BENSON, Matthew

BENSON, GOGGINS

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 3/23/2006 at 15:10:39

The Cherokee Democrat January 27, 1892

THE GRIM REAPER

Has a Harvest Time in Cherokee-…Sad Death of Matt Benson

BENSON

The death of Matthew Benson, which occurred in this city Monday evening, brought universal sorrow to the community. “Matt,” as he was familiarly known, has been ill about ten days, but from the start his sickness was of a serious nature—pneumonia being the complaint-and for several days it was felt that he could not survive. He was a man of splendid physique and apparently always in the enjoyment of good health. His only weakness was in his lungs, and this made him a comparatively easy victim for the dread disease which so quickly carried him away. The deceased lacked two days of being 35 years of age. He came to Cherokee from Wisconsin some fourteen years ago and has spent these years here in various pursuits. Among his fellow men he made a reputation which any young man would be proud to leave behind. He was quiet and unassuming, reliable in every position of trust, honorable in the highest degree and generous to a fault. When we hear the living speak so kindly of the dead as they have of Matt Benson we feel that the life of such a one is worth of emulation.

The funeral services were held at the Catholic church at noon yesterday where the remains laid until 10 o’clock, when they were taken to Elkhart Lake, Wis., for internment. The fire department, of which deceased was assistant chief and treasurer, escorted the remains to the depot. Richard Benson, a brother and M. H. Goggins, a cousin, arrived from Wisconsin previous to Matt’s death and accompanied the remains to their last resting place. A father, four bothers and three sisters are left to mourn.

Loving friends, weep not for him, he longed to be a rest; How happy, happy he shall be when pillowed on his Savior’s breast. O, the hope, the hope is sweet, that we soon in Heaven may meet; Where we all shall happy rest from pain and sorrow free. A Friend.