Benton, Elmer E. 1861 - 1926

BENTON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Elkader Register, Thur., 2 Sept. 1926.

Messages received here Tuesday by D. D. Murphy and H. D. Brown told of the sudden death Sunday afternoon of Elmer E. Benton of McGregor at Kirkland, Washington, where he was visiting Charles Lewis, an old friend. Heart trouble was the cause. Mr. Benton went west in July mainly to visit a number of boyhood friends. Mr. Lewis and J. E. Corlett being two of them.

Elmer E. Benton was born at McGregor June 1, 1861. He was the only son of Capt. and Mrs. W. A. Benton, early settlers of this county. Capt. Benton was prominent in affairs of this county for years. He was captain of a company of volunteers during the Civil War, postmaster at McGregor and sheriff of Clayton county at different times.

Elmer E. Benton grew to manhood at McGregor, receiving his education at the public schools of that place. In 1880 he went to Butte City, Mont., where he took a position in the mines. Returning to McGregor in 1882 he was employed as a traveling salesman for John Elbing for about five years. He then became deputy sheriff of Clayton county under J. J. Kann and later served in the same capacity under sheriff Fred Cook. In 1895 he was elected sheriff and served in that position for eight years.

For a number of years after that he served as a deputy U.S. revenue collector for this district with headquarters at Dubuque. During the last few years however, he has not been engaged in any active business and has made his home at McGregor.

Mr. Benton was a loyal friend, an efficient and able public servant, a good fellow among men and he had hosts of friends, many of whom have preceded him to the beyond and many who will sorrow at his going. He has no immediate relatives.

H. D. Brown, a boyhood chum and lifetime friend, left this morning to meet Mr. Benton's remains at St. Paul. Funeral services will be held at the Community rooms at McGregor Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and they will be in charge of the Masonic order of which he had been a member for years.