Biography of: Elijah W. Benson McCracken County, Kentucky Source; Biographical Sketches from, "Kentucky, History of the State" Main Author; William Henry Perrin 1887 **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. Submitted by: Vera Burnham vburnham@metrocast.net Date: August 9, 2002 **************************************************************************** Elijah W. Benson, McCracken County (deceased) was well known in McCracken County as a Baptist minister of great zeal and piety. He was born in Robertson County, Tenn., October 17, 1823, and received his early education at Lebanon and Murfreesboro. He taught school for a while but soon gave his attention to religious subjects, and during the balance of his life, had pastoral charge of various churchs in several States. He came to McCracken County in 1860, and thereafter devoted his time to the labors of the ministry and also to farming. He had been in feeble health for some years, yet his great energy continued undiminished, and gave success to his every effort. He was firm in his beliefs, yet of a very winning disposition, and his death was a severe loss to the community, in which he had faithfully labored for many years. He filled the moderator's chair and for many years was clerk of the West Union Association. The parents of Mr. Benson were John and Jane (Sayle) Benson. The father was a merchant and farmer and served in the war of 1812. To the parents were born thirteen children, three of whom are now living: Agnes, E.H. and Gaylon. Our subject married Miss Gillie S.A. Boldry, who now survives him. She is a daughter of W.S. and Jane (Hampton) Boldry, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The union has been blessed with seven children, of whom five are living: Mrs. M.E. Hart, Sudora M., Eddie W., Algernon S. and Lelia I.