His grandfather was H.C. Meriwether, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in both world wars and was one of the first African Americans to own a business in Fort Dodge.

At the age of 6, Benson, remembers hanging out with his grandparents in Fort Dodge, along with their pet dog, Smoky, a German Shepherd.

“I remember just sitting next to him talking,” Benson said.

That was in the early 1970s. Benson’s family would move to Des Moines in 1973 after having lived in Fort Dodge for about seven years.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, left, Sherry Washington, of Fort Dodge, center, and state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, look over the commemorative ribbon signed by those who took part in the formal dedication of H.C. Meriwether Park Tuesday.

“He always wanted me to be good and do good, and that’s what he wanted for Fort Dodge,” Benson recalled Tuesday morning in the city council chambers at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building. “He was a great man.”

More than 50 people gathered for a formal dedication of H.C. Meriwether Park. The park is formerly known as the Mini Park.

The park is located on 10th Avenue Southwest between Eighth and Ninth streets in Pleasant Valley.

Benson later added, “This is an honor for my family. It makes me smile and my family is very proud of this honor.”

State Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, was one of multiple speakers at the event.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, is all smiles at the newly named H.C. Meriwether Park Tuesday afternoon.

When she first came to Fort Dodge about 19 years ago, she met with Jane Burleson, former Fort Dodge city councilwoman.

“She told me about him (Meriwether) and I was told about him over and over again,” Miller said. “He made a huge difference in this community and that continues today with people like Sherry Washington.”

Mayor Matt Bemrich added, “Harry had pride in his business and in his personal life.”

Sherry Washington, who helped spearhead the park’s renaming, complimented the efforts of the city.

“My tears — a lot of them are not pain, it’s the beauty you see,” she said. “Living here in Fort Dodge and a native here, I can say I am honored to be from Fort Dodge. We love each other and support each other here.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich, left, smiles as he talks about H.C. Meriwether Park Tuesday morning inside the city council chambers at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building. Sean Benson, Meriwether’s grandson, of Des Moines, looks on.

She added, “To see how welcoming the city was. Without the support of them, we wouldn’t have anything to stand on.”

Jameel Hameed, worship master of Meriwether Masonic Lodge, which is also named after H.C. Meriwether, said he was impressed with the man the first time he met him.

“He understood who he was in life,” Hameed said. “He gave you his word and he stood on it.”

It was Meriwether who inspired Hameed to become a Mason.

“Harry transcended all religions,” Hameed said. “He reached out to everyone.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Judge Brown, of Fort Dodge, center, visits with Sean Benson, of Des Moines, right, prior to the formal dedication of H.C. Meriwether Park Tuesday afternoon in the city council chambers at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building. Benson is is the grandson of Meriwether.

State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, said Meriwether’s shoulders are ones “we must stand on.”

He said H.C. Meriwether Park should be used to educate.

“There’s nothing wrong with seeing color,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with stepping forward and understanding that we are different. But if we understand our differences then our similarities have substance. But if you don’t understand differences and similarities, you are going to be hoodwinked and bamboozled into believing we are enemies.”

He added, “When you name a park after someone, make the park an educational tool. Take children there and educate them about who you named the park after, but then educate them about who they are. Tell them this man already had self-esteem. It wasn’t because of the park. Self-esteem means just what it is, it starts with the self and if you have it you can show others how to get it. That’s what gives the park significance. That’s what makes Fort Dodge significant.”