Melissa Jane (CONLEY) BENSON

CONLEY, BENSON, ILLER, HICKMAN, MCLAUGHLIN, GRAHAM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/27/2009 at 01:55:48

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
1921

OBITUARY - MRS. JAMES ALSON BENSON

Melissa J[ane]. CONLEY was born on Feb 11, 1849 and passed away at her home in Diagonal, Iowa on Sat. evening Nov. 19, 1921 being 72 years, 9 months and 8 days of age. Her death resulting from a sudden attack of paralyses (sic).

She was born in the state of Indiana and when only a small girl moved with her parents to this immediate community and has since spent her entire life in Ringgold County. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry CONLEY and with her five sisters and four brothers endured the many hardships of this country when it was thinly settled and grew up as one of our early pioneers.

In Dec. 1868 she was married to J[ames] A[lson] BENSON and to this union there were born nine children five sons and four daughters. The daughters are: Mrs. Laura P. ILLER of Bethany, Missouri, Mrs. Eva J. HICKMAN of Greeley, Colorado, Mrs. Minnie M. McLAUGHLIN of Treynon, Iowa, and Mrs. Eldoner A. GRAHAM of Diagonal, Iowa. The sons are: Arba L. BENSON, Thomas H. BENSON, William BENSON, David E. BENSON, and Lewis A. BENSON all of this community. Besides the above children she leaves to mourn her loss from brothers and twenty five grand-children, one step daughter, Mrs. Luella V. GRAHAM of Diagonal, Iowa and a host of friends and neighbors. Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 1916.

Over thirty years ago she united with the Methodist church of this community and has since lived a devoted Christian life. She was not always testifying and telling her devotion to her master but her acts of kindness and mercy among her loved ones and neighbors showed her faith and her splendid acts will long be remembered, her steps never failed in ministering unto caring for and waiting upon those she loved.

NOTE: Melissa Jane (CONLEY) BENSON was interred at Centenary Cemetery, Knowlton, Ringgold County, Iowa.