Charles R. Benjamin
Col. Samuel Benjamin (the grandfather of Charles R.), as near we can learn, was born in the State of Maine. He served in the struggle for independence seven years, and held the rank of a Colonel. He raised a large family of children. One daughter married Israel Washburn, the father of the four Washburn brothers who have been Members of the National Congress. Nathaniel, a son, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the State of Maine in the year 1790, and married Betsy Chase. They raised a family of six children. Charles R., the youngest of the family, was born in Maine in 1830. He was reared on a farm until he became of age. After arriving at his majority he went to work in a D. Handle factory, at which business he has been engaged from that time to the present. In the year 1870 he started a manufactory for himself in Pennsylvania, which he carried on until 1879, at which time he came to Sidney and established works of the same kind. In 1862 he married Miss Mary Johnston. By this union they have two children, Abba S., and Charles W.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883