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HARTSHORN, Benjamin Franklin

HARTSHORN, MILLER, FRETWELL, COOPERNOLL, NELSON, HODGES

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/25/2017 at 01:08:30

Obituary ~ Benjamin Franklin Hartshorn
August 18, 1834 ~ May 08, 1916

Wadena Pioneer Journal
Wadena, Minnesota

B.F. Hartshorn, aged father of Mrs. C. W. Miller, of this city died at her home here Monday mourning after a lingering Illness, from complications incident to old age, The end came peacefully and quietly after having spent the day with his family as had been his habit since making his home here. He ate a hearty dinner Sunday evening, retired early, woke up at two o'clock at which time he appeared to be feeling the same and a short time later sank into a heavy sleep and passed away.

The remains were taken to Motley (Morrison Co., MN) Wednesday noon where interment was made in the family lot, funeral services being conducted by the Masonic Lodge of Staples (Morrison Co., MN) of which he was a charter member.

Mr Hartshorn was a particularly energetic citizen and took a prominent part in making of the early history of this section of the country. He loved the frontier and wilderness and spent the greater part of his early life assisting in the development of new country. It was while thus engaged that he came to be known trough out the length and breadth of the state, honored by all because of his untiring efforts in behalf of the struggling settlers.

Bejamin Franklin Hartshorn was born in Seville, Medina county, Ohio, August 18, 1833. Being the son of a Methodist clergyman his earl life was spent in the states of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, where duty called his father. When five years old the family moved to Wisconsin where he eventually entered the law school of the state university at Madison (Dane Co., WI) being admitted to the bar in the state and practicing law for a time before moving to Mason City,Iowa, in 1864. While there he served one term in the legislature, but was forced to seek another climate because of failing health. In 1859 he married Miss Nancy Fretwell, at Viroqua, (Vernon Co.) Wis., and with his he moved from Mason City, IA to Motley, Minn. in 1879. where he spent a number of years in the wilds recuperating before engaging in the mercantile business, later re-engaging in the practice of his profession. About 25 years ago the partnership which he had formed with P. V. Coppernoll for the practice of law at Verndale was severed, Mr Coppernoll coming to this city and Mr. Hartshorn going to Staples to practice. While there he served two terms in the Minnesota Legislature and when Cass county was organized he was appointed county attorney by the governor, which necessitated his removal from to Walker from Staples. Ten years later he retired from active business pursuits to his farm at Philbrook coming to this city last fall to receive medical treatment.

He is survived by his aged wife and one child, Mrs. C. W. Miller and two sisters, Mrs Mary Nelson, of Foxhome, Minn. and Mrs Hodges, of Kansas, Mrs Nelson came down for the funeral but a message from the bedside of Mrs Hodges states she was very ill and could not come. Later advices were to the effect that her death was could be expected at any time.

Mr. Hartshorn was the second or third oldest Mason in the state and organized the Staples lodge and was its first Master, being a Blue Lodge and Chapter member.

[Interment was made at Motley Public Cemetery.]

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2017


 

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