Benshoof, Peter L. 1824-1897

BENSHOOF, ELLIS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2005 at 16:52:30

Death of Peter Benshoof

Peter L. Benshoof died at his home in this city, last Sunday evening, June 13th, aged nearly seventy-three years. He had for many months been a great sufferer from dropsy and heart disease, and death came to him as a sweet release, and found him not only ready, but anxious to enter into that rest which he knew awaited him.

Mr. Benshoof was born at Johnstown, Pa., June 30, 1824. He was married on the 24th of December 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Ellis, who for fifty-three years had shared with her husband his joys and sorrows through prosperity and adversity, and is now left to travel alone the remainder of life’s journey. To them were born nine children, five of whom are still living. They came to Iowa in 1854. In 1862, he enlisted in Company E. Twentieth Iowa Infantry, and served in the army for three years. After the close of the war he came with his family to Newton where he resided until his death.

A short service was held at the home Monday evening, conducted by the pastor of the M. E. Church of which he had been a member for a number of years. A number of the Ladies of the G. A. R. circle were present and a beautiful service was conducted by the president in placing the flag over the breast of the dead comrade; after which the members of Garrett Post followed the remains to the cemetery, where after a solemn and impressive ceremony, they were gently laid to rest just as the sun sank behind the western horizon. ~ The Newton Record Friday, June 18, 1897