Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ruben & Laura Benjamin House
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
1. Ruben & Laura Benjamin House Marker
Ruben & Laura
Benjamin House
Built by John Routt in 1853
Italianate Architectural Style
Ruben Benjamin was examined by Abraham Lincoln
to qualify for a license to practice law.
John Routt was elected governor of Colorado in 1876.
Erected by Dimmitt's Grove Neighborhood Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 40° 28.683′ N, 88° 59.246′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McLean County. It is on East Grove Street west of South Evans Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 E Grove St, Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eugene and Mary Funk House (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel & Electa Bishop House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucius T. and Arabella Bruner Wilcox House (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillip & Sophia Young House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sain & Gertrude Welty House (about 300 feet
this page online
Regarding Ruben & Laura Benjamin House. Excerpt from East Grove Street Architectural/Historical Survey by Greg Koos (1985):
Mr. and Mrs. Rueben (sic) Moore Benjamin moved into the house on October 10, 1856. Benjamin was born in Columbia County, New York in 1833, attended Amherst College and came to Illinois in 1856. Active as a lawyer, Benjamin was influential in creation of the 1870 Illinois Constitution and became nationally known for his able arguments before the United States Supreme Court during the famous Grange cases in 1874. His anti-monopoly pleadings set the groundwork for the Interstate Commerce Commission. Benjamin later was a Professor of Law at Illinois Wesleyan University and was author of widely used law text books. He died in 1917.
Also see . . . Ruben M. Benjamin House. Wikipedia entry on the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
2. Ruben & Laura Benjamin House
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
3. Ruben & Laura Benjamin House Supplemental Marker
This plaque reads:
Gift to the street
1853
Old House Society
of Bloomington-Normal
1853
Old House Society
of Bloomington-Normal
via Colorado Virtual Library
4. John L. Routt
Besides building houses, Routt also was active in politics. President Ulysses S. Grant, also a native Illinoisian, appointed Routt as territorial governor of Colorado in 1875. Colorado became a state during his term, and he became the state's first elected governor. He served one two-year term, then took a break from politics but later returned to serve as Denver's mayor before winning another term as Colorado's governor. He is best-known for his strong support of women's suffrage: During his second gubernatorial term, Colorado became the first state to give women the right to vote.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
