Benjamin Brewster (June 30, 1828 – August 23, 1897) was an American industrialist, financier, and one of the original trustees of Standard Oil.
[1] He attended public schools in Norwich and went to work as a clerk in New York City.
[2] In 1849 he headed West to join the California Gold Rush, establishing a general mercantile store in San Francisco soon after his arrival.
His partner in this enterprise was Oliver Burr Jennings, and together they amassed a considerable fortune.
He was also a director of the International Navigation Company, owner of the American Line of steamers.