William Thomas Benson

In 1858 William Thomas Benson, along with his business partner Thomas Aspden, constructed, owned and operated the first corn wet-milling factory in Canada, located in Cardinal, Ontario.[1][2] The plant is additionally notable for being the first to produce high-fructose corn syrup in Canada and, more recently, for being one of the oldest industries in Canada.[3][4] The factory was originally named Benson & Aspden after its founders; when both men sold their shares in the 1860s, it became known as the Edwardsburg Starch Company and later the Canada Starch Company (CASCO).[5] As of 1954, the factory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ingredion Inc., and produces corn syrup solids, dextrose, maltodextrin as well as starch.[6]

Benson and Aspden purchased land beside the St. Lawrence River along the old Galop Canal in Cardinal in 1858 and built the first factory within the year.[7] The village of Cardinal was chosen due to the canal, which provided a waterway, as well as the St. Lawrence River's rapids which provided a power source; the Grand Trunk Railway line was also in close proximity. The first factory was located where Building 17 of the modern plant currently sits.[8] The original factory consisted of a main building, where the starch was produced, as well as numerous outbuildings including a boiler house, office, and employee store.[9] The first factory had a capacity of 200 bushels per day.[10] Early products manufactured by the company included Benson's Prepared Corn, Silver Gloss Starch, and Crystal Laundry Starch – No. 1.[11]

In 1860, Benson became sole owner of the company after purchasing Aspden's shares and renamed the company W.T. Benson & Company. Benson required more capital in 1865 which led him to sell off his own shares to a group of investors. The business was then renamed Edwardsburg Starch Company.[12] Benson maintained an executive position as vice-president and managing director of the company after selling to investors, which he held until his death in 1885.[13]

After Benson's death, his son and grandson stayed involved with the company until 1953 and 1961, respectively, and the company continued to expand.[14] The Cardinal plant was rebuilt in the 1920s and since that time has expanded and undergone numerous upgrades.[15] In the 1980s, two other CASCO plants were built in Ontario, one in Port Colborne and one in London.[16][17]

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online

• William Thomas Benson – Parliament of Canada biography