Benjamin Hershey (10 April 1813 – 24 August 1893) was a lumber and farming magnate in the U.S. states of Iowa and Nebraska during the middle to late 19th century.
Benjamin Hershey of Muscatine, Iowa, had for forty years prior to his decease, in 1893, been recognized as one of the more prominent lumbermen of the Mississippi River.
Returning to Pennsylvania, in company with a drover who was taking a herd of cattle to the eastern market, he settled down upon the farm which, at his father's death, came into his possession, and for 18 years, operated it successfully, raising and owning some of the finest blooded horses in the state.
In May, 1853, he rented a small sawmill in South Muscatine, which he afterwards purchased and operated until 1857, when he proceeded to build a mill costing US$70,000 and containing four gangs of saws, in addition to a mulay used for siding down the larger logs.
Prior to going abroad she had for several years been chief accountant in her father's office, and in that capacity will be pleasantly remembered by many of the early lumbermen of Iowa.
For several years past, after completing her studies abroad, Mira has taken an active interest in the operations of the Hershey Lumber Company and has held office therein as secretary and vice-president.