The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-12-02
Death of Benjamin Mckenzie.

residence in Spencer Brook, Isanti
county, Benjamin Mckenzie quietly
passed away. Several years ago be
suffered from paralytic stroke, but
he rallied and although he had &C.
casional spells of sickness his health
was fairly good for man of his ad-
vanced years. On Thanksgiving day
he, in company with his son, James,
and family, had been invited to eat
dinner at Mr.. II. W. Prescott's, a near
neighbor, but he complained of not
feeling just right and concluded to
remain at home but insisted upon the
others going. About 1l:30 a. NJ,
shortly after James and his wife and
little daughter had left, neighbors
passing heard Mr.. Mckenzie calling
and upon entering found him lying on
the floor with the telephone receiver
in his hand. He told the neighbors
to notify his son at Mr.. Prescott's
and to call up r. C. Dunn and have
him get DR.. Cooney. AS fast as s..
S. Petterson's automobile could carry
him DR.. Cooney was at the sick mans
bedside. But glance convinced the
doctor that the sturdy old veteran had
had another paralytic stroke and that
his hours were numbered. He
fingered in a comatose condition until
I p. M, when the end came.
The funeral, which was held from
the house on Saturday afternoon, was
largely attended; all the old settlers
for miles around came to pay their
last tribute of respect to the memory
Of the hardy old pioneer. Rev. Mr..
Roper, pastor of the Spencer Brook
M. E. church, conducted the services;
his remarks we're brief but appro-
pirate. Several hymns we're sung by
a choir of Wyanett and Spencer
Brook ladies. The casket was
draped with the national flag and the
floral offerings were beautiful and
profuse. The remains we're inferred
in the little Clough burying ground
alongside those of his wife who had
preceded him % years before.
Benjamin Mckenzie was of Scotch
descent and was born at New Glasgow,
Nova Scotia, August %, 1929. He
made visit of several weeks
duration to his old home last sum-
mer. He came west in 1854 and
settled in Spencer Brook the same
year. He was one of the pioneers of
the town and selected a splendid piece
of land upon which he continuously
resided until the day of his DEATH
His farm is considered one of the best
in Isanti county. In 1859 he was
married to Miss Roxa Clapp,
daughter of the late Mrs. E. G..
Clough. Mrs. Mckenzie died in
1887, but the four children-James O.,
Mrs. r. G. Dunn, Mrs. Jennie Stark
and Mrs. Grace Babb-are all alive
and were present at their fathers
deathbed. Mr.. Mckenzie volunteered
in 1862 and enlisted in Co. A,
Eighth MINI. Inf; was mustered in
August IS, 1862, and was mustered
out July II, 1865. All his old COM
rades vouch for it that he was a brave
soldier, one who never finched in the
face of danger. He has served
numerous terms as town supervisor
and also as member of the board of
county commissioners. Mr.. Mckenzie
was always hard worker. He was
a man of fine physique and until few
years ago he never knew what it was
to be in i'll health. He was a WELL
informed man and was noted for his
rugged independence and blunt
ness of speech. He hated shams and
hypocrites. He had many excellent
traits of character and his heart was
in the right place: The last words he
ever uttered were to Mr.. 81. W. Pres
cott-' Horace, you have been a good
neighbor: they have all been good to
me-"
Methodist Fair and Supper.
The Ladies' Aid society held it's