Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1904-07-02
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Grandma Phebe Benson, Who Dc
parted This Life Saturday,
June as.

June IS, at the ripe old age of 81 years
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mrs Phebe Forester was born in
Stapleton, Cumberlandshire, England,
August %, 1920. Her parents, Joseph
and Elizabeth FORESTER, were devout
orthodox Quakers, well.to-do, living on
their own estate.
When Phebe was about FIVE years
old, on account of her fathers failing
health the family moved TO Carlisle
For that beautiful place it is said.
"The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall
Health and peace to it's sons aud daughters
Aud long may they own its gladstone thrail
The CITY Of pleasant waters"
The father, however, died within a
few months. The subject of this sSetch
became proficient in the millinery and
dress-making business, which she
adopted as her profession, and was very
successful.
At the age of twenty.one she received
the gospel message from Richard Ben
son, the local leader of the the Latter
day Saints church, and was baptised by
him in October, 1871. Immediately af-
ter, with her sister Ann, she moved to
Liverpool, where the two did most
prosperous business. Copies of their
professional cards are still in the fam
lily. Richard Benson, who had previ
ously emigrated TO America, returned
to England as a missionary, wood and
won Phoebe, and they were married
June 80, 1914, in Old Church, England,
and in the autumn of the same year
left the old world to gather with the
saints, at Nauvoo, Ill. Two sons were
born there, tarrying but a short time
in the flesh.
She afterwards moved to st. Louis,
Mo-, where they lived until 1850, when
they came to the Salt Lake Valley, ar
irving July of that year. In the sum
mer of lS51 sister Benson came to paro-
wan, her husband HAVING preceded her
six months as Pioneer. And it is here
that she has erected ii monument to her
beautiful character in the minds of all
who know her. A genius in all kinds OF
needle work, hospitable, charitable
and earnest in all good works.
At the first organization of the
Relief Society in this ward, sister Ben
son was chosen president, and occupied
that position for many years. Twice
she has been called to this position,
laboring with energy and impartiality.
One calling she nobly filled, which was
the preparing of the dead for burial
every detail being under her supervi
sion for many years.
On May 20, 1902, testimonial was
rendered Sister Benson by the Relief
Society of this ward, in the form of q
ward social, in slight recognition of hei
useful praise. worthy career. An excel
lent program was rendered, a leading
feature being the singing of "Do Not
Forget the Old Folks" by her children
and grandchildren, which she joined
in singing. In her seat OF honor sh'
reigned queen of hearts that day. A
beautiful autograph album was presen
ted her by the r.. s. officers, with IA re
quest tibet her biography be writer
therein.
Sister Benson was the mother o
eight children, six of whom suryiy,
hel; so grandchildren and TWENTY-FIVE,
great-grandchildre Though nearl'
"a years of age, her spirit never grew
old. Beloved by all because sh
loved all our Fathers children.
During her last illness, which wa
only a few days, she blessed all VIII
came to her bedside, bid them far wa
and said, II am going to my long
sweet rest" She was conscious to tn
last breath and greeted death cheerful
ly. At the funeral services the taberna
Gle was draped with white, dotted wit
Her dying words, Sweet rest wer
conspicuous above the casket. Th
singing was beautifully appropriate.
The speakers were William {
Mitchell, Sarah A. Adams, Annie [
Ward, Il. Crane Watson, Bishops Chas
Adams and Morgan Richards, all o
whom were profuse with eulogies am
tender tributes of praise for the depar
ted, who "Sleeps the sleep of righte
BUSINESS.
Every blessed be the memory of dea
Grandma Benson.
Miss Maye Kyle's smiling countenanc