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History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

NATHAN BENSON AND FAMILY 1854 - 1858
Data furnished by Bell Benson Mahuer and Coe Record's. D.M.C

Nathan S. Benson came to Dog River in June 1854, in company with Nathaniel Coe and William Jenkins. He located a homestead on the east aide of the river, it is now known as the "Button Farm".
Only a few years since, the little house which Nathan Benson built in 1854 was torn down to make room for Mr. Button's modern residence. During the summer of 1854, Nathaniel Coe and his two sons, Charles and Eugene, Wm. Jenkins and Nathan Benson were the only white inhabitants in the valley. Mrs. Coe and Henry joined them in September and Mrs. Jenkins and James Benson in November and these were the only settlers until after the close of the Indian war in 1856.
When the Joslyn home was burned early in March 1856, Nathan Benson and his brother James went with Lieutenant Davidson and his soldiers on board the Wasco, for the purpose of punishing the murderous savages. They were of the party of 10 that stole quietly down to the river's edge near midnight of March 26th, and em-barked in the canoe of old Wacusha, the faithful Indian friend. They helped to paddle the craft to safety and returned to put in the crops and care for the stock In all activities of the settlement Mr. Benson was prominent and his home was often chosen for public meetings.
He went back to N.Y. in 1858 and married his old sweetheart. When he returned with his wife, they were accompanied by Miss Margaret Williamson, fiancee of his brother James.
Their daughter Florence was born in December 1859 and was one of Hood River's first babies. Walter Jenkins was probably the first.
Mrs. Martha Benson was, if not the first, the second postmaster in the valley. Claims for that honor are made for both Wm. Stillwell and Mrs. Benson but dates are not obtainable. The family returned to N.Y. where Nathan Benson died in 1869.