[1] He arrived without means in the United States at age 11, became a stonemason and bricklayer, created Ragnar Benson Inc. in 1922 and by 1969 was given the Horatio Alger Award.

His firm worked for many major U. S. companies, built Chrysler assembly plant, Belvidere, 1964-65 and the famous towers at Three Mile Island.

Benson, a big, mild man with twisted, trembling fingers, said he was offering the guarantee "because Chicago has been good to me.

The tour generated a great deal of attention in Sweden,[5] and they were followed by journalists and interested onlookers as they traveled from one reunion to another in Småland.

[7] In 1963, Benson was back in Sweden this time with 35 relatives and old-time employees whom he considered “all a part of my family.” The 63-year-old construction contractor gave another purpose of the trip.