Born July 22, 1862, at Stafsinge, Sweden, where his father Sven Johan Bengsten followed the tailor's trade. He attended public school in Sweden and the United States before going to Augustana in 1880. He entered the second class of the academic department in January of that year and graduated with the college class of '88 with the degree of A. B. Two years later he had completed the courses in the Theological Seminary of the same institution and after his ordination became pastor of the Swedish Lutheran church at Hartford, Ct. in August, 1893, he assumed charge of the churches at New Sweden and Upland, in Jefferson County, remaining in their service until 1900. Rev. Bengston was secretary of the Iowa Conference 1898-1900, has served as secretary of the Church Extension Society since 1901 and as treasurer of the Augustana Synod since 1902. In December, 1900, he assumed his present position as associate editor of Augustana, the official paper of the Synod. He is a member of the Zion Church of Rock Island, is now serving on the church council and as superintendent of the Sunday school. Rev. Bengston was a member of the 28th General Assembly of Iowa, from Jefferson County, in 1900. He was married June 4, 1891, to Miss Emilie Otilia Swan.