E. B. (BENSON) ALFORD, JR.

The following bio was taken from page 89 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

E. B. Alford, Jr. was the third son of E. B., Sr. and Ella Overton Alford. The public and the family have always called E. B. Alford, Jr., "Benson." He was educated in the local schools, Tyler Commercial College, and was a cadet at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. He served in World War I during 1918-1919.

In 1923 Benson married Maude Elizabeth Woodyard of Carthage, Texas. He and his wife have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was educated at Hockaday School in Dallas, Camp Waldemar in Kerrville and graduated at The University of Texas in Austin. She is married to Dr. T. G. Coleman, a native of Amarillo, who practices at San Angelo, Texas. Dr. and Mrs. Coleman have three children, Robert Benson, who married Nancy Doss of San Angelo and lives at Midland, Texas, and they have two children, Gabriel B. and Virginia Caroline. Thomas G. Coleman and Mary Maud Coleman both live in Dallas. Mary Maud is married to Mike Tabor and they have two children, David Benson and Mary Elizabeth.

For twenty-five years Benson Alford was the manager of the Alford Brothers Motor Company. He served the Henderson Industrial Trust for twenty-two years. The purpose of the Trust was to encourage industry to move to Henderson and Rusk County. Benson was one of the key negotiators with industries which now occupy the Industrial Park and surrounding area of Henderson. He has been active in the oil and gas business throughout his career. He is a Mason and a Shriner. For many years he was a director of the Citizens National Bank of Henderson and served two terms on the city council. He has been the President of the Rusk County Chamber of Commerce, serving in that capacity in 1937.

Benson and his wife have retired from business and other activities. They visit their daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoy a slower-paced life. Nothing is more satisfying to Benson Alford than the progress he sees and has been a part of in Henderson and Rusk County.

Submitted by Virginia Knapp.