The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-05

would 60 on with her work. In her habits abe
has always been regular and temperate. She
eats heartily OF what she wants, has never had
any sickness Of consequence. and Is strongly OPP
posed to taking medicines Sho has never been
a drinker of tea or coffee, but enjoys cup Of
chocolate, which she takes at every meal
Mrs. Benenmans maiden name was Mary
Perry, daughter of Capt. CHRISTOPHER r. Perry,
an officer In the revolutionary war. She
was born in Sussex county, Delaware. April
"a. 1863, and at the beginning OF the present
century was married to William Coulter,
being then matured woman of more than
thirty years Her first child. Peter Coulter. was
born April 81, 1905, and two years afterward her
second son. About 1903 she, with her husband
and two boys, started for Ohio, which was then
the star West" They travelled in one-horse
wagon or cart through Wild broken. sparsely-
settled country, beset with many dangers, with
Indians and wild animals lurking near. When
within some fifty miles OF their future home the
horse died, ard the remainder of the journey
was made on foot the children being conveyed
In wheelbarrow. Their journey ended In Pick
away county, where they settled upon farm,
building the second house where now is Circle
vile. Mrs. B. rendered valuable assistance In
the building carrying mud and sticks. and
building the chimney to the new house with ner
own hands Ohio as State, was then but nve
years old, and the country west of it was but
vast wilderness, inhabited principally by red
men.
Mr.. and Mrs Coulter lived in Pickaway coun-
ty for many years, during which there were
born to them five sons, four of whom are dead.
Mr.. Coulter died near Circleville, and some
years after Mrs. c. was married to John Benen-
man, who lived but year. A daughter was
born to Mrs. 3. shortly after her husbands
death, which made in all eight children. four Of
whom are now living. VIZ: Peter Coulter aged
eighty-one, now in this county; James and
Charles Coulter, who are both old men, and live
near Boonvile, No., and Mrs. Elizabeth BLACK,
now living i'll this city. Mrs. Benenmans de-
scendants are numerous, and scattered far and
wide, and if they were counted would number
nearly $50.
About 1853 Mrs B. came to Indiana with her
sons and settled in this county, near where she
now lives. After remaining there nearly twenty
years she moved with some relations to Ames.
Story county, Iowa, living there. ten or twelve
years. One year ago she returned to this coun-
ty and took up her abode with her eldest son,
who is an old man in limited circumstances, but
honest and reliable.
1t was on the return trip to Indiana that Mrs.
B. first rode upon railroad train, and In speak
ing of it she said: Il scared l saw SO
many sparks flying past the window thought
the cars would catch fire. / like the old way
best-the old way"
Notwithstanding her advanced age she is
possessed of considerable snap. and shows her
temper sometimes. Last summer the village
photographer went to the house to take her pict-
ure. He placed her in position and got every
thing ready, when he discovered that he had for
gotten the plates. In her excitement she dropped
her glasses and broke them, and this added to
her ire and made her "spunky." She told him
he'd better learn his business before he tried an
other job.
Her memory is not clear. but she remembers
the events or many years ago more distinctly
than those happening more recently. General
George Washington was a friend Of her father
and she remembers of having seen him upon sew
eral occasions. "A year ago she could remem-
Der more of the past than now. She gave an ac-
count then to her daughter of what she remem-
bered when she little girl-of the ships
going up Delaware bay the red coats of the sol
diers, the Smelling and destruction of Lewiston,
even remembering of taking the family cat in
her arms and going under stable for refuge of
turning in the morning to find the town ruined
and tho ships gone away.
This grand old lady has certainly had long
and eventful life At the time of Bunker Hill
battle and when independence was declared she
school girl, thus making her several years
older than the star-spangled banner.
When she was twenty -one the center Of popu-
lation Of the United States was many miles east
of Baltimore. On the day of the battle of York
Toronto, 1879 she celebrated her forty fourth
birthday, and at the breaking out of the Next
grandmother of seventy -seven
AT the beginning of the late rebellion she was
ninety-two, and when Grant was first inaugu-
rated she had lived century, and now her age
is almost six score years.
When your correspondent grasped her hand to
say good by" she closed it with gentle pressure
upon his own and sad "Youl come again9
Good-by. and may God bless you and take care
OF you alwavsv