Benson, August 1855-1937

BENSON, JAKOBI, ERICKSON, CHEESEMAN, JACOBSON, TORKELSON, SWANSON, STOCKHAUS, LINDER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/28/2013 at 19:03:41

August Benson, for more than fifty years a resident farmer in Highland township, Clayton county, died suddenly Tuesday evening June 15, at the age of eighty-one years, nine months and ten days. In the death of Mr. Benson his community and his church has lost one of its staunchest members, and he will long be missed among his large circle of friends and acquaintances. Of the eight charter members of the Highland Lutheran church, he was the last one, and faithfully he has in word and deed served his church as Deacon since its organization.

August Benson was born in Goteberg, Sweden, August 5, 1855, and of a family of twelve he was the last surviving member. In 1876, when 21 years old, he came to this country. For eight years he lived at Fredonia, New York. In 1884 he came to Clayton county, Iowa, where for two years he worked on a farm, then he purchased the farm that has been his home ever since. By hard work and careful management this was developed into one of the most valuable farms in the community.

On Nov. 20, 1884, he was united in marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Jakobi, who on June 7, five years ago, preceded him in death. To them were born five children, one of whom, namely Mrs. Hilma Erickson, passed away on Nov. 11, 1931. There lives to mourn his death, the four children, Charles and Oscar, at home, Mrs. Gjerda Cheeseman of this community and Adolph, at Elkader, also five grandchildren and three great grandchildren, besides a large number of other relatives and the entire community.

The funeral services were held Friday forenoon, June 18, from the home and the Highland Lutheran church, with interment in the cemetery adjoining the church, the pastor, Rev. G. Gunsten officiating. The large assembly of mourning friends from far and near, as well as the large number of floral gifts and in memoriam gifts, bore evidence of the respect which the deceased enjoyed among all who knew him. The pall bearers were six of his old neighbors, namely O.H. Larson, Adolph Larson, Afred Cook, Leo Boland, Lucian Donlon and William Donlon.

Of the relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jacobson, Chester Jacobson and Livina Torkelson of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Erland Stockhaus and Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Linder of Belvediere, Ill.

In the passing of Mr. Benson a long and useful life has been brought to a close. Blessed be his memory.

~Elgin Echo, June 24, 1937