Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-03-24
Twin Cities Last Civil
War Soldier Is Called

]. L. (Lum) Benjamin, 90, th'
last surviving Civil war soldier O.
the twin cities, passed away Frida.
forenoon, March 18, at 10 O'Clock
at his home in Malta. Death wal
due to general infirmities, and ht
had been in declining health for
long time.
James Lumis Benjamin was sol
of the late Horace L. and ,Saraf
Practically his entire life was spen
in Malta township and Malta vii
lage. When 16 years of age he en-
listed with the 62nd Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and served throughout
the remainder of the war. He saw
hard service, and was in General
Grants Tennessee campaign and in
s'March to the Sea-" He was good
On Aug. IL, 1867, he was united
in marriage to Rebecca Mcdaniel
John Timms, J. p, performing the
ceremony. They were the parents
of one son and three daughters, OF
whom but one daughter survive,
Clara, wife of Kinsey Mercer of the
home. Children deceased are Ed
ward BENJAMIN, Lottie Gillespie and
Ella Best. Besides the daughter
named he leaves nine grandchildren
and II great grandchildren; and
one brother Amos Benjamin of
Crooksville, who is the last of a
family of eight. Other members Of
the family were Harmon, George, M.
F., William and Chester Benjamin
and Mrs. Ellen Spurrier.
The deceased's wife passed away
death and up until several months
ago, Mr. Benjamin, solely of his
own choosing. lived alone, at his
home in Malta. He kept his home
spick and span at all times; was a
splendid cook, and his hobby was
the growing of house plants and
garden flowers, the windows of his
home being filled during the winter
months with the choicest of bloom
man of fine bearing and appearance,
always dressing neatly and becom-
ingly He was member of the
Malta Methodist Episcopal church,
and of the G.. A. r. SO long as it ex-
listed. For many years he and the
late A. A. Coulson took the leading
part in the Memorial day exercises
at the Malta and McConnelsville
cemeteries He was a good citizen,
right side of all moral questions.
Military funeral services for Mr..
BENJAMIN were held Monday after
noon at 2 o'clock at his late home.
Rev. Paul I. Wachs was the officiat-
ing minister. He spoke from the
text II Have Fought Good Fight"
and also read the hymns abide
Me-" Mrs. Alice Manly, read
Bishopville and H. D. Christman of
Glohster, Civil war soldiers, both
about the same age as Mr.. Ben
jamin, the three serving in the same
regiment, were present and gave
the G. A. r. ritualistic funeral SER
vices both at the home and at the
lean Legion and Of Company l.,
escort of the body to Malta ceme-
terry, where interment was made,
the services concluding with a squad
from the O. NJ G. firing salute, and
as the body was lowered into the
grave taps were sounded. The pail
bearers were Fred D. CoulsOn, 0. A.
Richardson, Clyde Landsittle, Ho~
mer Mcbride, H l.. Cowan and Lee
Smith.
Among those from away at the
funeral were H. D. Christman,
Glouster; J. w. Moody, Bishopville;
Mrs. Ollie Garrett and daughter
Helen of Crooksville; Carl Ben
jamin and wife, Ernest Benjamin
and wife, and Harold Shooey and
wife, all of Chicago, ILL.,; Emmett
Hughes and wife of Philo; Mr.. and
Mrs. Bert Eggenbrogue of Piqua;
Graydon Benjamin and Miss Munk
of GAINESVILLE; Herbert Mercer of
Wellington; Mrs. Taylor and daugh-
ter of Charlottesville, and Mrs. Ann
Osborn, near Dover.
The passing of Mr.. Benjamin
leaves but four Civil war sol
diers residing in Morgan county
Hiram Mccain, Stockport; George
Yarnell and George Patterson OF
Chesterhill, and J. w. Moody, Bisn-
opville.