Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-09
Death of Colonel BediOrd-A
N0fahIe Old Man.

place TO DAY, almost asWe Wrlte thls
tribute. at ElmwOod Cemetery, It'll
due to his memory, to his family, and
to the rising generation, that more
than passing notice be made Of this
splendid old man. He was cast in
heroic mold, and belonged to small
class but seldom seen, and his biograS
ply, even briefly and imperfectly told,
demands place in the annals Of the
times, and of Tennessee.
BENJAMIN Watkins Bedford was
born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia,
on June Sth, 1884. His father was
Captain Thomas Bedford, RevOlu-
tionary soldier, who equipped a COM
psny at his own expense and who re-
fused promotion, giving as his reason
that he did not wish to be separated
from the boys who had been placed
under his special charge by their
mothers. His mother was Miss Ann
Robertson, probably Of Halifax, a
lady Of refinement, education and
social standing. His father sold out
in Virginia and invested in lands in
Kentucky and Tennessee, aud moved
with his family to Rutherford county,
Tenn. Before he had got fairly set
tied IN his new home he died, leaving
a widow and minor children, consist
ing Of FIVE boys aud two girls. Ben
jamin was six years old at the time.
His fathers estate was left in a very
confused condition. Some Of his pur-
chases we're lost sight Of and a preach
er, dependent upon the charity Of the
family, being familiar with affairs and
having access to all papers, worked
great injury to the estate for his own
benefit. Other reyerses followed, un-
til the estate dwindled to small pro-
portions, whereupon the boys, DT.
John r., VIM. H., George, Thomas
and Benjamin yielded up their inter-
est in their patrimony to their mother
and sisters-save their old servant
Harry-whom they emancipated.
Years afterwards, in 1859, lawyer Of
Kentucky, proposed to bring suit for
some Of the land formerly owned by
Colonel Bedfords father without any
expense whatever to the heirs
upon condition of receiving fee Of %
per cent of amount gained. Colonel
Bedford refused to give his consent to
open the litigation upon the grounds
that it would work great injustice
and some hardship to innocent own
ers.
Colonel Bedford received a good
English, mathematical and partial
classic education, entered mercantile
life in Nashville in 1914 in the drug
business. A few years afterwards he
formed partnership with his brother,
VIM. H., in a wholesale and retail
dry goods house. The business was
successfully conducted until about
1884. when Colonel Bedford concluded
to commence farming. One of the
main reasons Of his leaving Nashville
was the mortality of infants and the
frequent visitations Of cholera. His
wife having contracted this disease in
1893 aud 1884, hastenod his departure
aud he settled temporarily in Fayette
county, Tenn, adjoining the planta'
ton Of his father.in,law, Judge Robt
Whyte. He oIened a plantation il
Caddo Parish, La, and intended
moving his family there, but his wife
being in delicate health, he was ad
vised not to carry her there. lie re-
NAMED in Fayette county until 1912
when he moved to Pamela county
where he resided until 1866, whenc,
be moved to Shelby county, Tenn
AID lived here until the death Of BIZ
wife in 1872, since which time it car
not be said he had any regular or per
mAnent home-spending his winter
on his plantation in DeSoto county
Miss, and his summers in Virginia Of
Middle Tennessee. About one yea
ago he sold his plantation in DeSot
county and purchased land in Hills
borO county, Florida, intending t,
plant orange groves for each Of hi
grandchildren. He was on the street
Of Memphis early 10 October, and left
on the 9th apparently in his usua
health, but was taken sick on the roa
to Florida, reached there on the l6tl
and died at Tampa on the Oath. Iii
remains will be inferred in Elmwoo
Cemetery to-day. His life was an ex
emplifcation Of success attained b
energy, business methods and consci
entious exaetness, He had almos
perfect control OF himself and VIZ
moderate by virtue Of a strong will
seldom giving rein to natural bent say
in physical exertion and exposure, an
probably in the excessive use Of tobaI
co. He was perfectly devoid Of poll
ieal distinction or any preierment
corporate institutions, aud yet in b
younger days he was a successful lol
byist and somewhat Of Warwick
losal politics. Ho was soho
mate and friend Of I'm
X. Polk, but he preierrt
but one request to him while Pres
dent, and that was an unsolicited 7
commentator to continue one Of Il
officials 10 the War Department sole
upon grounds Of capacity and efIicieI
ey. When General jackson "
wounded in the arm he was tax
to the residence Of Mrs. Andersc
the grandmother Of DR.. Martin a
Mrs. Aud. j. Donelson, both former
of Memphis, aud also the aunt Of Nj
Bedford. Colonel Bedford nurl
him continuously for three weeks.
said the historical account contain
many errors, especially that relati
to the amputation There was no 90
sultaliOn Of friends or discussion
the presence Of General jackson; III
he and the attending physician We
the only ones who saw aud dressed Il
wounded limb. He possessed r
markedly retontivo memory, and vi
a reliable encyclopedia Of the earl
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