Benjamin Hanks rates a Wikipedia page, which describes his life in typical Wikipedia fashion. Worth a read.

The surveying related history:

Benjamin Hanks (1755-1824) apprenticed with Thomas Harland, an English clock maker who had recently migrated to Norwich, Connecticut. During his apprenticeship, in 1775, Benjamin married Alice Hovey (1754 - 1825) and they had ten children, including Julius (1784-1846). By 1777 Hanks was in business on his own in Windham, Connecticut. Like many American mechanics of that time, Hanks applied his skills in several directions. While specializing in clocks and watches, for instance, he asked the General Assembly to supply funds so that he could construct looms for weaving stockings.

Hanks moved to Litchfield in 1780, and advertised surveyor's compasses in 1785. In 1786 he began casting bells. In 1808, now living in Mansfield and working in partnership with his son Julius, Hanks was making vernier compasses or, as he advertised, "surveyor's compasses upon the Rittenhouse improved plan."

While in Connecticut, Benjamin expanded his business from clock and watch making to making surveyors' compasses, church bells and cannons. It appears that his brother Alpheus (1777-1831) and sons Truman (1782-1846), Julius (1784-1846) and Horatio (1790-1838) also became involved in Benjamin's business during his time in Connecticut. They also worked with him when he moved to the Troy, NY area in 1808; his brother Alpheus was 31 years old, his son Truman 26 years old, his son Julius, 24 and his son Horatio, 18. Julius had married Olive McCall that same year (1808). Benjamin left his Connecticut business to be managed by Truman while he and Julius began a bell and brass founding business in Gibbonsville (West Troy), NY, advertising as "Benjamin Hanks & Son." It appears that he immediately turned the business over to Julius; the August 30, 1808 issue of the "Troy Gazette" had Julius's advertisement which lists his business as a "Bell Foundery" where he made Church Bells and also manufactured "Surveyors' Compasses."