Born in San Jose, California, in 1858, Frank Benson attended the Portland Academy but returned to San Jose to attend the College of the Pacific. Graduating with an M.A. in 1882, he moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where he taught school and served as the superintendent of schools for Douglas County. He then held various public offices and served as president of the State Normal School at Drain. In 1896 he was elected to the office of Oregon Secretary of State, and in 1909 he acceded to the governorship when Governor George E. Chamberlain took a seat in the U.S. Senate. Resigning in 1910 due to ill health, Benson was reelected Secretary of State, but died in 1911 before the completion of his term. He was married in 1883 to Harriet Ruth Benjamin, and the couple had two sons.
From the guide to the Frank Williamson Benson papers, 1906-1910, (Oregon Historical Society)
