Philip Benner

Background

Philip Benner was born on May 19, 1762, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the son of Henry and Dinah (Thomas) Benner. His father, an ardent Whig, was imprisoned by the British during the Revolution.

Career

Philip, a youth in his early teens, enlisted as a private under his neighbor and relative, Gen. Anthony Wayne, and served through the war. At the conclusion of the conflict he engaged in the iron business at Coventry in the northern part of Chester County and at the same time conducted a store in Vincent township. Believing that there was a brighter future toward the west he purchased in 1792 the Rock Forge lands on Spring Creek, Centre County, and in the following year commenced his improvements by erecting a house and sawmill. In 1794 he set up what was probably the first forge in Centre County, in 1799 he erected a slitting-mill, and in 1800 a second forge and a nail-mill.

These early enterprises were carried on under great difficulty, for it was necessary to transport from Chester County not only his workmen but also the provisions to maintain them. From the time of his arrival at Spring Creek, however, until his death forty years later, Benner was the leading iron manufacturer of that region, greatly extending his operations and building up a large fortune. Benner’s first iron had been shipped to the East, but impressed with the rising importance of the West, he struck out in a new channel by opening up an iron trade with Pittsburgh. As a result of this he engaged without competition for many years in the transportation of "Juniata iron" to Pittsburgh and the Western country.

Benner was a man of many interests. Not only did he manufacture and transport iron by his own teams, but he maintained stores in Ferguson township and at Bellefonte. Like most wealthy men of the time he speculated heavily in real estate and accumulated a large amount. In 1824 he commenced operating the Logan's Branch Woolen Factory. As the leading shipper of Centre County he was naturally interested in transportation facilities, and among the foremost in the movement for their development. He was the first president (1821) of the Centre and Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company and with two others represented Centre County as commissioner of the Bellefonte, Aaronsburg and Youngstown Turnpike Company, created by a law of April 11, 1825. One of the founders of Bellefonte, he contributed largely to the construction of the waterworks in 1808 and erected a number of the best houses in the village.

Interested in politics, he established in 1827 the Centre Democrat to promote the Jacksonian democracy but he did not personally edit this newspaper, and sold it in 1831 to John Bigler, later governor of California. Benner died in 1832.

Achievements

• Philip Benner was one of the most efficient businessmen of his time. Benner was engaged in the transportation of "Juniata iron" to Pittsburgh and the Western country thus becoming the leading iron manufacturer of Pennsylvania, building up a large fortune. He also maintained stores in Ferguson township and at Bellefonte; speculated heavily in real estate; contributed largely to the construction of the waterworks in Bellefonte; established the Centre Democrat newspaper; and was the first president of the Centre and Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company.

Religion

Benner's religious affiliations were with the Quakers.

Personality

A man of great industry, alert mind, and indomitable will, Benner represented the type of frontiersman who, already in possession of some capital, moved westward to enlarge his fortune and contribute prominently to the upbuilding of a community.

Connections

Philip Benner married Ruth Roberts by whom he had a large family.

Father:

Henry Benner

Mother:

Dinah (Thomas) Benner

Wife:

Ruth (Roberts) Benner

Daughter:

Ruth (Benner) Armor

Daughter:

Mary Roberts (Benner) Wilson

Daughter:

Hannah (Benner) Waddle

Daughter:

Peninnah (Benner) Kepheart

Son:

Thomas Roberts Benner

Son:

Henry Benner

Son:

Josiah Matlock Benner

Son:

Philip Benner