Worshipful Brother Joseph Benham
Worshipful Brother Joseph Benham, prominent attorney, former US Attorney, and the 11th Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge #17. On February 27, 1823, President James Monroe appointed him U.S. Attorney for the District of Ohio. In 1839 Benham 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. In 1824 he made a reception speech for General Marquis De Lafayette upon his visit to Hamilton, Ohio in 1875 the Hamilton Examiner said Mr. Benham was known as a great orator, that his voice and speech were captivating! There is no known portrait of WB Benham.