Benson, George J. (1898-1982)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:7423#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: George Benson was born on December 26, 1898, in St. Cloud. Both of his parents immigrated to the United States from Sweden in the late 1800s. His father worked as a blacksmith in the St. Cloud quarries, while his mother worked as a maid for the Whitney family. Benson graduated from the St. Cloud State in 1920, taught in the Dakotas for a couple of years before teaching in the Panama Canal Zone. Benson later received his Master’s in Education from Atlanta’s Ogelthorpe University, where he taught shop and general science for 25 years. Benson and his wife returned to St. Cloud when they retired.

Transcript Summary: The first part of the interview is focused on Benson's family background. Much attention of the oral history focused on Benson’s parents, who emigrated to St. Cloud from Sweden at different times. Benson's mother worked as a maid for the Whitney family, most likely in the house that remains on campus today. Benson’s father worked as a blacksmith in the quarries. Considerable attention was also paid to Benson's schooling in the St. Cloud area, particularly to his time at the St. Cloud Normal School. Benson discussed his relationships with several teachers as well as his participation in and recollection of extracurricular activities.

Benson had short-lived teaching experiences in both North and South Dakota before receiving his B.S. from Bradley University in Illinois. He then moved to the Panama Canal Zone to teach for five years, where he and his wife started a family. Benson discussed his time in Atlanta, where he received his Master’s Degree and taught for 25 years in the same room.

Lastly, Benson chronicled his return to St. Cloud, as well as the education of his two sons, who also attended St. Cloud State University. In addition, the interviewer asks Benson about how the school was affected by World War I, though Benson claims he did not notice any significant change.