Piper, Benjamin (____-1896)

Date of Death: 20 Feb 1896
Subject: Benjamin B. Piper
Source: unknown, Feb 1896

After a long and painful illness of two months, Benj. B. Piper departed this life on February 20, 1896, at three o’clock P.M. Deceased was 63 years of age and was born in Scott County, Illinois. He was a son of John and Julia A. Piper and one of ten children of whom six are living, three brothers and three sisters.

Deceased was married to Nancy J. Jenkins in October 24, 1866, and was the father of eight children. Two of them died eight or nine years ago. He leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters to mourn. He, with his parents moved to Andrew County on March 17, 1891 [sic]. His father died a year or two later and the cares of the family fell on Benjamine. During January 1861 he professed a hope in Christ and united with Bethel Baptist Church. He tried to live a consistent Christian from that time until his death. At the breaking out of the Civil War he cast his lot with the Confederacy, enlisted with Patton’s camp, and served through the War. Was in 13 battles, and never received a wound and was one of the last to surrender. On his way home the boat on which he took his passage, sunk in the Red River, near Shrevesport, LA. Although many were drowned he escaped. He died on the place his father had preempted in 1841. He was a good neighbor, a good citizen and always ready to lend a helping hand to the sick. The funeral services were held by Rev. J. B. Kearby of Savannah, who preached a very able sermon after which the remains were interred in Bethel Cemetery in the presence of many friends.

J. P. Tate