[2] He attended public school in Guildhall and at the age of 14 became a page in the Vermont Senate.

[3] In 1882, Benton moved to Boston, where he found work in the office of insurance broker John C. Paige.

[4] Benton served on the Massachusetts State Republican Committee and was a member of Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge's staff.

That same year he received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and became a member of Massachusetts Consistory.

Grand Sovereign of the Imperial Council of Vermont of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine.

Benton fell severely ill with pneumonia in 1917 and remained in poor health until his death on February 4, 1924.

[4] In 1901, Benton donated a combined library and Masonic lodge to his native town of Guildhall.