Benjamin Booth was born in Potter County, Pa., June 11, 1837, and died at his home in Hammond, La., April 14, 1923, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
The years of his childhood were spent in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Here undoubtedly began a religious experience which continued with him through life. It is believed that he must have connected himself, in those days, by baptism, with one of the Hebron churches. In this period of his life he saw a few months' Civil War service, just previous to the close of the war. Here on December 3, 1863, he was married to Mary Elizabeth Greene, and here his eldest child was born, William Henry Booth.
About the year 1866 the family moved to Farina, Ill., where Edna Cordelia, now Mrs. T. M. Campbell, his second eldest child, was born. Here Mr. and Mrs. Booth became constituent members at the organization of the Farina Seventh Day Baptist Church, residing opposite the edifice and taking continuous interest in its affairs. In Farina, Mr. Booth Practiced the trade of carpentering.
In 1877 the family moved to Nortonville, Kan. A farm was purchased there, which became their home, a short distance southwest of the "Seventh Day Baptist Lane." Here was born Elnoe J., the youngest child of the family. Here, too, their mother died, in 1884, and was buried in the Nortonville cemetery. On December 25, 1885, Mr. Booth was married the second time, to Ann Adelia Hull, nee Potter.
In 1887 the family came to Hammond, La., arriving on New Year's Day. At that time Hammond was in its infancy as a community. Mr. Booth bought a small tract of woodland for a truck farm, cleared it, and with his own hands built him a home and outbuildings. Afterwards he built more centrally in the town.
Here, as in Farina, Mr. and Mrs. Booth became constituent members of the Hammond seventh Day Baptist Church, he working with his own hands in helping to construct the present commodious edifice. Of this church Mr. Booth was always a faithful member. Until the infirmities of age prevented, he was always to be found in his place at church.
A valuable member of the community, a man of high principle, and beloved by all, has gone to his eternal reward.
The funeral was on Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m., at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. T. M. Campbell, conducted by his pastor, and was largely attended. The body lies at rest in the beautiful Hammond cemetery between the graves of his devoted wife and eldest son. S. S. P.
