Ilion High School - Class of 1888

Ilion Citizen - March 23, 1888

William W. Benton, Jr.

Article 1

William W. Benton, Jr.

Sad and Sudden Death of a Promising Young Man

The saddest duty of many a day is that which compels us to chronicle the death of William W. Benton, Jr., the only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Benton of this village.

There is, so far as we mortals can see no philosophy nor sophistry governing the going and coming of the death messenger, but the irrevocable will of Him who createth, is unchangeable and absolute. Before it we bow in humble submission.

Deceased had just recovered from an attack of measles and was in school again the last days of last week. He took a severe cold, suffered a relapse and it is thought was exposed to the inhalation of sewer gas, resulting in a severe case of diphtheria. All that loving hearts and hands could direct and execute was done but to no avail and the robust, hearty youth of but two days before, about eight o'clock Monday morning, succumbed to the dread disease and passed front his earthly abode.

Wm. Benton was 16 years old at the time of his death and was a general favorite. In school he was among the first and was considered one of the most brilliant, faithful, and promising scholars which ever entered the Ilion union school. He was pursuing the classical course and by his scholarship and rank had won the honor of salutatorian of this class – the class of '88 with which he would have graduated next June. Upon the announcement of his death in school Monday morning, it was noticeable that there was scarcely a dry eye in the room and the teachers and scholars were so deeply affected, that it was with difficulty that the school was held in session. He was the pride and love of his teachers and most highly honored and esteemed by all his schoolmates as well as all who knew him, for his principles were manly and noble and his character above reproach. The every-day teachings of his life can but have a wholesome influence upon those with whom he was associated.

Funeral was held Wednesday and was private, rendered necessary by the nature of his disease; but memorial services were held at the M. E. church in the afternoon and very largely attended. Beside Rev. D. F. Pierce, the pastor, there was present Revs. Mead, Shepard and Bennett, former pastors of the church and C E. Maxfield of the Baptist church. The class of '88, principal teachers and scholars of the academy, board of education, Ilion lodge I. O. G. T. were all in attendance and the church was crowded. The church was trimmed and draped and the floral offerings were rare, among which were the following: A broken column, from his Sunday school class; a broken wheel, lettered "from his classmates"; gate ajar, from pupils in the senior department; a pillow, for I. O. G. T.; basket of flowers, from M. E. Sunday school, and a scroll from the teachers in the public school, lettered in Latin "Lauditissimus."

Memorial services were opened with prayer by Rev. C. E. Maxfield, followed by an appropriate song by the choir, after which Rev. d. f. Pierce delivered a remarkably fine and appropriate memorial address, extracts from which we present and we regret that our lack of space prevents publishing it in full.

"The sorrow that marks all faces, the cheeks that have been wet with tears, the great sorrows that came down on the hearts of the friends in this village when the word went out that 'Will is dead', all declare that this is not a hollow service --- a meaningless parade." From all facts which we could glean from teachers and friends, this, he said was apparent, that this young man had selected the material, and to some extent hewn the pieces which he purposed in future life to build up into a prominent and beautiful character. Quotations taken from his daily diary showed plainly that his desire was how to do the most good in the world --- how to make the most of oneself and how to do that which is most noble, manly and upright.

All facts which have come into my possession give evidence of this; that the young man was honest. Honesty was one of the principles of his character and I can think of no virtue that is more necessary that this, for whatever we may build above, if the foundation stones are not secure, all is gone and sooner or later there must be a complete wreck of all that we have built. So that honesty becomes one of the necessary foundation stones in the building of character, and he gave abundant proof that in all of his life and his thought and his purpose, he was strictly honest.

He showed in all of his school work that there never was a desire to evade a lesson or to scam to know what he did not know. He endeavored not simply to carry to his mind certain facts that some author had given, but going back of the opinion of authors he compared and sifted to know what was the real truth in the matter.

He desired to be true with himself, in fact, this was a great inspiration of his school life. He loved to study, it was his delight. There is in the mind of every true seeker after the truth an inspiration which gives strength and vigor to the mind engaged in the work. A desire to know is an inspiration to work and I think the love of truth was the real inspiration in his work in school, not a desire simply to accomplish so much and to pass such and such examinations or graduate at such a time and in such a way, but an inspiration to know that real living truths as they exist in the world, and this was not only shown in his student life, but among all his associates and in his home life, and so he was building his character on these two foundation stones, honesty and truthfulness.

Another virtue which he possessed was his inflexible purpose to carry out whatever he undertook, to do and to gain the victory over a seemingly impossible problem, which might be before him and to make the best use of the power that God had given him.

He did not like the study of mathematics, but he zealously applied himself to it because he thought he needed the mental discipline which the study gave him. He seemed to follow that which was a blessing to him, not simply that which was a delight to him.

A lady, who was well acquainted with him and who had spent much time in the family, said she had noticed some of the characteristics of his life and one of which he had often spoken, in the family and to his teachers, was his great desire to do some noble thing. This was also expressed in the quotation taken from his Journal: "The greatest blessing is the power to do good."

Another thing about his character was his wonderful faith. He had faith in his fellow men a thing which is very essential if we seek to gain success in life. His was not that mind that doubted everyone, and he had not that feeling of envy and jealousy toward those with whom he was associated. He also had unlimited faith in the word of God. In trouble he went to God in prayer.

The other pastors present also spoke words of praise and comfort, and the poem "He Giveth His Beloved Sleep." was read by Mrs. W. G. Skeel. The following resolutions prepared by the class of '88 and the teachers of the academy were read by D. A. J. Douglass of the school board.

To these resolutions the numerous friends of the bereaved family also add what sympathy is in their power, which, unfortunately, is all we poor human souls can do to lighten the burden. May God be their support in this day of trouble.