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WAUPACA REPUBLICAN May 5, 1905 BENJAMIN L.
HALES A former Waupaca Pioneer
Passes to His Reward at Hancock, Wis., April 16, 1905. From the Hancock News we publish an account of the death of Benjamin L. Hales. Mr. Hales will be remembered by many of the older residents of the city and vicinity as the son of the late Mr. And Mrs. Robert Hales who lived about three and ½ miles north, in the town of Waupaca, where they lived from the time of settling on the homestead in 1856; the mother passing in 1890, aged 78 years and the father in 1893 at the same age. The children who survive and live here are Mrs. Henry smith, and Robert Hales, of town of Waupaca; Mrs. Sarah Scott and Mrs. Katie Miner, who are residents of Waupaca city. Hosea Hugoboon a member of the Veterans Home was the husband of Martha Hales who died in Jan. 1898. The deceased Benj. Hales often visited here; was one of God’s noble men and a man whom it was a pleasure to meet. He was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and friends and in the societies and orders to which he was an honored member in the village where he had lived so many years. His sisters deeply and keenly feel their loss of a most kind and affectionate brother, who was also a model husband; father and an exemplary citizen. He was a brave defender of the Union cause in the civil war. His spirit is winged to loved ones gone before. Now, “only waiting”. Peace to his ashes. BENJAMIN L. HALES. The subject of this sketch was born at Oulton, England, Jan. 20, 1843, and came to America, settling in Waupaca, Wis., in 1856. During the Civil War he served in Co. K of the 29th Wisconsin. On October 26, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sylvia B. Jewett, of Dodge County. They lived near Waupaca until 1874, then came to Hancock and on March 10th of that year he began business as a member of the drug firm of Miner & Hales. A few years later Mr. Hales started a store for himself and thus continued until his death, April 6, 1905, though for the past four years the firm has been B.L. Hales & Son, B.F. Hales being the partner. Mr. and Mrs. Hales passed through many hardships incident to pioneer life, but by labor and economy they prospered. To them were born five children: rs. Etta Wright, Mrs. Lena Barton, Mrs. Eva Pehl, B.F. Hales and Miss Ethel Hales, all of whom reside in this village except Mrs. Pehl, whose home is in California. Mr. Hales had the appearance of a man in perfect health, but such was not the case. Since the death of his wife, April, 1902, disease and grief gradually worked together resulting in a complication of ailments and ending in death. Besides the children the near relatives left to mourn are a brother, Robert Hales, three sisters, Mrs. Henry Smith, Mrs. Sara Scott and Mrs. Katie Miner, all of Waupaca. Mr. Hales had much to do with building up the village, having erected several nice residences, besides his store and hall. He also contributed to public enterprises and was a man of strictest integrity. In the home he was a faithful husband and the kindest of fathers. Mr. Hales was a charter member of Tom Eubank Post G.A.R. When at the national encampment at San Francisco in 1903 he was chosen to carry the flag at the head of the Wisconsin troops. He was also a charter member of Edwards Lodge F. & A.M., being treasurer of that Lodge as well as of the Hancock Creamery Co., since its organization. The funeral was held from the home on Thursday afternoon, the service being according to Masonic rites and the G.A.R. acting as escort. Rev. Price preached the sermon. The large and beautiful flag belonging to Mr. Hales was buried with him in accordance with his request. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Eva Pehl, from Cal., Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Oestrich, from N. Dak., Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Hales, Mr. and Mrs. Henry smith, Mrs. Katie Miner, Mrs. Sarah Scott and Hosea Hugoboom, all from Waupaca, Mr. and Mrs. F. Sustin, from St. Point, and Mr. Thomas from Westfield. |