OBITUARY PAGE FOR
"B"
Beckloff, William
William Beckloff, of 426 East Broadway, a retired Santa Fe car inspector, died Saturday evening at Bethel Deaconess hospital. He was past 78 years of age.
Mr. Beckloff had returned recently from the Santa Fe hospital at Topeka, but his condition had not been critical until last Thursday, when he suffered a stroke.
Born Dec. 6, 1873 in the province of Galicia, Austria-Hungary, Mr. Beckloff was the son of Nicholaus and Sofia Beckloff and had lived in Newton for about 40 years. He came to America in 1884 with his parents and their family of 10 children.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran church, the Royal Neighbors of America and Modern Woodmen of America.
He is survived by his wife, the former Goldie Lattin, to whom he was married June 30, 1940 at Perry, Okla.; one son, Donaphun Beckloff of Euclid, Ohio, and two grandchildren, Terry and Ruth Ann Beckloff, of Euclid.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 at Moody's Funeral chapel. Rev. Claud J. Mustain, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate and burial will be in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral chapel anytime this afternoon or evening.
newspaper source undocumented
Benson, George
Prescott, Ark. (Special)
George W. Benson, 74, of Rt. 32, Prescott, died Thursday morning in a Prescott hospital.
br> Services will be at 2 p.m. today in the Bluff City Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Westmoreland. Burial will be in the Bluff City Cemetery.
Mr. Benson was born in Ouachita County, Ark. He was a retired carpenter and farmer. He was a member of the Red Hill Methodist Church in Chister, Ark.
Survivors include a dauJhter, Mrs. James Cumings of Prescott; three sisters, Mrs. Hester Tuv(b)verville and Mrs. Joe Savacool of Camden, Ark; and Mrs. Noble Cubbage (Cubage) of Oklahoma City, Okla., five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Texa Gazette, November 10, 1972
Benson, Mollie
Mrs. Benson Died ThursdayChidester Matron is Stricken Suddenly at Son's Home
Mrs. Mollie Benson, aged 73, died very suddenly in the home of her son, Abner Benson of Chidester Thursday night. She was apparently in good health and was sick for only a few minutes. She had lived her entire life in Ouichita county.
She is survived by three sons, Abner Benson of Chidester, Marshal and George Benson of Prescott; and six daughters, Mrs. Enden Creech and Mrs. C. R. Tuberville of Camden, Mrs. Rushia Graham of Homer, La., Mrs. Harrett Mosley of Reader, Mrs. Nobie Cubage of Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Willie Savacool of Mt. Vernon, Ind.
Funeral arrangemets will be announced by Bowe-Mathis Funeral Home pending the arrival of relatives.
newspaper source unknown, 1979
Biggs, Benjamin F.
A Patriarch PassesThe Venerable B.F. BIGGS Crossed the Threshold Saturday Morning
That splended gentleman, Mr. B.F. BIGGS, the Front Street undertaker and hardware dealer, is no more-a fact that will strike keen sorrow and regret to countless hearts, who had learned to esteem and venerate Mr. BIGGS, no less for his rollicking, jovial, good nature than for his sturdy, old school citizenship.
A week ago today the word passed out that Mr. BIGGS had that morning suffered an attack of illness that had left him unconscious, spent and in a critical condition. The relentless enemy that had found foothold in his system, euremic poisoning, waged an onslught that was beyond the sufferer's endurance, the skill of physicians and the virtue of medicine. He sank rapidly until the final summons came at 10:20 Saturday morning.
Mr. BIGGS was a native of Cape May County, N.J., born on the 9th day of December, 1833. He came to Pomeroy at the age of 24, or in the year 1857.
His first effort at enterprise was as contractor and builder, which he followed for thirty-seven years, and many of the buildings now standing in Pomeroy were built by him.
He later, many years ago, entered the business of undertaking, and, as a result of comprehensive ideas and intelligent enterprise, built up one of most conspicious business successes in the county, serving a 25 mile radius of country with funeral service of city like appointments. The reputation of the House of BIGGS is known in three counties. Of late years Mr. George RAPPOLD, a son-in-law has been identified with the business and it will go on without change under his management.
Mrs. BIGGS is in very feeble health and it is feared that she will not be long in following her life-long companion to the other world, due to illness and the shock of the loss of her husband, to whom she has for many hears been a faithful and loyal helpmate.
Mrs. BIGGS' maiden name was Anna Eliza RICHARDSON, of Mason City. Three children were the issue of their union. One daughter, Clara, died 31 years ago, at the age of 21 years. William H. BIGGS, their only son, died May 11, 1913. Ella, now Mrs. George RAPPOLD, is the only remaining child, and it has been her priviege to minister to her aged parents in the closing days of their lives.
