Cheyenne record., 1914-01-01
Benz F. Edwards.
A Pioneer of Kansas Dies
at the age of "a years.

Benjamin +. Edwards, farmer, fruit
grower, stock grower, prominent Ma
son, distinguished soldier during the
civil war, and one of the most widely
known residents of Leavenworth coun-
ty, passed away December II, 1913, at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph
Cleavinger, at Lowemont. For weeks
the pioneer Kansan had been ailing
and no hopes for his recovery were
entertained. He was 81 years old.
Since 1855, when he staked out
claim near Kiclkapoo, Mr.. Edwards or
''Uncle Benz Edwards, as he was gen.
orally known, has resided in Kansas.
Being an ardent Free State man he
soon became acti rely identified with
the issues in Kansas previous to the
Civil War. When Il call for-volun-
teers was issued in this county he
shouldered his musket and did valiant
service in several engagements. He
enlisted in company A. Eleventh Kan
sas Infantry, July 20, 1864, and was
made sergeant in the organization.
TO PEACEFUL PURSUITS
Following the close of the war Mr..
Edwards returned to his farm, near
kickapoo and soon gained the reputa-
ton of being one of the most success
full farmers in the county. The home
stead consisted of POO acres mostly in
cultivation in Atchison county, Mr.,
f,,. fNf siv
ty acres on the greater portion of
which fruit trees were planted. He
paid particular attention to fruit grow
ing and stock raising. His sheepwere
of the Southdown breed add he was
extremely successful with his ilocks.
Mr.. Edwards was one of the Oldest
residents of his section and was close
ly identified with the history of Oak
Mills and Kickapoo. He was highly
respected and had the esteem of his
neighbors and many friends.
AN EARLY MASON.
A distinction of which Mr.. Edwards
much priced was the fact that he was
one of the Oldest members of the Ma
sonic Lodge in Kansas. He joined the
Kickapoo order in 1864, being one of
the first members. During his younger
days he was one of the prominent men
of the lodge.
Mr. Edwards was u staunch republi-
can and was considered power in
his nelghborhcod. although he never
sough. Office. For fifteen terms he
was road overseer of District No. /,
Eickapoo Township.
The pioneer Lcavenworth County
man was born i'll Washington County,
Tennessee, September l 1929. When
Ec was q; years old he came west
travelling extensively. He first settled
in Missouri where he taught school
for several wears. He settled on the
Kickapoo claim in 1855. On August
20 1851, he was married to Sarah Jane
Docley, of Oak Mills.
SURVIVING CHILDREN.
OF the twelve children, nine survive.
They are: Mrs. o. r. Spong, who lives
Wells. Colo: Mrs. Geo. Faulkner, of
EldoraGo, Kuns: Benz. +. Edwards,
Jr, MotSon, Wash; Mrs. James Noble
DeSMoines, Ia: Lyman +. Edwards,
Los Angeles, Calf; and Mis- Joseph
Cleaviryer, Lowemont.
Twenty five grand children and. two
great grand childreif. also survive.
Tho funeral services will he held at
the home of the daughter, Mrs. Cleav-
niger. Thursday morning at 10 o'clock
The MaSons will have charge of the
funeral. lnternent will be at Round
Prairie Cemetery. -Leavenworth Times
Mr. Edwards is we'll and ia
vorably known here, he having
lived near A ,apahoe for a num- {
ber of years with his son. Grant,
and was respected citizen of
this county. The RECORD. with
his many friends here. extend
svmpathies to the sorrowing
children,