Ben Viljoen

Benjamin Johannes "Ben" Viljoen (7 September 1869 – 14 January 1917) was an Afrikaner-American Consul, soldier, farmer, Maderista, and Boer general. Viljoen was born in a cave in the Wodehouse district of the Cape Colony to Susanna Magdalena Storm (January 17, 1842 – Fabens, El Paso, Texas, United States, February 22, 1925) and Wynand Johannes Viljoen (Swellendam, South Africa, 1842 – Bakersfield, California, United States, 1914). This cave was the temporary residence of the Viljoen family while their farm house was being constructed. He spent his early years on the Varkiesdraai farm near Umtata. He attained the position of Assistant Commandant-General of the Transvaal Burgher Forces and was member for Krugersdorp in the Transvaal Volksraad. He was a South African Freemason.

Benjamin Johannes Viljoen
General Ben Viljoen (seated) and his Secretary Mr. J. Visser
Born(1869-09-07)7 September 1869
Varkiesdraai, Wodehouse district, Cape Colony
Died14 January 1917(1917-01-14) (aged 47)
La Mesa, New Mexico, US
Allegiance South African Republic

 United States

Mexico
Years of service1896–1902
RankAssistant Commandant-General Major
UnitKrugersdorpse Vrywilligerskorps
Transvaal Burgher Force
Johannesburg Commando 1st Infantry Regiment, New Mexico National Guard
Battles/warsFirst Boer War (1880–1881)
Jameson Raid (1895–1896)
Second Boer War (1899–1902)
Mexican Revolution
Other work
  • Member of the Volksraad (Transvaal Parliament)
  • In 1902 published his autobiography My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War
  • In 1904 participated in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis World's Fair)
  • Civic life in New Mexico
  • Consul in Germany.
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