Elias Benson

BENSON, MYERS, BOPP, BAKEMAN

Posted By: A Hammer (email)
Date: 8/15/2013 at 14:27:25

Elias Benson obit , Elgin Echo 27 Jan 1938, Elgin, Fayette, Iowa
Elias Benson, son of Ben and Anna Swenson, was born at Warburg, Sweden, on July 7,1848, and died in his home in Elgin, on Saturday evening, January 22, 1938, age eighty-nine years, six months and fifteen days. He was the youngest of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom have preceded him in death.
On April 22, 1870, he left Sweden and came to the United States. One month from the time he started he arrived at McGregor, where his three brothers, Andrew, August, and John, had come from Sweden the previous year. For seven years he worked on farms in Clayton county, then he went to CA where he remained four years. In 1861 he returned to Iowa and came to Elgin where he went into the general merchandise business with his brother August, which he continued for fifteen years. Later he was in the lumber business for fifteen years. In 1913 he built the new modern home in which he has since lived until the time of his death.
On July 7 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Myers, at Elgin, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. Mae Bopp, who in recent years has been living with and caring for her father in his declining years, and Mrs. Anna Bakeman of Antioch, CA. On Dec. 17, 1913, the family circle was broken by the death of the mother.
He is survived by his two daughters and three grandchildren: Mrs. Bernita Bopp Barelmay, of Morton, IL, Mrs. Norma Bakeman Snabel, of Richmond, CA, and Ronald Bakeman, also one great grandchild, Carleen Ann Snabel, besides nephew, nieces and other near relatives.
When fifteen years of age he was confirmed in the Lutheran church of Sweden and was every faithful to its teachings. On Dec. 3, 1905, he united with the Methodist church of Elgin, and at once began to be one of the most useful of its members. The records show that he was the largest doner of money and labor in the building of St. Paul's church on its present site. He was treasurer of the board of trustees during its construction and managed the finances of the project in a most commendable manner. In his active years Mr. Benson was one of the leading citizens of Elgin and was always ready to give of his time and money to promote any project which he deemed worthy. He was the first treasurer of the incorporated town of Elgin, and for more than fifty years a member of the fraternal order of I.O.O.F. holding various offices during that time. Mr. Benson possessed a literary type of mind and although his schooling in this country was limited to one winter term in a country school, yet he acquired an average education at home in his spare time by much reading and study. He was esteemed and respected by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held from St. Paul's M.E. church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. J. Snyder. Hymns were sung by William Weibel, Edward Klingman, G. J. Mosby and C. B. Schori and Mrs. Louis Klingman playing the accompaniment. The casket bearers were: Mel Kohler, Hans Grether, Geo. N. Schori, Leo Schori, B. J. Baumgartner and Max Hunsberger. Burial was made in the Elgin cemetery.

Elgin Echo, 27 Jan 1938, page 3, Elgin, Fayette, Iowa
 

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