Benjamin Franklin Marsh (November 19, 1835 – June 2, 1905) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois in the late 19th century to early 20th century. He was also a lawyer, soldier, agriculture manager, stock raiser, and Illinois State Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner.
Early life
Benjamin Marsh was born in 1835[1][2] in Warsaw, Illinois (Hancock County). He first studied law in Warsaw, and after attending law school was admitted to the bar in 1860. He continued to study law after the American Civil War until 1877, when he was elected Illinois State Representative.
Civil War
Benjamin enlisted into the 16th Illinois Infantry Regiment as a private. He was later commissioned as a colonel. Benjamin received the Purple Heart when he received a piece of shrapnel in the foot. He participated in battles such as Shiloh and Antietam. Marsh "served continuously until January, 1866, having campaigned in every seceding state except Virginia and the two Carolinas; he received four gunshot wounds and carries in his body rebel lead".[3] After the war ended he continued his law practices until 1877.
Government office
Benjamin Marsh first started his way into the Illinois Government office by becoming the Republican candidate for membership of the Illinois State Constitutional Convention and was elected. He served until 1869.
In 1877 he was elected as a Republican to the 45th, 46th and 47th Congress. (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883)
Marsh then became chairman for the Committee on Pensions, and was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882 to the 48th Congress.
He then became chairman on the Committee of the Militia (54th through 56th Congresses).
Marsh then was unsuccessful when he ran for reelection for the 57th Congress, but was successful when he ran for election to the 58th and 59th, which he served until his death.
Jobs
U.S. Representative (1877–1883) (1893–1901) (1903–1905)
