Joseph Benham

Who is Joseph Benham?

Joseph Benham, son of Captain Robert Benham, was born in Kentucky.

In 1815, Joseph graduated from the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, its first graduation class.

In his famous book “Old Court House” Judge Carter reported that Benham "wore a large buff vest and a brown broadcloth frock coat. He had a graceful and easy delivery. His voice was extremely deep but melodious, and according to the narrator was a most impressive one." On February 27, 1823, President James Monroe appointed him U.S. Attorney for the District of Ohio.

In 1825, delivered a welcome speech to General La Fayette on behalf of the City of Cincinnati. Ten years later, in 1835, Joseph Benham became one of three law professors at the Cincinnati College where Jacob Burnet served on the Board of Trustees.

In 1839 he was one of several persons interviewed by the Ohio Democratic Party to possibly receive their nomination to the U.S. Senate to replace U.S. Senator Thomas Morris.

Joseph Benham died prematurely on July 15, 1840 while in New Orleans and was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Louisville. On January 1, 1858 he was re-interred in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati; his wife Maria was buried there July 3, 1884.