Benn Conger

Benn Conger (1900)

Benn Conger (October 29, 1856 – February 28, 1922) was an American businessman, banker and politician from New York.

Life

He was born on October 29, 1856, in Groton, Tompkins County, New York.

He was President of the Standard Typewriter Company which was renamed Corona Typewriter Company in 1914, and merged after his death to form Smith Corona. He was also President of the Groton Mechanics' Bank.

Conger was a member of the New York State Assembly (Tompkins Co.) in 1900 and 1901.[1]

He was a member of the New York State Senate in 1909 and 1910. In January 1910, he opposed the election of Jotham P. Allds as President pro tempore of the State Senate, and accused Allds of having demanded, and received, a bribe in 1901 when both Conger and Allds had been members of the State Assembly. Eventually Allds was found guilty, and resigned first the presidency pro tempore and then his senate seat. Conger himself also resigned his seat, on April 4, 1910, and retired from politics.[2]

He died on February 28, 1922, at his home in Groton, New York,[3] which is now "The Benn Conger Inn".[4]

Sources

  1. Official New York from Cleveland to Hughes by Charles Elliott Fitch (Hurd Publishing Co., New York and Buffalo, 1911, Vol. IV; pg. 345f, 348 and 367)
  2. CONGER RESIGNS; ADMITS FAULT in the New York Times on April 5, 1910
  3. Ex-State Senator Ben (sic) Conger in the New York Times on March 1, 1922
  4. Groton by Rosemarie Palmer Tucker (Arcadia Publishing, 2009; "Images of America" series; pg. 8)

External links

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Theron Johnson
New York State Assembly
Tompkins County

1900–1901
Succeeded by
George E. Monroe
New York State Senate
Preceded by
Benjamin M. Wilcox
New York State Senate
41st District

1909–1910
Succeeded by
John F. Murtaugh