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Benjamin Wetherill Brunson

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Benjamin Wetherill Brunson
Member of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives
In office
September 3, 1849 – January 6, 1852
Personal details
Born1823 (1823)
Detroit, Michigan
Died1898(1898-00-00) (aged 74–75)
Political partyWhig[1]
RelativesAlfred Brunson (father)
Ira B. Brunson (brother)
OccupationSurveyor
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnion Army
RankLieutenant
Unit8th Minnesota Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Benjamin Wetherill Brunson[a] (1823–1898) was an American surveyor and politician who served in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives from 1849 until 1852. He was one of the original platters of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Biography

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Brunson's house in Saint Paul

Brunson was born in 1823 in Detroit. His father, Alfred Brunson, was a prominent Methodist preacher. In 1835, the Brunsons moved to Prairie du Chien, then a part of Michigan Territory.[2]

Brunson came to Saint Paul in 1847 and assisted his brother, Ira B. Brunson, in platting the city for the first time. He would then serve in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives for the first and second sessions.[3][4]

In 1855, the Benjamin Brunson House was built. It was built in a federal style and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is one of the oldest surviving houses in Saint Paul.[2]

Brunson joined the 8th Minnesota Infantry Regiment for the Civil War. The regiment would eventually merge into William Tecumseh Sherman's army in North Carolina. He achieved the rank of lieutenant.[5]

He died in Saint Paul in May 1898.[3][4]

Notes

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  1. ^ His last name has also been spelled as Bronson

References

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  1. ^ "Circular of the Whig Members of the Legislature in Relation to the Disposition of the Public Printing". The Minnesota Pioneer. 13 February 1851. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lutz, Thomas. "Benjamin Brunson House". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Volume 14. Minnesota Historical Society. 1912. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Minnesota in Three Centuries, 1655-1908. Publishing Society of Minnesota. 1908. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  5. ^ "Eighth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
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