Benson, Alfred W., lawyer and United States senator, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 15, 1843, a son of Peleg and Hannah (Washburn) Benson. He received an academic education at Jamestown and Randolph in his native state, and in 1862 enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York regiment; was severely wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, and at the close of the war was mustered out with the rank of major. In 1866 he was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, N. Y., and in 1869 removed to Kansas, locating at Ottawa. On May 10, 1870, he married Miss Unettie L. Townsend of Manchester, Vt. Mr. Benson served for four years as a member of the Kansas state senate; was district judge from 1885 to 1897, and on June 11, 1906, was appointed United States senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph R. Burton. On Aug. 1, 1907, Gov. Hoch appointed Mr. Benson one of the associate justices of the Kansas supreme court to complete the unexpired term of Adrian L. Greene, deceased, and upon retiring from the supreme bench he resumed the practice of law.