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were naturally small. This fostered an intimacy between teacher and pupil that has become quite impossible with the growth of later years.
To Chancellor Benton and his occasional addresses over the state was due in no small degree the confidence of the people in the ultimate success of their University. He made them feel that the young men and women of the state were fortunate to come under his influence, and were sure to receive inspiration from contact with him.
Chancellor Benton was born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1822. His father Allen Benton, was a descendant of the Ethan Allen family in Vermont. He attended Fulton Academy, Oswego, New York, thence went to Bethany College, Virginia, now in West Virginia, where he was graduated with first honors in mathematics and languages in 1847. Following graduation, he conducted an academy in Rush county, Indiana, for six years. At the end of this time, declining a professorship of mathematics at his alma mater, Bethany, he accepted a professorship of ancient languages at Northwestern Christian University, which opened in 1855 at Indianapolis. He served there as president and professor for many years. In January, 1871, he was elected as the first chancellor of the University of Nebraska. In 1876, he returned to Northwestern Christian University, now Butler College, as professor of philosophy, and was soon elected its president. Dr. Benton resigned in 1900, and retired from educational work, having taught in academy and college for more than fifty consecutive years. He left three children, Grace Benton Dales, wife of J. Stuart Dales, the first graduate of the University of Nebraska and present secretary of the board of regents, Mattie Benton Stewart, wife of Judge W. E. Stewart of Lincoln, and Howard Benton of Indianapolis. His grandson, Benton Dales, was professor of chemistry at the University from 1903 till 1917, when he left academic work to enter commercial life.
It was my good fortune to renew my acquaintance with Chancellor Benton after he returned to Lincoln to spend
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