KETCHAM, Benjamin: 1929-1911

KETCHAM, LIGHTFOOT, TAYLOR, SEELEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/19/2013 at 10:32:01

Death of Benjamin Ketcham.
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Another of the good citizens of Van Buren county has passed to the other world. Benjamin Ketcham died at his home in Bonaparte, Iowa, about 3 o'clock, Tuesday morning, April 25, 1911, at the age of 81 years, 4 months and 6 days. For several months he had steadily declined in health, though he kept up and about until a short time previous to his death.

The deceased was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 19, 1829. Until 1855 he made his home with his parents, when he came to Iowa, and in 1856 he purchased a 240-acre farm in Bonaparte township, this county, where he resided until he retired from farming and took up his residence at Bonaparte a number of years ago. To the farm of his first purchase he added until, in 1890, he owned 1,000 acres of land.

During the war he enlisted in the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry and went with his company to Keokuk but on final examination he was rejected because of a crippled ankle. Oct. 27, 1863, he married Miss Mary Lightfoot, who along with six children, survives, Alice dying when eight years of age. Those living are Mrs. Murray Taylor, Joel, Mrs. W.B. Seeley, George, Frank and Clay.

Mr. Ketcham was universally esteemed by all his acquaintances. His name was never spoken except with respect. The writer enjoyed his acquaintance since 1876 and always enjoyed meeting and conversing with him. He was sensible, conservative, thoroughly honest and firm in his convictions. He was a gentleman always, a christian and a patriotic citizen. His membership was in the Presbyterian church. in politics, he was a democrat, but was intensely in favor of temperance, being always a prohibitionist.

He will be missed in his home town and will be mourned, not only by relatives, but by his acquaintances. The funeral will be held at Bonaparte at 1 o'clock Thursday of this week, the services being in charge of Presbyterian ministers, Rev. McKay of Mt. Pleasant and Rev. Clark of Dows, Iowa. The burial will be in the Sharon cemetery.

**Handwritten: also see 203G

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 74, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA