Benjamin F. Clayton 1839-1916

CLAYTON

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/5/2020 at 14:36:26

Villisca Review
Villisca, Iowa
January 26, 1916 pages 1&5

B.F. CLAYTON DIES SUNDAY

Passed Away at His Home in Northwest Villisca Sunday About 3 O'clock

HAD BEEN SICK FOR WEEKS

Had Been a Resident of Villisca for Forty-Five Years and Lived an Active Business Life

After an illness of several weeks filled with much suffering, B.F. Clayton died at his home in northwest Villisca Sunday afternoon at about three o'clock. The death of B.F. Clayton was sudden in one respect yet expected in another. Although he was sick a number of weeks with an illness which the family were told he could not survive, he had been active in his duties about town and at his office a few weeks before he was taken sick.

Benjamin Franklin Clayton was born in Miami county, Indiana, July 3, 1839, and at the time of his death was seventy-six years, six months and twenty-one days old. He lived in Miami county for a number of years. Later he went to South Bend, Indiana, and there he was married June 27, 1859, to Mary A. Ritter. The young couple made South Bend their home until about 1870 when they moved to Montgomery county with their family. While at South Bend Mr. Clayton was engaged in the large Studebaker factory which was then only getting its start in the world of great factories. When the family came to this county they lived for some time on the farm near here. Later they moved to Villisca and for forty-five years continuously they made Villisca their home. For thirty years Mr. Clayton was engaged in the livery business in Villisca. When he retired from that business fifteen years ago he entered the real estate business. Besides this he also attended to collections for Villisca firms. Up to the time of recent sickness Mr. Clayton was very active at his business. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton. The three daughters are still living. They are: Mrs. Lewis T. Shepherd of near Villisca, Mrs. J. W. Luce of Mt. Ayr, and Mrs. Burdette Moody of Carisbad, California. Two sons died in infancy. The funeral services were held from the home yesterday afternoon at 2:30. The services were conducted by Rev. Ewing of the Presbyterian church.

* Probably born in Fairfield Co., Ohio; moved to Miami county, Indiana at a very young age.

* Civil War Veteran. Co K 29th Indiana Infantry.