John Smedley Benedict
Family reference: 352.254.1
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Born | abt. 1859 | Wallaceburg, Chatham Twp., Ontario |
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Married | 21 January 1876 | Catherine Benedict at Wallaceburg |
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Died | 29 Dec 1927 | Wallaceburg, Chatham Twp., Ontario |
– Family album of photos and documents.
Parents:
- Father: Smedley John Benedict; 1831 – 1909
- Mother: Harriet Dustin
Children:
- Minnie Beatrice Benedict; b. 31 March 1876
- Peter George Benedict; 1877 – 1948
- John Edward Benedict; b. 17 Nov 1883
- John Archibald Benedict?; b.
- Harvey Benedict?; b.
- Charles Wesley Benedict; b. 24 Oct 1889; d. April 13, 1890 of Croup.
The Parents of John Benedict
John’s Early Years
John was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario, where he finally retired and died. He attended school in Chatham. He was a member of the Sydenham Valley Lodge No. 120 for 35 years. Working first as a deckhand and then moving up to captain, he was on tugboats, Great Lakes carriers and ferries for most of his life. His last position was Captain of the passenger ferry from downtown Toronto to Toronto Island.
John and Catherine
Catherine was the third child of Caleb Benedict and was also a first cousin to John. She was from the Owen Sound area on the Georgian Bay and they married in Chatham in 1876. He was 16 at that time and she was 20, although the marriage register shows both of them as 19 years of age. Their first child, Minnie, was born two months later.
John and Catherine lived in Toronto for some time while he ran the local island ferry. But They started at and then retired in Wallaceburg. Their final years were at a house on Poat Street.%CITE{1002}%
Catherine was a member of the Trinity United Church in Wallaceburg and was a life member of the Women’s Association. Rev. D. W. Williams officiated at her funeral. Hymn “Abide with Me” was sung. Interment took place in the Wallaceburg Cemetery.
The Final Years for John
CAPT. JOHN S. BENEDICT (Special to the news) WALLACEBURG, Dec. 29. — Captain John Smedley Benedict died this morning at his home William street [Poat Street intersects with William Street at the house – j.b.]. He was for many years a revered and highly esteemed resident of the town. He had been ailing for some years, but he was not thought seriously ill until last October. The deceased was born on East Branch, Wallaceburg, 68 years ago, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Benedict.
By occupation Mr. Benedict was a lake captain and sailed many boats plying out of Toronto and Wallaceburg.
For over thirty-five years the deceased has been a member of Sydenham Valley lodge, No. 120, I.O.O.F. of which he was a Past Grand and a Jewel member. In faith he was a member of Trinity United church.
Surviving are his widow, 2 sons George Peter of Calgary and John of Los Angeles, and daughter Mrs. Archie Campbell of the Syne near Wallaceburg, one sister, Mrs. George Price of Treheran, Manitoba and Caleb Benedict of Kingsville.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at one o’clock from the family residence William Street by Rev. J. H. Johnston and will be under the auspices of Sydenham Valley lodge. Inerment will be in the Wallaceburg cemetery.
-Obituary, Chatham Daily News newspaper, Thursday, Dec. 29, 1927, p.1
CAPT. BENEDICT LAID TO REST
The funeral took place last Sunday of the late Capt. S. Benedict from his late residence, William St., and was conducted under the auspices of the Sydenham Valley Lodge No. 120 I.O.O.F. of which he had been a member for about 35 years. Rev. J. H. Johnston, Trinity United Church officiated, assisted by Rev. D. J. Lane, of Knox Presbyterian Church. During the impressive service the Trinity United Church Choire sang “Abide With Me” one of the deceased’s favourite hymns. There were a large number of beautiful floral tributes testifying to the high esteem in which the deceased was held by all those who knew him. The interment took place in Wallaceburg Cemetery. The pallbearers were Wm. Biden, J. Farwell, J. Comer, E. dradere, J. Lalonde, and Jerome Thompson.
Out of town relatives who attended were Mrs. Lucella Benedict and son Joseph, Mr. and Mrs. W. Burke, Miss Eva Dusten, Mrs. J. E. Benedict of Detroit, Miss Irene Campbell of Cairo, Mich., Russell Dusten of Dresden, George Benedict of Toronto, and Caleb Benedict, Thamesville.
[ NOTE: the “George Benedict of Toronto” is a mystery….]
-Notice, The Wallaceburg News, Thursday, 5 January 1928