Alfred Benson
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 5 - July 10, 1958
When Alfred BENSON died in a Denver hospital in May, Eagle County bid farewell to a man who had devoted his life to the education of county young people.
He had been a member of Eagle county school board system for 35 years, and treasurer of the Eagle County High School Committee for 35 years. Living in a far end of the county, Mr. BENSON rarely missed a school committee meeting in spite of road and weather conditions.
A lumberman in the Pando-Red Cliff area, Mr. Benson served on the Pando school board. That district was established in 1883, and his school service there totaled 35 years. During World War II, when Camp Hale was established at Pando, Mr. BENSON worked untiringly with government officials in establishing a school for several hundred children of civilian workers, where only accommodations for half a dozen or so students existed. Through Mr. BENSON's cooperation, an eight room school was built on the military reservation. When the camp was abandoned in 1945, Mr. BENSON continued his efforts to maintain a school at Pando.
His keen interest in the welfare of young people was further evidenced by his regular contribution to an orphanage.
Born in Tarup Hollands, Sweden June 4, 1874, he lacked a few days of being 84 when he died late in May. He came to American in June 1894 at the age of 20 and became an American citizen April 28, 1901.
He was a member of Eagles Lodge 43, F&AM; Leadville Chapter No. 10, RAM, Alpha Council No. 13, R&SM, Mt. Holy Cross Commandery No. 5 KT, Colorado Consistory No. 1 A&ASR.
He operated a logging and lumber business in the Pando, Shrine Pass and Red Cliff area since 1905. He was postmaster at Pando prior to Camp Hale.
