John N. Bensen: A Symbol of Community and Humility

At 402 6th Avenue South in St. Cloud, Minnesota, stands a majestic red brick home that provides a relaxing getaway for travelers. Built in Victorian style for between $6,000 and $7,000 in 1903, Heritage Home Bed and Breakfast offers four different suites for its guests and provides a fun community feel that is unattainable at one of St. Cloud’s mega hotels. However, one of the most intriguing elements of this bed and breakfast lies not in the traveler’s connection to the other guests, but rather in the connection that can be felt to the original tenant. Upon entering the front door one is seemingly thrust back in time as the décor and craftsmanship have been kept largely authentic. Distinguished features such as the stained glass windows, gaudy wallpaper packed with intricately ornate patterns, and its original German woodworking give this structure a character lost in modern homes. While this weekend getaway may seem merely a quaint place to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s world, further exploration gives light to the fact that guests are spending time in the home of one of St. Cloud’s most historically revered citizens.

On Tuesday, August 28th, 1917, the St. Cloud area was crushed with the loss of a prominent member of their community. John Nickolas Bensen passed away suddenly in his home that morning. The death was shocking to all. Though Bensen had recently been ill with excessive blood pressure and hardening arteries, he was seemingly improving and had returned to his position as president at the Merchants National Bank. According to the St. Cloud Journal Press, Bensen was feeling ill that morning, but declared he would be going into work that day. He never made it, passing into death in the comfort of his favorite chair. He was sixty seven years of age. The day of his death the local papers were full of not only obituaries, but front page stories of the tragic loss. Certainly the community had lost an admired local hero as was evident in one newspaper which entitled its obituary, “Most Worthy Citizen.” The question remains, why such pomp and circumstance for a sixty seven year old wealthy German banker? The answer it turns out is less good business and more goodwill.

John Bensen was born on June 23rd, 1850 in Odisheim, an area located in the western portion of Hanover, Germany. He traveled to the United States in 1870 and settled in Brooklyn, New York. After spending roughly one year there as a grocery clerk he moved west coming to settle in St. Paul, Minnesota. His adventures in this city were interesting to say the least, but show the first glimpse into his economic savvy. Upon arrival to St. Paul in 1871 he became a pie salesman. Merely a stepping stone for other endeavors, he sold pies only long enough to gain the wealth necessary to begin a venture into the candy business. Candy provided a steady, but not particularly handsome profit. Realizing the limited earning potential he jumped at an offer presented to him. Selling his candy business for the necessary $500 he purchased all the seats at the fair grounds for a three night engagement. According to a personal interview logged at the Stearns County Historical Museum, the first night of the show was met by torrential downpour which left every seat empty. Fearing his risky undertaking would experience total failure he toiled throughout the night hoping the two remaining shows would yield better results. His worry was all for not as the following two nights brought on great weather and packed houses. He left the endeavor with 200% of his original investment.

In 1872, not long after his success at the fair he moved to St. Cloud where he went into a partnership on a grocery store. With the rapid success of this business he proceeded to buy out his partner and welcome in a new one. His brother, Andrew Bensen, became co-owner of the store in late 1872. The new team renamed the store Bensen Brothers. This grocery store was unlike many others providing goods at wholesale prices and offering delivery. During his time at the grocery store Benson became a U.S. citizen and met his wife. The daughter of two French immigrants, Elizabeth Metzroth, was a St. Cloud native who worked for her Alma Mater St. Benedict Academy. John and Andrew worked together until Andrew’s unexpected death at work in 1902. This business endeavor pronounced for the first time John N. Bensen as a leader in the community.

After his brother’s death John turned the store over to two of his five sons. His new career was a brief, yet successful stint as a realtor from 1903-1908. It was during this period that he had the 6th Avenue home constructed by architect Sam Haas. Toward the end of his time in real estate he was asked to be an executive board member of the 1st National Bank. He accepted and held this position for a brief period, but in 1908 was offered the position of president at the Merchants National Bank. Though holding both positions simultaneously with a great degree of success he relinquished his post at the 1st National Bank later that year. It was during his time as president at Merchants National Bank that he became synonymous with St. Cloud’s economic prosperity. The St. Cloud area businesses boomed and new ones sprung up. If an established business in town was failing, Bensen could be counted on to lend a hand that would surely lead them out of the red before long. As he continued to lead the bank he became a symbol of trust and responsibility in the area, a fact that was stated in one of his obituaries. In reference to Bensen the St. Cloud Journal Times stated, “Character, reputation, and integrity of its officials are the most important factors in the success and stability of a banking institution.” Sentiments like this led to an intense pressure from the community to run for office. Being always humble he did not like the idea of gaining more notoriety then he already had. However, he could not refuse when one of his friends told him to run for office not for himself, but because he “owed it to the people.” Bensen could not turn down a chance to help his fellow man. He was elected to the Water Board and eventually to both the offices of Alderman and Mayor of St. Cloud. At the end of his political career he retired back to his position as president of the Merchants Nation Bank, a position he held until his death.

While John N. Bensen held many prominent positions in the St. Cloud area and is the quintessential example of the American dream, he would rather that not be his legacy. Above all he was a man of goodwill and humility. He worked tirelessly for the fellow members of the community. Whether it was delivering groceries to those who could not make the journey, selling food at prices all could afford, or pulling a local business out of certain financial termination, Bensen was a model citizen who served the community without any expectation of praise or acknowledgement.

*Information drawn from files at the Stearns County History Museum. Information was taken from both the John N. Bensen and 402 6th Avenue S. folders.