ELIAS R. BENNER is one
of the wide-awake, ~ energetic and successful business men of
Shoenersville. He has made his own way in life, and is in the
enjoyment of a competency that is the result of his unaided
efforts. He is carrying on a large business as a general merchant
t, having his establishment stocked with a large variety of dry
goods, groceries, hardware, hats, caps, boots, shoes, flour, feed,
etc. He is also a manufacturer of and dealer in cigars, and agent
for sewing machines and the celebrated Estey & Camp organs.
Mr. Benner is a native
of Bucks County, and was born June 2, 1841, to William and Nancy (Rothrock)
Benner, who were also natives of that county. Elias R. lived on
his father's farm until attaining mature years, in the meantime
attending the district school. The knowledge gained therein was
later supplemented by a course in the Bucks County Normal and
Classical School, after which he taught in the public schools of
Shoenersville for seven years.
In 1870 our subject
established himself in the mercantile business in this place. He
has become well known over a large territory, and as a business
man has ever occupied a high position in the estimation of his
fellow-citizens. Mr. Benner was married in 1866 to Miss Belinda
Lapp, a native of Northampton County, by whom he has become the
father of three children: Harry, Lizzie and Allen.