Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1920-01-01
REV. M. BENSON
WORTHY PASTOR
CALLED BY DEATH
One Of the Leading Methodist
Preachers Of this Conference
Dies at Eau Claire on Birthday

Dies alt Eau ClaHe on barfhday
w. d. Stanley of BaraDoo has re
ceived a copy OF the Eau Claire Lead
er which tells of the death OF Rev
Michael Benson, Dec.24, 1919. a for
mer pastor at Baraboo. The item in
part says.
The death of the Rev. Michael
Benson, d. D., marks the passing OF
man of unusual character in this
community, man who has lived a
complete life, and who was sustain
ed to the end by the simple but
strong faith in which he walked all
the days of his life. He died at
about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon
and it was the 88th anniversary OF
his birth, for he was born on Dec.
"a, 1881, in the township of Dar-
lington Ontario.
About his bedside were all his
immediate relatives, his widow, his
son, Rev. J. M. Benson of La Crosse
and daughters, Mrs. I. V. Wiltrout
of Chippewa Falls; Mrs l.. H. Grif-
fin of Salina, and Mrs. G. w. Speigle
of Beatrice, Nebraska
For several days DR. Benson had
been fast failing, but often had
rallied in wonderful way Only
at times was his mind clouded by
weakness, and almost to the end
he manifested great interest in per-
sons and things. The day before his
death, with cheerful voice he said to
his son-in-law DR.. Wiltrout: "My
time is surely here; my new home
is not far Off This world has been
awful good to me. / go satisfied !"
On Monday he had requested a fam
ily worship, his son reading and pray
ing. In the Lords prayer DR.. Benson
Joined speaking the words with dis
tinctness. In such way his earthly
life was closed.
He was descendant of a, we'll
known Canadian family. Shortly after
his birth his father, James Benson,
moved to the township of Whitby
where the son grew up. He taught
school for two years. In 1853 he was
converted at a revival meeting
He united with the Canadian Meth
odist church, studied for the min
istry and in 1855 began preaching.
He was married on Sept is, 1859 to
Miss Sybil Pray Hamilton, of Port Bur
well, Canada, and eight children
We're born to them, four now sur
viving. In 1864 he was a charter
senator of Albert university, Cana
da.
DR.. Benson came to Wisconsin in
1876 joined the West Wisconsin con-
ference, and served Methodist churches
at Mineral Point, Madison and Hud-
son. He became presiding elder of
the st. Croix district. Later he held
pastorates at Baraboo, Monroe, and
Lake Street church, Eau Claire, and
became presiding elder of the Eau
Clairie District. Then followed pas
torates at Chippewa Falls, Barron
and the First M. E. church of this
city. Under his supervision the pre-
sent edifice was built Few Methodist
preachers have been better known in
the United States or in Canada than
this good man. He was delegate
in Canada to four general conferences.
In 1872 he was fraternal delegate to
the general conference Of the Metho
dist church of America in Brooklyn
n 7 He was delegate to confer
ences at Philadelphia in 1884.
For fifty nine years he is said to
have never missed answering the roll
call of the first days of each of his
conferences.
He was an active member of the
Masonic order.
The funeral was held today. CON
Quoted by Bishop Charles Bayard
Mitchell, D. d., L. L. D., of st. Paul
assisted by Rev. j. w. Irish, d. D..
district superintendent. The arrange
ments were in charge of Rev. E. q.
Horth. the pastor at Eau Claire.
There was also Masonic service.