Charles W. Benton, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Charles W. Benton
CHARLES W. BENTON, who as president presides over the destinies of the Valparaiso National Bank and First Trust Company - a full account of which will be found in the chapter on banks and banking in Volume I of this work - was born near Freemont, Sandusky County, Ohio, the son of Asa and Sarah (Gunsaul) Benton, who were from the vicinity of Medina County, Ohio. To this union were born four children: Charles W.; Gilbert, a practicing physician of Cleveland, Ohio; Reuben, who died at the age of sixty in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Mary, the wife of Cornelius Houts before her death, which occurred in 1903 at Gibsonburg, Ohio.
Charles W. Benton was educated in the schools of Freemont, Ohio, and subsequently served as superintendent of schools in Gibsonburg, Ohio, in 1882-1883. He then entered Valparaiso University and in 1883 received his degree of B. S., after which he became dean of the commercial department of that university. He was associated with this institution for more than thirty years, and during the latter years of his service he became a director of the banking institution of which he is now president. In 1908 he was chosen head of the First Trust Company and also the bank, and has ably directed their affairs since that time. His life has been of the most useful kind, dedicated to the service of his fellowmen, and particularly to the proper shaping of the young lives which were entrusted to his tutorship.
While eminently interested in educational life, he at the same time has kept in mind certain civic duties that all men of his type find imposed upon them; from early voting age he has been identified with the republican party, and he early entered into the political life of this community. His first service of this city was as a member of the city council, representing the First Ward, and for six years as county commissioner, representing the Center District. He has other financial interests, including a directorship in the Valparaiso Building-Loan Fund and Savings Association.
Mr. Benton was united in marriage with Elmina, daughter of Samuel and Ann J. Hackett, who were early settlers in this community and occupied a splendid position in its social life. To this union were born two sons: Thomas H., who is engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Kruddup & Benton, and who married Lucy Biggart, to which marriage were born two children, Robert and Thomas; and Leland, who is associated with the Gary Engineering Company at Gary. His marriage was with Ellen Reed, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; to this union were born four children: Douglass, Samuel, Charles and David. Mrs. Charles Benton also attended Valparaiso University.
Mr. Benton is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Porter County Bankers' Association, and the American and Indiana Bankers' Associations. A review of the personal forces that have entered into the larger life of this region finds Mr. Benton occupying a place of prominence in the cultural, social and business elements of our society. His place in life was earned through service of a singularly high order. While a banker of attainments, his development has been rather on a more aesthetic plane than is found in the intense material business world of today, although in his career as an educator we find that splendid preparation for business and study of the accepted business principles as taught by him for many years in the commercial department of Valparaiso University.
Mr. Benton edited and published a book on practical bookkeeping which has been used extensively throughout the country and which has been the source of financial success to the author.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 242-243
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook