CENTRAL OREGON HISTORY: May Benson Johnson led a prolific life in Jefferson County

Rose May Benson was born on Sept. 19, 1878, in Bardstown, Kentucky. She grew up in Eaton County, Michigan, and attended local school. She graduated from Michigan State Normal School. She had an adventurous spirit and moved to Montana to begin her teaching career. She met William Johnson while teaching in Montana. William was born on Aug. 10, 1875, in Clifford, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Nebraska and moved to Montana as a young man. May, as she was commonly known, began a romantic relationship with William, and they were married in Forsythe, Montana, on Jan. 14, 1904. They had two daughters while living in Montana.

The lure of a developing community in Madras, Oregon, led them to move to Madras. William began working at the Madras Pioneer and later also served as editor of the paper and also was a cashier at the Madras Bank. May taught English, Latin and German at the Madras High School. They were both involved in local social organizations and in community affairs. May furthered her education by acquiring a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon. Another daughter was added to the family while in Madras.

William passed away on Dec. 30, 1924. May at that time purchased the Madras Pioneer from Howard Turner. She was the editor and publisher of the paper until she sold it in 1947. She also became the postmaster of Madras in 1933. She continued in that position until she retired in 1948. She was very well known in the local community and was very active in local affairs. She served seven years as the chairman of the Jefferson County Red Cross. She was a very influential person. May passed away in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 12, 1949. She was one of the outstanding pioneers of Madras and Jefferson County. Both William and May are buried in the Mount Jefferson Memorial Park in Madras.