BENJAMIN F. PITMAN, who has been one of the enterprising and representative men of Dawes county for many years, and identified with the prosperous little city of Chadron almost from its beginning, came to this section of the state in 1887, and has greatly assisted in the wonderful development that has taken place here within thirty-three years. Observant and thoughtful from youth, ambitious but always soundly practical, Mr. Pitman discovered business opportunity where many others saw only a prospect of wasted effort. Time has justified his optimism that was supplemented by applied energy.
Benjamin Franklin Pitman was born January 16, 1861, at Newcastle, Indiana, and his education was secured in the public schools of his native city, After completing his high school studies, he entered the Citizens State Bank in a clerical capacity, and while there, during a whirlwind political campaign, was elected city clerk, this election being considered at the time in the light of a joke played on him by his friends. Mr. Pitman accepted the office and proved so efficient that he was elected without opposition for a second term, but he had no political aspirations and soon resigned in order to enter upon the duties of assistant cashier in the Rushville National Bank, at Rushville, Indiana, with a salary of $1,500 a year. To many less farsighted men this would have been quite satisfactory, but Mr. Pitman in looking ahead, realized that a more active business career would be more congenial. Hence he resigned his position and gave up his comfortable salary in the bank and entered into partnership with a friend and together they established a real estate, loan and insurance business at Huron, South Dakota.
This partnership was more or less satisfactorily operated for several years and then dissolved, the partner accepting a business proposition farther west and Mr. Pitman acquiring the agency of the Showalter Mortgage Company. In the meantime Mr. Pitman had organized the West Coast Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Washington. After handling the agency business very successfully at Huron for some years, the Showalter company sent him to Chadron, Nebraska, in 1887, as their northwest representative. It may be stated that in that capacity he loaned homesteaders over $500,000 for the company.
Mr. Pitman had by no means forgotten his training and early association with the banking business, and became financially interested in the bank at Harrison, Sioux county, became its president with C. E. Holmes as cashier, later selling the bank. For some years he has been a director and a member of the finance committee of the First National Bank of Chadron and the First National Bank of Hay Springs, in Sheridan county. His realty at Chadron is very valuable, consisting largely in modern buildings which reflect credit on owner and architect. In partnership with Charles F. Coffee, he erected the handsome Coffee-Pitman block, the largest business structure in the city, and he built also the Rex Theater building, the old Post Office building and the Masonic Temple.
There was a time when Mr. Pitman was personally acquainted with the majority of the settlers in Dawes county, knew every road in the county and could follow every trail. In 1897, he invested in land extensively in the county, acquiring twenty-five thousand acres, buying some of it for a dollar an acre. Later on he sold quarter sections of this land for two hundred and fifty dollars, this same land now commanding from seventy-five dollars to a hundred dollars an acre. Mr. Pitman owns the brick-yard at Chadron but has it under rental.
After locating at Huron, South Dakota, Mr. Pitman returned to Rushville, Indiana, where he was united in marriage with Miss Emma M. Morgan, and they came immediately to Huron, a sister of Mrs. Pitman accompanying them. At that time it was indeed a desolate place for cultured young women to try to make a home. Building operations had not yet been directed to the erection of comfortable residences, and Mr.Pitman had to establish his wife and sister in the Railroad Hotel. During their necessary period of residence in this pioneer hostelry, the ladies learned more facts concerning the state of western civilization and the character and personality of the Indians of whom they had read extensively, than they ever dreamed of, but they were sincere and resourceful young women and the time came when they could bravely smile over what at first, seemed unbearable conditions. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pitman, one of whom died in infancy. The survivor, who bears his father's name, is now completing his university studies in Washington, having served with the American Expeditionary Force for two years in France during the World War. Mrs. Pitman is a member of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Pitman has never been anxious to serve in any political capacity, but he has always been an ardent Republican and proud of his Americanism. For seven years he was a member of the city council of Chadron, when he resigned in order to accept the position of city clerk. He has been quite active in fraternal life, is Past Master of Samaritan Lodge No. 158, A. F. & A. M., Chadron, Nebraska, and its oldest resident Past Master; Past High Priest of Occidental R. A. Chapter No. 48, Chadron, Nebraska; and Past Grand High Priest of the state of Nebraska; Past Illustrious Master of Zerrebubel Council Royal and Select Masters, No. 27 of Chadron, Nebraska; and Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Council of Nebraska; Past Eminent Commander of Melita Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar of Chadron, Nebraska; Past Commander of Chadron Lodge Knights of Pythias; Tangier Temple O. A. O. M. Shrine, Omaha, Nebraska; K. C. C. H. Scottish Rite Mason, Omaha, Nebraska; Consistory No, 1, Omaha, Nebraska; is a trustee of the Nebraska Masonic Home; a charter member of Norfolk Lodge No. 653, later transferring to Chadron Lodge No. 1399 and a member of the Elks of which he is a trustee.
