Benton C. Guilliams (1917)
GUILLIAMS, JOECKEL, MCKENZIE, SHULTZ, STREET
Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 1/24/2007 at 10:46:16
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, January 17, 1917Death of B. C. Guilliams
Benton C. Guilliams, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Shultz of Indianola on Thursday. His condition had been critical for several weeks as a result of paralysis. Mr. Guilliams came to Iowa from Indiana with his parents, in 1852, locating on the land which has always been know as the Guilliams farm. When 17 years old, he enlisted as a member of Co. F, 4th Iowa Infantry, serving two years, when the war closed. He was with Sherman's army in its march to Atlanta. After his discharge in 1865, he farmed and taught school in South township for eight or nine years. He became sole owner of the farm, devoting his time to farming and raising fine cattle. About eight years ago, he turned the farm over to his son, Ernest. He was married to Miss Jennie McKenzie in 1874, her death occurring in 1909.
For six years, Mr. Guilliams was deputy county clerk from 1883 to 1889, residing in Winterset during that period. His comrades of Pitzer Post G.A.R., always found him loyal and proud of his military record. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, which assisted in his burial on Sunday at Union Chapel.
Surviving him are two daughters; Mrs. Flora Shultz of Indianola and Mrs. Maude Street of Minneapolis; also two sons, Charles of St. Charles and Ernest.
_________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, January 17, 1917
Page 5, Column 4Neighborhood News - St. Charles
Another pioneer in South Township is going to his reward in the passing away of Benton C. Guilliams at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Shultz 4 miles northeast of Indianola, last Friday morning, Jan. 12th. He was born near Greencastle, Ind., Jan. 1, 1846, a son of William and Anna Burkett Guilliams.
He came with his parents to Madison County in the year 1852, with an ox team and prairie schooner, settled on the farm in South township, for many years the home of the deceased. Mr. Guilliams was always very fond of books and attended diligently the country school of that vicinity. At the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. F, 4th Iowa Infantry, serving to the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865.
Upon his return he farmed and taught school for some eight or nine years, mostly through the winter seasons. On September 8, 1874 he was married to Jennie McKenzie and to this union were born five children: Mrs. Flora Shultz of near Indianola; Mrs. Margaret Street of Minneapolis, Minn.; Charles C., of St. Charles; Pearlie, who died in infancy and Ernest E., who lives on the home farm.
Mr. Guilliams has held many office of trust in his townships, serving as trustee and justice and peace for many years, and from 1883 to 1889 served as deputy clerk of the District Court of Madison county.
When a young man, he was converted and joined the Christian church then located on a farm of his father, and in 1887 he became a member of the Baptist church of Winterset, where he held his membership at the time of his death. Fraternally he was a member of Model Lodge No. 315, A. F. and A. M. and of the Grand Army Post, both of St. Charles.
He leaves to mourn his loss, four children, four grandchildren, a sister in Oklahoma and a brother in Missouri, besides many other relatives and friends without number. Mr. Guilliams was a man well-informed, a splendid characteristics and host of friends among the best people of the county and state will mourn to learn of his departure.
Funeral services were held Sabbath afternoon at Union Chapel church near his home, conducted by Rev. W. W. Williams, assisted by Rev. Nielsen, and interment in the cemetery by the church.
________________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, January 17, 1917
Page 1, Column 4 & Page 4, Column 3BENT. GUILLIAMS DIES IN INDIANOLA
Guilliams Member of Co. F, Fourth Iowa
Benton C. Guilliams, former citizen of Madison county, died at Indianola, Friday, and was buried Sunday in the cemetery south of Patterson near the home farm. He came with his parents to the County in 1852 when six years old.
Benton C. Guilliams was six years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. His boyhood days were spent at home and his education was acquired in the public schools. He was yet a boy in years when March 20, 1863, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the “boys in blue” of Company F, Fourth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. He was with Sherman’s army and participated in the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta and also within the engagements at Columbia, South Carolina, and Bentonville, North Carolina. He had many narrow escapes and at the close of the war was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 24, 1865.
He then returned home, resumed farming and also taught school in South township for eight or nine years, mostly through the winter seasons. In 1869 he purchased the shares of the other heirs of the property.
On the 9th of September, 1874, Mr. Guilliams was united in marriage with Miss Jennie McKenzie, who was born in Story county, Iowa, December 21, 1855. The family removed to Winterset during the girlhood days of Mrs. Guilliams, who was there reared and educated. She died January 6, 1909, leaving four children, while one had passed away in infancy. Those who survive the mother are: Flora, wife of G. A. Schultz, of Indianola, Iowa; Maude G., Who became the wife of Charles A. Joekel, by whom she had one child, Mary Joekel, and after the death of her first husband she became the wife of Charles Street, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles McKenzie, cashier of J. F. Johnston’s bank of St. Charles; and earnest, who operates the home farm.
He was deputy county clerk from 1883 until 1889 and while the incumbent in that office rented the farm and made his home in Winterset, returning to the farm in the later year.
Fraternally he was connected with the St. Charles Lodge No. 115, A. F. & A. M., and was also a charter member of the grand army post.
________________________Coordinator's note: Transcribed as published, surname "Joekel" should be "Joeckel" per Charles Joeckel's obituary.
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