EMMET BENEDICT

      EMMET BENEDICT is another of the worthy citizens whom the old Empire state of the Union has contributed to Eaton County, and he is the owner of a good farm in Sunfield Township, having been a resident of the county since his boyhood days. He was born in Oswego county, New York, May 26, 1852, being a son of John and Roxana (Kinne) Benedict, both of whom were likewise native of New York state, where the former was born i 1822 and the latter in 1817. Both passed the closing years of their lives on the homestead now owned by the subject of this sketch, the father’s death occurring April 8, 1894, and that of the mother in 1896. While resident of New York John Benedict was employed as head sawyer in a saw mill, being thus engaged until 1865, when he came with his family to Michigan, arriving in October, and purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sunfield Township, the entire tract being unreclaimed. He erected a small frame house and cleared about sixty-five acres of land before his death, being aided by his sons. He eventually sold eighty acres of the place, and his son Emmet, whose name introduces this article, now owns the remaining eighty acres. John Benedict was a man of fine physique, tall and athletic, and his health was always excellent until he contracted pneumonia, which resulted in his death five days later; his wife succumbed to a stroke of paralysis, having been in good health until two years prior to her demise. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was a stalwart Republican. Of the three children Emmet was the second in order of birth. Martha W., who was for many years a successful and popular teacher in the public schools, died unmarried, at the age of thirty-nine years. Judson H., who married Miss Ensa Williams, resided in the village of Sunfield, where he met his death as a result of an accident in a sawmill, having been caught in a shaft, and having been forty-six years of age at the time. Emmet Benedict attended the common schools in the state of New York until he was thirteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan. His educational advantages thereafter were limited in scope, but he has not failed to profit by the valuable lessons ever to be learned under the direction of that wisest of all head masters, Experience. He assisted materially in the clearing and other work of the home farm, and at the age of twenty-three years purchased forty acres of the same, renting the remaining portions from his father, while later he purchased his brother’s interest and came into full ownership of the farm, which now comprises eighty acres of very productive land. The residence on the place is a good frame house, the same having been erected by his father a number of years after the building of the first little domicile. Since the death of his father, Mr. Benedict has erected the excellent frame barn now on the place. He has inherited much of the mechanical ability of his father and for several years he operated a threshing machine, while he also had charge of a sawmill for a time. For five years he was engaged in the undertaking business in the village of Sunfield, returning to home farm after purchasing his brother’s interest, and having since given his attention to general farming and stock growing. Mr. Benedict is found arrayed as a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican Party, and he served one term as justice of the peace; for many years he has been a school officer of his district. He became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows many years ago, but does not maintain active affiliation with the same at the present time. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. February 25, 1875, stands as the date of the marriage of Mr. Benedict to Miss Lucy Stockwell, who was born in Springfield, Oswego County, New York, July 25, 1847, a daughter of Edward and Polly (Lowell) Stockwell. Her father was born in England, May 1, 1797, came to America when a young man and died in New York state, at the patriarchal age of ninety years; his wife was born in New York, November 19, 1805, and passed her entire life in that state, where her death occurred January 24, 1876. They became the parents of five children all of whom are living: Elmira is the wife of George Seckner and they reside in the state of New York: Delevan is a retired farmer, residing in Loveland, California, and he and his wife have six daughters: Emaline resides in the city of Lansing, Michigan, being the widow of Thomas Walsh, who was for many years a resident of Sunfield Township, Eaton County; Moses is a resident of New York, being a carriage maker, and also owning a farm; and Mrs. Benedict is the youngest of the children. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict became the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Jennie S., who was born February 25, 1877, a popular teacher in the public schools of Eaton County; Frederic died at the age of four years; Ernest is married and resides in Kalamo township; Leroy, who was born October 27, 1888, is associated with his father in the work of the home farm.