Semi-weekly herald., 1907-11-28
BENJAMIN A. TAFT.


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BENJAMIN A. Taft. a son of John l..
/ Taft was born in Taberg, Oneida
county, New York. November /. 1881,
and died at his home in Silvcrton. Colo.
on Tuesday November 18th. from pa
ralysis. aged 10 years and 12 days.
He was descended from nm old New
England family. his grandfather hay.
ing moved from Massachusetts to
Oneida county during the early settle
meat Of that section of the state. He
is survived by his bereaved wife.
whose maiden name was Sadie Thomp-
| son, a former teacher In the public
schools OF Rome. Oneida county New
York. 10 whom he was married Octo-
Der Z. 1880. Two brothers and two
sisters survive him, Henry OF Chicago,
| m; Clarence of Whitewater. Wis;
Mrs. Jno. l.. Haincs of san Diego.
Cal. and sister In Chicago In his
| youth he was employed by the late
| A. Paycy who conducted u mercantile
| business In Rome. In the late Sos he
removed to Oconomowoc, Wis. enter
ing the employ of an uncle. a banker.
Later he engaged in the grocery busi-
ness with a brother in Madison. same
state At the breaking out of the civil
war, he enlisted In Company u. Twen
tythlrd Wisconsin infantry, in which
he was promoted to the rank of second
lieutenant and was wounded at the
battle Of Arkansas Post. He also
served with his regiment during the
Vicksburg campaign and at New Or
leans. He removed to Colorado In
1874, locating at San Juan City. Ante
lopo Park. where he opened a drug
store. The growth of tho place not
meeting his expectations. In 1875 he
packed his stock OF drns> over the
main range of the Rocky mountains
to Silverton. n newly located town in
Bakers Park and the present county
seat OF San Juan county. He erected
a store building and n residence which
he occupied many years having con
tinued in the same line of business
until his death. He was among the
pioneer merchants of the town and
the only one who had remained con-
tinuously In business to the present
time. He affiliated with San Juan
ledge No. 20, A. r. and A. NJ. soon
after its organization and was exalted
In Silverton chapter No. Al r.. A. VI.
about one year ago. He was also a
member in good standing In Silver
ton lodge No. 30. Ancient Order of
United Workmen. and a former mem
Der OF McRae post. No. 43. G. A. r.,
now disbanded, and a member of the
San Juan Pioneers association. He
joined the Congrcgationalist church
more than twenty years ago and was
n consistent member thereof to the
time of his death. His remains were
buried from the church of his choice,
which was filled to overflowing with
his friends. The display OF flowers
was large and beautiful. The societies
of which he was a member contribut.
ing appropriate floral tributes. Rev
Morell of the Presbyterian church In
Durango. In the absence of the regular
minister. officiating The funeral was
ir charge Of the Masonic lodge. which
conducted the Impressive ceremony OF
the order at the grave. Over sixty
members. including those from neigh
boring towns were present. The A.
o. U. w. organization was also repre-
sented. and many pioneer friends of
the family were In attendance. By
proclamation of the mayor. the bust
ness houses were closed as a tribute
Of respect to the memory OF a worthy
and upright man and citizen.