The funeral service was held at the home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C.W. BRADY. The great number of people who called at the home to pay their last respects is an indication of the high regard in which Mr. BIGGS was held. On account of the rain the burial was postponed so that the remains might be laid to rest with the sun shining and the birds singing, the sad rites being carried out yesterday morning.
Thus has passed the last survivor of that quartette of kindred spirits, who in their lighter vein provided many a mirthful moment for the Meigs County reading public.
Here drop a tear and a flower for their memory, and utter a fond farewell to those grand old types, W. J. PRALL, D.C. WHALEY, S.A.M. MOORE and B.F. BIGGS-gone but not forgotten-may they rest in peace.
(Tribute-Telegraph Pomeroy, Ohio October 1, 1913 pg. 1 col. 4)
Biggs, Eliza Richardson
Mrs. B.F. Biggs
Widow of the Late B.F. BIGGS Passed Away Early Sunday Morning
Mrs. B.F. BIGGS passed to her eternal reward Sunday morning, Feb. 27, at her home, the B.F. BIGGS homestead, at 2:45 o'clock. Death was due to old age and a complication of diseases. Her age was supposed to be about 80 years. Owing to her aversion to giving her exact age her family is unable to name the date of her birth.
Mrs. BIGGS is survived by only one child, Mrs. Ella, wife of Undertaker George RAPPOLD. Two other children, Clara and William are deceased.
She also leaves one maiden sister, Mary RICHARDSON, who resides at Mason, W.Va., where Mrs. BIGGS was born and one brother Henry RICHARDSON whose residence is unknown.
Mrs. Biggs was a kind motherly woman, domestic in her habits. Her generous and kindly nature endeared her to everyone who enjoyed her acquaintance. Even when young and active she rarely went from her home.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. ROTHROCK of the Simpson M.E. church at the residence at two o'clock Tuesday and interment in Beech Grove cemetery by the B.F. Biggs Company.
Pomeroy Democrat March 2, 1916 pg. 1 col. 3)
Biggs, William
William BIGGS Succumbed to Stroke of Apoplexy Sunday Morning
Early sunday morning William BIGGS of Laurel Street, complained about feeling very badly and requested his wife to summon a physician. She went to a neighbor's telephone to do so. When she returned her husband had passed away, death being due to a stroke of apoplexy.
On Saturday Mr. BIGGS was about his usual duties at the Biggs Hardware store and apparently in his usual spirits and health which made his taking away the more a shock.
Deceased was 53 years of age, being the only son of Undertaker B.F. BIGGS and wife, who, with a sister, Mrs. George RAPPOLD and his wife survive. A sister passed away at the age of 21.
Mrs. BIGGS was Miss Mayme POWELL, whom he married Sept. 3, 1894.
Deceased was an active member of the local order of the Knights of Pythias under whose auspices the funeral was held yesterday afternoon, at Simpson M.E. Church, Rev. BRADY offering the funeral address. The remains were laid to rest in Beech Grove Cemetery.
(Pomeroy Ohio Tribune May 14, 1913 pg. 1 col. 6)
Blanton, Napoleon Bonaparte
Speeding Motor Car Kills Captain Blanton, Aged 84
Driver Gives Himself Up to the Police
Coroner is Investigating
Automobile Sped on After The Accident
Mr. Blanton Was Standing in the Street Waiting for a Street Car to Pass When He Was Struck.
Napoleon H. Blanton, 84 years old, father-in-law of L. A. Heckard, manager of the Metz Lumber Company, was struck by a speeding automobile northbound in front of the Dunn Mercantile Company, 724 North Main Street yesterday afternoon. He died two hours later at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Heckard, 832 North Waco Avenue, from concussion of the brain.
Chauncy Vawter, driver of the automobile, who resides at 138 North Market Street, is under arrest.
J. W. Bills, a pool hall proprietor, residing at 426 West Third Street, who was with Vawter in the automobile, is held by the police.
The accident occurred about ? o'clock.
Waiting for a Car to Pass.
Mr. Blanton had left the Dunn Mercantile store and was crossing the street. According to W. E. Ladd, of the Crescent Food Company, he was standing near the east street car tracks waiting for a southbound Main Street car to pass. It had stopped at Murdock Avenue to discharge passengers.
Car Was Going Fast.
