Hardware merchant, community activist.
Born at Edmonton, Alberta on 14 May 1905, he moved to Winnipeg at an early age where he was a member of the first graduating class from St. Ignatius School. He joined the Canadian National Railway, surveying northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
On 29 July 1931, he married Marjorie Elizabeth Schinold (c1907-1994) at St. Ignatius Church in Winnipeg, and after a few years in Saskatchewan at Loon Lake and St. Walberg, they returned to Winnipeg and settled in the Fort Rouge area. They had seven children. The family resided at 326-508 McMillan Avenue (St. Julien Apartments; circa 1936), 1326 Wellington Crescent, and 598 Wardlaw Avenue before moving to 736 McMillan Avenue in 1942. During the Second World War, he worked at MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Company. In 1949, he founded Corydon Hardware Limited, operating the business with his son Michael until retirement.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, board member of the Earl Grey Community Club, founding member of the Sierra Club of Winnipeg, lead organizer for the St. Ignatius Credit Union, advisor for the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and Chairman of the St. Ignatius School Board (1954).
He died on 5 January 1998 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery. He and his wife are commemorated by Benson Park in Winnipeg, immediately adjacent to their former property.
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Corydon Hardware Building (838 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg)
“Falls from balcony, but is only bruised,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 March 1936, page 20.
“Births,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 May 1937, page 24.
“St. Ignatius Parish reports sound finances,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 February 1954, page 6.
“Nuptial Mass marks Couture - Benson bridal,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 September 1954, page 16.
“Engagement announcements,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 June 1962, page 14.
“Benson - Carroll,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 July 1963, page 17.
“Social,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 1965, page 18.
“Park to honor local couple,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 1993, page A12.
Obituary [Marjorie Elizabeth Benson], Winnipeg Free Press, 4 May 1994, page C5.
Obituary [Edward Joseph Benson], Winnipeg Free Press, 7 January 1998, page C6.
FindAGrave, Elmwood Cemetery
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 27 May 2024
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:
Custom SearchBrowse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | ZBrowse deaths occurring in:
1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.caCriteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements
Help us keep
history alive!
