Benjamin Cohen was the father of Percival Dalton. He and his wife Edna lived in New York. Despite his fragile health (having survived a heart attack), he was a forceful and vehement personality. His determination that his grandson be raised in the Jewish faith to preserve the Cohen name put him at odds with Harriet Oleson, who was equally determined that her grandchild be Christian. Although never seen again in the series, Benjamin had taken ill by the end of season seven, prompting Percival and Nellie to return to New York to manage his store. With his death, their move became permanent.