"The automobile was coming at about forty-five miles an hour on the street car tracks," Mr. Ladd said to The Beacon today. "It looked looked to me as if the west wheels of the automobile were running in the center of the east tracks when the automobile reached the man. It swerved to the right then to get off of the street car tracks. The rear, right fender of the automobile, I think, struck the aged man, and I saw him thrown in the air, back and over the rear end of the automobile. A young man could not have got out of the way."
"The automobile was coming so fast the man could not have escaped, I did not hear a horn. R. C. Hildebrand and I ran out street to pick up the injured man. As we lifted him I looked north and saw the car nearly a block away and going at high speed. I did not see the men in the car look back.
What Mr. Hildebrand Says.
Mr. Hildebrand who is the proprietor of the Star Mill on North Main Street, substantiated Mr. Ladd's statement. He said: "The automobile was going at least 40 miles an hour and it looked to me as if the rear end of the car struck him as the car swerved."
Amos Grable, motorman on the street car, said: "My car was at Murdock Avenue and Mr. Blanton was in the street near the tracks opposite the Dunn Mercantile Company's store. Contrary to the statements of the morning paper, the automobile did not strike the man when the street car was beside him. When the automobile passed us at a high rate of speed I saw the body of the injured man laying on the tracks in front us us several yards."
Vawter Talks of Accident
Chauncey Vawter said this morning: "I was driving about twenty miles an hour when we hit Captain Blanton. Any person familiar with automobiles knows that a Ford is not capable of sixty miles an hour, as I was reported to have been going. Near Murdock Avenue I saw the old gentleman start across the street. He looked up and I thought he saw us coming. He stepped back as we were about even with him. Then he jumped forward and collided with the rear fender of my car. The fender was broken off."
Drove on to the Country.
"I was frightened by the accident and did not stop. I drove about six miles into the country and then came back to Wichita and gave myself up. I certainly am sorry, but I don't believe it was all my fault. No, I did not have a quart bottle of whisky in the seat with me as someone reported. I had no bottle with me at all, but had taken several drinks just before starting on the drive."
Jumped Out of the Car.
J. W. Bills, owner of a barber shop and pool hall at 224 North Main Street, made the following statement. He was riding in the car that killed Mr. Blanton: "Vawter came into my place in the afternoon and asked me to take a ride with him. I told him I couldn't be away more than ten minutes. I don't know how fast we were going when we hit Captain Blanton. After the accident I tried to get Vawter to stop, but he seemed scared and refused. Five blocks past the accident I jumped out while the car was going about ten miles an hour."
No liquor in the Car.
"So far as I know Vawter had no whisky with him. He had been drinking but did not appear drunk when he came to my place and invited me to ride with him. I couldn't say whether the whisky he had taken before had any effect on his driving."
Mr. Bills confirmed Vawter's version of the accident, declaring that Captain Blanton jumped against the rear fender of the machine after the riders thought they had safely passed him.
Arrested at 8:30 o'clock.
The injured man was taken to the Dunn store where physicians and L. A. Heckard were summoned. He was later hurried by Gill's ambulance to the Heckard residence where he did not regain consciousness.
Chief of Police Kensler started men immediately on the trail of the automobile, which drove north toward Valley Center at a high rate. ills left the automobile near he scene of the accident. He was arrested at 8:30 o'clock.
Vawter drove toward Valley Center until engine trouble compelled him to stop. According to Automobile Officer C. N. Tucker, he went to a farm house and telephoned to the woman in charge of the K. C. rooming house he owns at 138 North Market Street.
Mr. Burringer Saw Vawter.
"I've run over a man and I'm going to keep going." Office Tucker says Vawter told the woman. W. A. Burringer, a farmer residing five miles northwest of the city was on his way home from Wichita when Vawter drove up behind him. Mr. Burringer says Vawter called to him: "Want a drink of whiskey?"
Mr. Burringer declined and Vawter drove by him. He says Vawter appeared greatly excited and was unable to drive his car straight. Vawter then was having engine trouble. He turned back to Wichita before he reached Valley Center.
Came Back to the City.
While the police car, carrying four men, was on the trail of the fleeing motor car, Officer C. N. Tucker was preparing a net for Vawter at Wichita. The Vawter car had left Wichita at such a speed that only one man was able to see the number. He saw only that it began with 14[?]. Another man saw that the car was a Ford runabout. Another thought the driver was named Chance. Officer Tucker found that the owner of a Ford runabout, numbered 1460, was registered by Chauncy Vawter. He learned from Vawter's rooming house that Vawter was out in the car.
Advised Him to Surrender.
Tucker placed men to watch the rooming house. He found Vawter's brother and instructed him to warn Chauncey Vawter to give himself up; that an attempt to escape would be useless. When Vawter called at his rooming house his brother gave him this warning.
Vawter on his return to the city, dodged the police car by changing roads and he went to a garage on North Market street. Here he hid under a tarpaulin for an hour before he decided to give himself up. Then he summoned a cab, emptied his pockets of money and papers and went to the police station. The police say he had been drinking.
Getting a Jury and Witnesses.
The Vawter automobile was located in the garage on North Market Street. Its right rear fender is bent, presumably where it struck Mr. Blanton.
The inquest will be held at the courthouse tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Coroner M.M. McCollister today was issuing subpoenas.
Veteran of the Civil War
Captain N. B. Blanton came to Wichita three years ago from Sulphur Spring, Ok, to reside with his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Heckard. He was a member of the G.A.R., serving in the Tenth Kansas regiment during the Civil War. Captain Blanton was on post duty in Washington when Abraham Lincoln was shot. Mrs. Blanton, the deceased wife of the Captain, was at the opera when Lincoln was assassinated. Both were personal friends of the martyred President.
Six children survive Captain Blanton. They are Mrs. F. B. Streeter, wife of ex-Congressman Flynn, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Martin Savage, Blanco, Ok.; John Blanton, Hazelton, Kan.; Frank Blanton, Blanco Ok.; and Mrs. L. A. Heckard.
The funeral will be held from the Heckard residence, 829 North Waco Avenue, at 4 o'clock Thursday. Dr. W. S. Priest, of the Central Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Wichita Beacon, April 30, 1913 pg. 1,3.
Obituary No. 2
Speeding Auto Kills an Aged War Veteran
Capt. Napoleon Blanton, aged 84, Father of Mrs. L.A. Heckard, This City, and Mrs. Dennis Flynn, Oklahoma City, Run Down by Autoists who Keep on Going But Later Give Up.
Captain Napoleon B. Blanton, aged 84, father of Mrs. L. A. Heckard, 829 North Waco Avenue and Mrs. Dennis T. Flynn of Oklahoma City, was run down by an automobile at Murdock avenue and Main street yesterday afternoon at 3:30 and received injuries which caused his death at 6:00 0'clock last evening. The machine which struck him was said to have been traveling at a high rate of speed. It contained two men. Persons who saw the accident report that the auto did not stop but that the driver increased the speed of his car immediately after striking the aged war veteran.
Two Men Held
Two men giving their names as Chauncy Vawter and J. W. Bills, are held at the city jail. Vawter told a reported for the Eagle that he drove the automobile which struck Capt. Blanton. He said that it was an accident which he could not prevent.
The death of Capt. Blanton occurred at the home of Mrs. Heckard, whose husband, an official of the Metz Lumber Company, reached the scene of the accident shortly after it happened.
Waited on Street Car
Persons who saw the accident report that Capt. Blanton had started to cross Main street and had hesitated near the center out wait until a south bound stock yards street car passed. The automobile, going north, swerved from the car tracks to get out of the way of the street car and struck the aged veteran. The auto passed within a few feet of the street car so passengers on it report.
Started Across Street.
Captain Blanton had stepped off the sidewalk and started to cross the street. A street car was going south. As he stopped for the car to pass, the automobile struck him, hurling him to the ground, his head striking the rail of the car track. Persons who saw the accident hastened to the assistance of the injured man. They carried him into the Dunn Mercantile company's store and Mr. Heckard, who is manager of the Metz Lumber company, a few blocks south, was called. Drs. J. E. Oldham and J. L. Evans were summoned. Capt. Blanton later was taken to the Heckard home, about two blocks away.
Pronounced Injuries Fatal
Dr. Oldham dressed the wounds of Captain Blanton, and reported that he would die in a few hours of concussion of the brain. Captain Blanton was very feeble before he was struck and the physician said he could not have survived the shock even if his wounds had been slight.
Knew Lincoln
Captain Blanton served in the Tenth Kansas regiment during the Civil war and was a member of the G.A.R. When Abraham Lincoln was shot, Captain Blanton was on duty at the regimental post in Washington. He was a personal friend and associate of the martyred president. Mrs. Blanton, the wife of the captain, who died in Wichita five years ago, was at the opera when Lincoln was shot.
Captain Blanton made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Heckard. When the accident happened, he was returning from the barber shop, where he had been for a shave. It was his intention to visit his son, John Blanton, of Hazelton, Kan., last night.
Mrs. Heckard and Mrs. R. C. Maxwell, of 803 North Lawrence avenue, were preparing for a series of parties at the Heckard home today, Thursday, and Friday, but they will be postponed indefinitely.
Great-Grandmother in Fire.
The baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Pickrel, Barbara, who was in the fire of the old Crawford theater which burned the morning of April 1, was a great-granddaughter of Captain Blanton. The baby is also a great-great-grandchild, as the mother of Captain Blanton's wife, Eliza Godfrey, is still living.
Is Mrs. Flynn's Father.
The children of Captain Blanton are Mrs. F. B. Streeter, of Wichita; Mrs. Dennis T. Flynn, wife of ex-Congressman Flynn of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Martin Savage of Blanco, Okla; John Blanton of Hazelton, Kan.; Frank Blanton of Blanco, Okla.; and Mrs. Lester A. Heckard of Wichita.
Funeral Thursday
The funeral will be held from the resident Thursday morning. The hour has not been set.
(the rest of the article describes the eyewitness accounts of the accident, but does not add anything that the other obituary printed.)
Wichita Eagle, April 30, 1913 p. 5
Blanton, Harriet Godfrey
Mrs. N. B. Blanton Dead.
Mrs. N. B. Blanton, who has been seriously ill at the home of her daughter L. A. Hackard, of 1452 Waco avenue passed away at 9:45 0'clock last night. All the members of her family were present with her at the time of her death.
Mrs. Blanton resided at Sulphur Springs, Okla. and came to visit her daughter several weeks ago. She has been ill at her daughter's home for the past three or four weeks. Funeral arrangements will be made later.
In addition, Mrs. Blanton is survived by her husband, three sons, Todd Blanton, Frank Blanton, John Blanton, and four daughters, Mrs. S. B. Broll, Mrs. H. G. Julian, Mrs. Dennis T. Flynn and Mrs. L. A. Heckard.
Wichita Eagle, November 30, 1907, page 5
Obituary 2
Mrs. N. B. Blanton is Dead
Funeral Services Will be Held Monday Morning.
Mrs. N.B. Blanton died last night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. A. Heckard, after a lingering illness. The deceased leaves a husband, N. B. Blanton, five daughters and three sons-N. B. Blanton Jr., and Mrs. H. E. Julian of Lawton, Ok; Frank Blanton and Mrs. D. B. Crowell of Edwards, Ok.; John Blanton, who resides at Chattanooga, Ok; Mrs. Fannie B. Streetor of Sulphur Springs, Ok., Mrs. D. T. Flynn of Oklahoma City and Mrs. L. A. Heckard of this city.
Funeral services will be held from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Heckard, 1452 Waco avenue, at 10 o'clock Monday morning.
Wichita Daily Beacon, November 30, 1907 p. 1
Bonenberger, George
Bonenberger- on Wednesday, July 28, 1999, George J. Bonenberger, in his 78th year. Loving husband of Ida Mae Richardson Bonenberger.
Friends received 7-9 p.m. today, and from 10 a.m. Friday, until 2 p.m. service at Kepner Funeral Home, 38th and Jacob St., Wheeling. interment in Mount Zion Cemetery, Wheeling, with the Rev. Jamie Authier officiating. Memorial contributions may be are to Christ Lutheran Church, 2 Richmond Ave., Wheeling 26003
Arrangements are pending at Kepner Funeral Home, 36th and Jacob st., Wheeling.
News-Register, Wheeling, July 29, 1999
Bonenberger, Ida Mae Richardson
Bonenberger, Ida Mae Richardson, 85, of Smithsburg, Md., formerly of Wheeling, W.Va., died Thursday, December 8, 2005 in Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, MD.She was born November 16, 1920 in Wheeling. Mrs. Bonenberger was retired from Washington County Schools Cafeteria; and a Lutheran by faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Joseph Bonenberger; a son, Gregory Bonenberger; two sisters, Sall Givens and Ruth Ann Shaw; and a brother, Carter Richardson.
Surviving are two sons, Dolf Bonenberger and his wife, De, of Springville, N.Y., and Timothy Bonenberger and his wife, Connie, of Hagerstown, Md.; a daughter, Sally Lefferts of Smithsburg, Md.; three sisters, Mary Schubert, Nancy Mirich and her husband, Pete, and Myra Brasch, all of Wheeling; a brother Dolf Richardson and his wife, Judy, of Wheeling; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received at the Kepner Funeral Home, 36th and Jacob Street, South Wheeling, Monday, December 12, 2005 from 6-8 pm.
Family will the receive friends on Tuesday from 9:30 am until time of service at 11 am at Christ Lutheran Church, Mozart, Wheeling with Reverend William Kurz officiating.
Interment in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Wheeling. Personal condolences may be made to the family at www. kepnerfuneral.com
Intelligencer/Wheeling News Register, December 11, 2005