Thomas W. Benson (1924)

BENSON, HARRISON, HOFFMAN, ILES, MCGREW, RAMSEY

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 1/14/2006 at 22:21:07

Earlham Library Obituaries
Earlham, Iowa
November 1924

Thomas W. Benson

Thomas W. Benson, one of 12 children born to Lewis and Malinda Benson, was born July 17, 1843 in Laclede County Missouri. In the year 1853 he came with his parents to Iowa locating south of Winterset and remaining there until the following spring at which time they removed to this community, locating on the homestead north of Earlham. This farm in time came to be the farm and home of Thomas Benson and at the present time is owned and operated by Edgar Benson.

This family was among the first to come to this community. At the time of their coming Earlham and surrounding country was a wilderness of uncultivated land with but few homes. But blest with a love and desire for home and the spirit of sacrifice of the early pioneers of every county this family visioned this county growing into homes and rich farm lands and gave themselves freely to the task. Their power of endurance and devotion to the task to which they had set themselves outlived that of many others. They endured the severe hardships and privations of those early days year after year remaining to give their labors and life itself to the realization of their heart's desire and were rewarded in winning a good home for their family and seeing this country grow into one of the most prosperous farming districts of Iowa.

Thomas Benson was married to Emma Harrison on March 29, 1865, and located on the father's old homestead remaining there until his five children were all married and in homes of their own, but in the spring of 1917 they moved to their present home in Earlham.

At the time of his conversion there was no church in the community and immediately this came to be his great concern and he gave himself to the task of securing a house of God in their midst and the little church known as Hickory Grove was built and to this church he gave of his best through all these years. The Benson home was always a home for every visiting minister and Christian worker. Eternity alone will reveal the rich reward of all this faithful living and giving.

During the greater part of Thomas Benson and wife's residence in Earlham the Friends Church has been blest by their faithful attendance at its services. He will be missed in these services and especially will his earnest victorious testimonies be missed in the mid-week prayer service. But the memory of these still live and will inspire us to better living and with a greater spirit of joy and trust.

After many days and months of illness relief came to our friend on November 4, 1924 and he entered into rest and life eternal. With the passing of Thomas Benson the first break was made in the family circle and after almost 60 years of happy companionship the loving wife is left to miss his presence. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Lucinda McGrew, of Redfield, and his five children Edgar Benson of Earlham, Rhoda Iles, of Plattsmouth, Nebr., Alva W. Benson of Unland, (Upland) Cal., Myrtle Hoffman and Grace Ramsey both of Earlham, also thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

This father not only gave of his best for the material welfare of his family, but in February 1886, while kneeling in his own home he found Christ as his Savior and gave the remaining years of his life in loyal devotion to his Lord and set a safe guard for his family in an example of righteous living and simple faith and confidence that he was God's and in His love and care all would be well.

He united with the United Brethren Church, remaining a faithful conscientious member until the close of life.

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