Vaughan, Benjamin 1800 – 1899

VAUGHN, VAUGHAN, CUTTING, DAREY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/14/2020 at 16:33:08

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer March 21, 1899, LP, C4 and Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 16, 1899 P 3 C 5

OBITUARY.
BENJAMIN VAUGHN.
The obituary notice which we copy from the Decorah Republican was furnished to that paper by Miss Tracy who was a neighbor of the Vaughns when on the farm near Fort Atkiuson.
“When one who was, perhaps, the oldest pioneer resident of our county, one who had almost rounded out a century of existence, passes over into the hereafter, to reap the reward of a well-spent life, it surely deserves more than passing mention.
“Benjamin Vaughn was born in the Province of Quebec, not far from Montreal, in the year 1800. Had he lived until June next, he would have completed his 99th year. He was married about the year 1840, (we have not the exact date,) to Miss Abigail Cutting, a woman of rare strength and beauty of character, to whose influence he attributed much of his success in life. Their home was for many years in St. Johns, Canada, where he carried on farming quite extensively, amassing a good property, which was invested in lands two miles west of Fort Atkinson, whither the family, consisting of himself and wife, two sons and a daughter, and his aged mother, removed the winter or spring of 1858, where the toils, and privations, as well as the pleasure of pioneer life on the prairies were experienced; and where a home was built up which was the center of good cheer and hospitality to all who came under its roof. Many an old citizen of Decorah can call to remembrance the pleasures afforded in visiting at the Vaughn homestead.
In 1878 his faithful wife was taken away and ever after he lived in preparation and anticipation of the reunion beyond this life. In temperament he was genial and social; in manner “a getleman{sic] of the old school,” rarely seen in these latter days; in religion an Episcopalian of the Low Church standards.
In the spring of 1895, though in good health, he was forced by blindness to give up the active duties of life, going to live with his daughter, Mrs. A. G. Darey, near Cresco, and there with vision gone and hearing greatly impaired, he has waited for the great change, which should restore powers, to come; retaining his memory and mental faculties, rehearsing to friends scenes in the early days of this century, before steam and electricity had become factors in the world’s progress, as well as conversing fluently on religious and political topics of the day, at home, and in foreign lands, his memory retaining whatever was read to him.
“Though a man of great activity he bore his helplessness with cheerfulness and patience, never losing sight or ceasing to speak of the love of God, and the consciousness of His presence with him. Many a young person will remember the talks with this aged man, the words of praise that fell from his lips and the lessons they have learned from this shut-in life.
“In December he was attacked with grip, and from that time the powers of life waned until he “entered into rest” on the evening of March 3d, 1899.
The funeral service was at the home of A. G. Darey the following morning, Rev. Gorrell, of Cresco, officiating. The interment was made in Oakwood Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa, near his wife and mother, many old friends of this city joining in the last rights of respect. “Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord. Yea; saith the spirit, for they shall rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”
“All of Mr. Vaughn’s children survive him, Tilly R., the eldest one, being now in Minneapolis in ill health; Hawley in Pasadena, Cal., and Mrs. Darey near Cresco.

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 9, 1899 P 3 C 3

—Mrs. A. G. Darey, of Cresco, was a guest at A. Bradish’s over Sunday last. She came down Saturday to bury the remains of her father, Benj. Vaughan.

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 9, 1899 P 3 C 4

—The remains of Benjamin Vaughan, for nearly forty years resident near Fort Atkinson, were brought to Decorah for burial on Saturday last. Had he lived until June next he would have completed ninety years, the last few of which were spent in blindness and dependance. During his active years he was a man of genial temper, busy life and much general intelligence, whom to know was to appreciate highly.

Transcriber's Note: The name is spelled two different ways.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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