Benjamin, Hannah (Marple) 1842-1900

BENJAMIN, MARPLE, SPAWN, SCOTT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/22/2005 at 20:17:51

Obituary of Mrs. J. F. Benjamin

Hannah E. Benjamin, whose maiden name was Marple, was born near the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, Dec. 3, 1842. Died March 27th, 1900, being fifty-seven years, three months and twenty four days of age.

At the age of fifteen she was baptized and united with the Baptist Church. Soon afterward, her parents with their family moved to Licking County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood, and on the fifth day of April 1862, was united with J. F. Benjamin in marriage, which happy union has been blessed with six children, five sons and one daughter, all of whom live in Newton except Edson, the oldest, who lives at Hood River, Oregon, and a son who died in infancy.

With her husband she moved to Jasper County in September 1865, and improved the farm where J. R. Crawford now lives. In 1878, they sold out and moved to Calhoun County, Iowa, where she led her entire family into the M. E. Church at Rockwell City. Six years ago the family moved back to Newton. She has always lived a consistent Christian life, believing more in the works of mercy and kindness of words of profession, though she embraced every opportunity to testify to the goodness of God to her and the preciousness of her Savior. She was an amiable, loving wife. It has been remarked by those who knew them that the honeymoon has never ended with her and her husband during their thirty-seven years of married life. As a mother she brought up her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, always governing and controlling by love, being loving and indulgent.

The text chosen by her pastor could not have been more appropriate to her life she had lived, it being 1st Timothy 6:19. In conversation the evening before with her husband she said she expected to go hence when the time came - instantly, snapping her finger to indicate the time. To them who remained it seems almost prophetic. It would be well for all to heed the admonition of her whole life: "Be ye also ready."

Mrs. Benjamin was apparently in good health until on Tuesday of last week, when right after dinner, she was stricken with paralysis, and in a little over twelve hours she was dead, not having regained consciousness of ability to speak.

The funeral of Mrs. Benjamin was held on Friday afternoon, March 30, at the M. E. Church in Newton, she being a member of that denomination. Rev. Willits was in charge of the service. Her body was taken to Wittemberg Cemetery. Two sisters of Mrs. Benjamin came to attend the funeral, Mrs. F. B. Spawn, of Calhoun County, and Mrs. Amy Scott and daughter of Marathon, Buena Vista County. ~ The Newton Record, Newton, IA, Thursday, April 5, 1900