Frost Leland Benham (1892-1931)

From the composite portrait of the 10th Arizona legislature. 

   Two-term Arizona state legislator Frost Leland Benham's time on the Arizona political stage was brief, as he lost his life in a car accident in 1931, aged just 39. During his residency in Arizona Benham not only succeeded in politics but also civic affairs, being a utility company executive in the city of Jerome. A native Hoosier, Frost Leland "Frosty" Benham was born on April 1, 1892, in Valparaiso, Indiana, the son of Frost and Tillie Benham. 

  Benham removed with his family from Indiana to Dayton, Ohio at an unknown date, and from 1911-13 attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. In 1914 Benham relocated to Arizona and following his resettlement in Jerome (located in Yavapai County), entered into employment with the United Verde Public Utilities Company, serving as its chief clerk. He would later advance to the post of manager of that company and served in that capacity until his death. 

   "Frosty" Benham married in Tempe in July 1923 to Adah L. Turner (1898-1970), to whom he was wed until his death. The couple's brief union saw the births of two children, Marian Lee (born 1927) and Janet Ray (born 1930). In addition to his business dealings in Jerome Benham was active in the fraternal life of his community, being an Elks Lodge member, a member of the Rotary Club, and for a four-year period served as treasurer of the Associated Charities of Jerome. 

  In 1924 Benham began his political career at the local level when he was elected to the Jerome city council. He would serve on that body's license, finance, and sanitation committee, and in November 1928 was elected as one of two Yavapai representatives to the Arizona state legislature. His service in the 1929-31 session saw him named to the committees on Accounting and Business Methods; Mines and Mining; and Public Lands. He would win a second term in November 1930 and in January 1931 was named to four new committees, those being Appropriations; Corporations; Public Health and Statistics; and Ways and Means.

  In June 1931 Frosty Benham undertook a trip to Prescott, Arizona and on June 14th attended a "Smoki" ceremonial presentation in that city. This gathering, which comprised white citizens acting out Hopi Indian rituals and customs, was followed by a dance, which Benham also attended. After returning to his car Benham began the drive back to Jerome but would lose control of his vehicle "after it struck a soft shoulder on the highway". The car then flipped over, with Benham suffering internal injuries and "a fractured right shoulder and hip." He was later transported to the United Verde Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on June 16, 1931, aged 39.

  Following funeral services, Frost Leland Benham was interred at the Valley View Cemetery in Clarksdale, Arizona. He was survived by his two children and wife Adah, who, following her husband's death, remarried in 1934 to George MacTavish. The couple were later residents of California. Adah Benham MacTavish died there in October 1970, aged 72, and was interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress.