Benefiel - James H.
JAMES H. BENEFIEL
Source: Crawfordsville Journal 4-13- 1887
James H. BENEFIEL, a well known and highly respected citizen of this city died after a long and painful illness of Bright's disease at the family residence on W. Pike Street at half past 2 o'clock last Sunday morning. Mr. B. was born at Jefferson Co, In Feb 28, 1817. His father George Benefiel came with his family to this county in 1836 and settled on the farm now owned by John L. Davis. With the assistance of all the settlers for miles around he built a round log cabin on the spot where Mr. Davis' fine residence now stands. Into this cabin of one room only half floored and with nothing but a quilt, he moved his family consisting of himself, his wife and 3 children: James H; Sarah now Mrs. H Rice Canine and Mary, the widow of the late William S. Fullenwider, and begun life in the wilderness. Here Harvey as he was familiarly called led the life of an ordinary pioneer farmer lad till the founding of Wabash College which he entered with the first class, remaining with the class till the Junior year. ON Jan 4, 1849 he was married to Jane McCONNELL and shortly afterward removed to Frankfort, Clinton Co, where he engaged in teaching for several years. Leaving Frankfort he settled in Crawfordsville and engaged in merchandising with varying success till five or six years ago he was compelled to retire from active business life on account of ill health. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Benefiel united with the Presbyterian Church under the ministration of Rev. James THOMSON and has been an active and zealous member the rest of his life. He was a man of tender sympathies, indomitable will fervent piety and of noble generosity limited only by his means. Throughout his illness of 3 weeks' duration his sufferings were constant and intense yet they were endured with patience and fortitude. Calmly he waited for the summons of the Master to come up higher. Earnestly he exhorted those who stood by his bedside to be zealous followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene. Mr. Benefiel was the father of 3 children, two of whom preceded him to the spirit land. His wife and daughter have the sympathy of a large circle of relatives and friends in their overwhelming bereavement. The funeral services took place at the home yesterday afternoon conducted by Rev E. B. Thomson of Center Church and Rev J. B. Crow of Remington. The pall bearers were T. D. Brown; A. Thomson; Ben T. Ristine; R. E. Bryant; Wm . Robertson and Joseph Milligan. Interment was made at Masonic Cemetery. - kbz