For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 720
BENJAMIN EMMONS LILLY....Among the successful merchants of Muscatine none is more respected than Benjamin E Lilly, who for many years has been actively connected with the business interests of the city. He was born at Bloomington, now Muscatine, September 23, 1842, and is a son of John H. and Susan P. ( Howland ) Lilly, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter at Montpelier, Vermont. The father was a tailor by trade and was one of the early settlers of Muscatine, continuing here until his death. The mother deprated this life at the age of forty-four years. They were both members of the Methodist church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lilly : John H. Jr.; Edward and Charles W., deceased ; Benjamin E., our subject ; William W., of Burlington, Iowa ; Mary B., the wife of James Frame ; Caroline S.; and Harriet, who died in infancy.Benjamin E. Lilly was educated in the public schools of Muscatine and upon attaining manhood, feeling that the country needed his services in its hour of extremity, he enlisted in Company G, Second Iowa Cavalry, serving for four years and three months. He was in many of the great battles of the war, among which were the battles of Corinth, Nashville and Coffeyville, and in numerous skirmishes, performing his duty at all times in such a way as to receive the hearty approval of his superior officers. With his regiment he participated in many charges and was often stationed in the front of the line but was never wounded, escaping injury as if by a miracle.
After receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Lilly returned to work in a sawmill and later became a clerk in a dry-goods store, in which position he continued for fourteen years. In 1881 he became associated with N. H. Hine and established a dry-goods store at No. 103 East Second street. The business flourished and in 1896 he acquired Mr. Hine's interest and has since conducted the store under his own name. It is one of the flourishing institutions of the city and has doubled in size under the efficient management of the subject of this review.
On the 14th of October, 1873, Mr. Lilly was united in marriage to Miss Rose L. Fitchner, a native of Burlington, Iowa, whose parents came from Germany and were early settlers of Burlington. Five children have been born ot the union : John W., of Oklahoma ; Elizabeth, of Comanche county, Oklahoma, who is married to John W. McKee and is the mother of one son, Robert L.; Benjamin, who is identified with his father in business ; and Ellen and Mabel, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Lilly are members of the Presbyterian church and are liberal contributors toward its support. Politically Mr. Lilly is an adherent of the democratic party. He holds membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; De Molay Commandery, No. 1 K. T.; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. He is also identified with Norman Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Muscatine. This post was named in honor of the first man from Iowa killed in the Civil war. Mr. Lilly was a brave soldier when the life of his country was assailed and not less manfully has he performed the duties of citizenship. By his sagacity, perseverance and good judgment he is now at the head of a flourishing business which is highly creditable to himself and to the community.
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