MRS. MARY BENNAMAN—IS SHE A SISTER OF
COMMODORE O. H. PERRY?
Mary Perry was her maiden name, and she was the daughter of William Perry. She was born in Chester County, Delaware, March 15, 1773. At the age of thirty-five she married Wm. Coulter. He died when she was fifty-two. She afterwards married Mr. Bennaman. Her son Peter Coulter says: "The celebration of the birth-day of Mrs. Mary Bennaman, of Russiaville, Indiana, was an unique affair. It was also the birth-day of her son Peter. Three hundred citizens, headed by a brass band of music marched to the house where she was then staying." Mrs. Bennaman has been a resident of Ames or the vicinity for a number of years. At this time she is living with her daughter, Mrs. Black, of Ames. Mrs. Black is a widowed lady herself. It has been said Mrs. Benna man was a sister of Commodore O. H. Perry, who, after three hours desperate fighting on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, defeated the British and then wrote briefly and definitely to General Harrison the result. He said: "Dear General, we have met the enemy and they are ours. Truly O. H. Perry." Mrs. Black does the talking when information is sought, and says her mother (Mrs. Bennaman) is no relation to Commodore Perry so far as she knows. There was a letter, years ago, written by a sister of the Commodore's to Mrs. Bennaman, making inquiry as to relationship but no relationship was ascertained. Mrs. Bennaman has but few, if any, her senior' in Iowa. Just think of it! A citizen of Story County was born three years before the "Declaration of American Independence" was made, and is still living! She is 114 years old and past.
DECORATION DAY, MAY 30, 1887, AT VARIOUS PLACES
IN STORY COUNTY.
The following reports of our dead soldiers were made May 30, but the reports from some parts of the county were not received in time for notice:
THE HONORED DEAD.
The following are the veterans buried in the Nevada Cemetery and their regiments so far as given in the Grand Army roster: Andrew Patton, M. D., 60th Iowa Infantry; David L. Stephens, Co. D. 1st Colorado Cavalry; George Adams, Co. G, 7th Iowa Cavalry; Thomas G. Richardson, unknown; Q. A. Boynton, 22d Iowa Infantry; William Talbott, War of 1812; P. M. Chauncey, 32d Ohio Infantry; S. M. Chenoworth, 47th Iowa Infantry; L. Irwin, Co. F, 15th Indiana Infantry; Alba Hall, War 1812; John W. White, 143d Pennsylvania; Frank Bobo, 46th Iowa Infantry; J. R. Fetterhoff, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry; George Schoonover,