Smyrna times., 1908-01-08
CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. BENSON DEAD
Aged Lighthouse Keeper of the Bombay Hook
Lighthouse Passes Away Suddenly Satur-
DAY Evening Last Of Heart Attack.


SIX years keeper of the Bombay Hook
Lighthouse fell to sleep Saturday
evening at five O'Clock with apparently
no warning, aged 78 years. He had
been in feeble health for sometime and
while crippled with rheumatism was
able to get about. He was in Smyrna
Friday attending to business and Sat.
urday evening had been out milking
the COW. Returning to the house he
sat IN his easy chair and remarked TO
his wife that he felt tired and asked if
she would mind going to the tower to
see after the light. She responded
and was gone only few minutes and
returned to find him gasplng his last.
Death resulted from heart failure. The
news of Captains sudden death was
carried to the neIghbors and word was
brought to Smyrna as soon as possi-
BILE. 1t was shock to his friends and
all who heard it. Funeral services
were held this morning at Asbury NJ.
E. Church, Rev. Robert Watt, offici-
atlng, aud interment was made in the
family burying ground in Odd Fellows
Cemetery. Captain Benson was the
son of Benjamin and Maria (SheweID
Benson, and was born in Smyrna
March 18th. 1880. His father was a
prominent carriage builder in this town
member of the well-kuown firm of
Benson Il Cats under whom a number
of Smyrnians learned their trade.
Captain Benson was apprenticed at
carriage making and continued in the
business until 1862 when President
Lincoln appointed him keeper of the
Bombay Hook Light Iu the forty six
years that have passed he has been faith
to his duties &mid some very trying
experiences He enjoyed the distinc
tion of being the oldest light keeper in
point of service on this district. From
only three lighthouses between SMYRNA
and Philadelphia he saw the service in
crease to over thirty. During the war
Capt. Benson was member of the
Home Guards Sixth Delaware Regi-
ment but because of his appointment
to Bombay Hook was not called upon
in active service. In politics he was
Republican having become member
of the party after the dissolution of the
Whig Party. No one co uld ever ques-
tion his Republieanism. He was trne
fn tho Ho ,Ao
dist and when he could, attended the
NJ. E. Church. On February 10, 1852,
he was united in marriage to Mary
Elizabeth, daughter of Enoch and
Lydia (Denney) Crockett. She died
February 10Th, 1898. Twelve children
blessed this union: Benjamin Benson,
Wilmington; Rev. Walter G. Benson,
Cincinatti, Ohio; Charles Z. Benson,
Clyde, Ohio; Alfred d. Benson, De-
troit, Mich. Frank E. Benson, Colling-
dale, Pa. Edgar L. Benson, Philadel-
phia; Eta (Mrs. I. H. Wood, Phila-
delphia; Hepburn S. Benson, Aldan,
Pa; Harry @. Benson, Aidan, Pa. and
| May, Mrs. DR.. A. L. P. Huston, J Allie
gheny, Pa. Annie, (Mrs. Charles E.
Osborn died some years ago and JOS
eph II. Benson died Monday, Decem-
Der 2nd last from an operation from
Appendicitis. On April 2nd, 1895 Cap
tain Benson married again, his second
wife being Miss Matilda, daughter of
the late Arthur and Margaret (Elbert)
Forman, a sister to Mrs. Alexander
FAIRIES, of Smyrna.
Miss Sarah J. Megesr Dies From Heart Attack
Miss Jarah J. Megear sister of
Thomas B. Megear of this town died
Friday evening at 7.3O o'clock from a
heart attack aged 75 years. She had
been in failing health for sometime.
About the middle of November she
suffered a paralytic stroke which af-
| fected her left side and rendered her
/ helpless. She was recovered from
this stroke slowly when she suf-
fered the heart attack. Her sudden
death was a severe shock. The de-
ceased was a daughter of the late
Daniel and Esther (Jones) Megear.
Her early days were spent at school
teaching and for several years she had
one of the rooms at the old Number 3
| School on North Street. In 1862 she
formered partnership with her sister
Mary, under the firm name OF M. h. &
s. J. Megear and until her recent affiic-
tion had been in continuous business
for As years in the property between
the old Beck and Gordon stores on
Main Street. She was the business
head of the firm and was esteemed for
her kindly interest and genial bearing.
When the firm dissolved last month
the deceased with her sister moved in
with their brother Thomas B. Megear.
. On, l,ev of inuor ctandinU at