Gaylord, Benjamin Franklin 1838 - 1925

GAYLORD, EATON, BARNES

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/1/2020 at 12:28:04

Elkader Register, Thur., 03 Dec. 1925. Strawberry Point column.

Last week there passed to the well earned rest in God the oldest settler in Cass Township, Benjamin Franklin Gaylord, son of Stephen and Rachael Gaylord, was born at Shawneetown, Illinois, April 30, 1838, and died at the home of his daughter in Strawberry Point, November 26th (Thanksgiving Day), aged 86 years, 6 months and 27 days. He came with his parents to Clayton County, Iowa, when a lad of eleven years. He answered the first call of President Lincoln for military service and on Sept. 11, 1861, enlisted in Company G. Third Missouri Cavalry Volunteers. With this command he served three years and took part in a number of the important battles of the Civil War, and was severely wounded. He carried about him the scars of his devotion to his country and the great cause of Liberty and like every true man and patriot gloried in them. He was mustered out of the service receiving an honorable discharge in the city of St. Louis, Nov. 11, 1864.

On Sept. 28, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Clara Eaton Gaylord, the widow of his brother William, who met death as a soldier fighting in the Civil War. The supreme loss and bereavement of his life came when his devoted wife was summoned to eternal rest on May 11, 1891. Of the four children born into his home one died in infancy. William Berton M. and Minnie A. survived the mother, but have since passed over. He is survived by one daughter, Allie E. Barnes, and one granddaughter, Beatrice E. Barnes, to whom he was warmly attached.

In the days of his strength he assisted as clerk in the local stores, for the last twenty years made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Barnes, who tended him with rare devotion. Up to a year ago he found great pleasure in his garden. For some months past he was conscious of increasing weakness and missed very much his almost daily visits to the post office and the stores. A few weeks ago he failed considerably and knew that he was on lifes long last mile. He suffered keenly but heroically and as a last resort an operation was performed in Dubuque but the vital forces were far spent and the call sounded quietly in sleep last Thursday afternoon. Mr. Gaylord was a resident of Strawberry Point for over 75 years and always a booster in civic affairs, thought and said there was no place just like Strawberry Point.

He was a regular attendant and supporter of the Congregational church and united with the church Nov. 12th, 1925. He was much comforted in the administration of both the sacraments of the Christian Faith. He was made a Mason May 4, 1867, and was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He arranged all his affairs as one plans for a long journey and looked forward to death as Rest and Heaven as home.

Friend after friend departs,
Who hath not lost a friend !
There is no union here of hearts,
That finds not here an end.
Were this frail world our final rest,
Living or dying none were blessed.

Funeral services were conducted in the Congregational church on Saturday afternoon Nov. 28th. The officiating clergymen were Rev. O. N. vanSwearingen of Mitchell (a former pastor and a close friend of the deceased) and the minister of the church. Following the church service the Masonic ritual was read by the Master of the Lodge, H. J. Esch, and the Chaplain, Rev. W. W. Maxwell.

After the committal services a detachment of the American Legion fired three volleys and taps were sounded. Interment was made in the local cemetery, as a token of respect the business houses in town closed doors during last rites.

"Now the labourer's task is o'er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
Lands the voyager at last
Father in thy gracious keeping
Leave me now thy servant sleeping."