Benton, Willard A. 1829-1905

BENTON, BUCK

Posted By: S. Ferrall IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/30/2012 at 14:33:47

McGregor Pioneer Dies.
Elkader, Iowa, Sept. 11 —Captain W. A. Benton, a veteran of the civil war and for many years sheriff of Clayton county and postmaster at McGregor in the sixties, died yesterday in a sanitarium at Prairie du Chien, after a lingering illness.

~Waterloo Daily Courier, Sept 11, 1905; Waterloo, Black Hawk co. IA

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Added by S. Ferrall 5//1/2015:

Capt. Willard A. Benton
At the Prairie du Chien Sanitarium on Saturday, Sept. 9th, occurred the death of Capt. Willard A. Benton, one who in his day had been one of the best known and active citizens of our county. Death came as a relief from his sufferings he having been confined to his bed since this spring.

Born at Afton, New York, Dec. 3, 1829, the Captain's early life was full of adventure. He went to California during the period of gold mining excitement and worked for a year in the mines. His love for adventure led him to engage as a sailor and he visited Australia and the South American countries. Returning to his home at Afton he soon came west and in 1856 he came to Iowa, first settling on a farm in Howard county, but soon moving to McGregor, which place he has since claimed as his home. He was McGregor's first Republican postmaster receiving the appointment in 1860.

In 1863 he organized and took to the front during the Civil War, Co. G, 21st Iowa Inf. and participated in all the engagements leading up to the capture of Vicksburg.

Resigning on account of his poor health, he returned to McGregor and relieved his wife who had charge of the post office during his absence. He was sheriff of Clayton county for six years 1874-1880 and made an exceptionally good record in that office.

In 1857 he was married to Anna M. Buck, who died about 7 years ago. One son, Elmer E. Benton, who followed in his father's footsteps and was sheriff of this county for eight years, is left to mourn the death of the father for whom he has tenderly cared for many years. Since the death of his wife Capt. Benton lived at Elkader until last year. Many friends in Elkader and Clayton county regret to hear of his passing, but feel that his death is a release from suffering.

Funeral services were held at McGregor Monday under the auspices of the G.A.R.

~Elkader Argus, Wednesday, September 13, 1905