadmaster John B. Yeon.

"[Simon] Benson had received no formal schooling, and his greatest regret in life was his inability to interest son Amos in higher education. 'There is nothing in the world I would not do,' he said in 1959 [uh, Taylor, he died in 1942!], 'if only I could persuade him to go to school.' This failure may have explained his efforts to create Portland's Benson Polytechnic High School."

"In an election held April 14, 1915, Multnomah County voters approved a bond issue for $1,250,000 to pave the highway from Portland to the Hood River County line. Amos S. Benson and John B. Yeon spearheaded the spring campaign, which resulted in overwhelming support for the job."

"As a first lieutenant, or second to Mr. John B. Yeon, Mr. A. S. Benson, his close friend and neighbor, is entitled to receive a large share of appreciation, for he, too, has been untiring in his efforts and has given largely of his time and private means to forward this great work."

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