Commonly known as "B. E." Binns.
----------------------------
Son of Joseph P. Binns [Sr.],
and his wife Anne Dixon.
-----------------------------
Captain Benjamin E. Binns served
in the Civil War, in Company C,
of the 12th Michigan Infantry.
He served for 3 years, and 6 months.
He was wounded during battle
of Pittsburg Landing.
------------------------------
Benjamin was married to
Juliette (Julia) E. Day, on
Aug. 13, 1851, in
Berrien County Michigan.
Julia is the daughter of
Andrew Craig Day and his wife
Betsy M. Spoor, who were very prominent
citizens of Buchanan, during most
of Buchanan's first 50 years, and
gave their name to Days Avenue.
------------------------------
Benjamin served as a Trustee of
Buchanan from 1869 to 1872, and
was a member of the Common Council
from 1873 to 1877.
------------------------------
Benjamin owned a dry goods and
groceries store (Binns and Rose),
on Front Street, in Buchanan, MI
in partnership with O. W. Rose
(Orange Willis Rose, listed on
headstone as "Willis Rose").
(Benjamin's father Joseph P. Binns Sr.
died on May 4, 1877 in Buchanan, MI).
In 1877 Benjamin sold out and moved
to Sedan, Chautauqua County Kansas
(along with his brother Zebulon,
who had been living in Minnesota).
---------------------------
The 1880 census of Sedan,
Chautauqua County Kansas lists:
Benjamin E. Binns, age 50,
his wife Julia E., age 46,
his son Andrew, age 11,
his brother Zebulon, age 46,
his daughter
Nannie L. Benner, age 16,
and Nannie's husband
Frank G. Benner, age 21.
------------------------------
The following is from:
"History of The State of Kansas"
by William G. Cutler,
(Chautauqua County, Sedan, Part 2,
Biographical Sketches) ---
Benjamin E. Binns.
Captain Benjamin E. Binns, merchant,
was born in Yorkshire, England,
in 1829 [1830 per headstone].
Emigrated to America in 1844
locating in Madison Co. N.Y.
in 1846 he removed to Michigan,
locating at Niles, and engaged in
cabinet making. The following year
located at Buchanan and continued
in the same business for a number
of years. October 14, 1861,
[he enlisted in the] Twelfth
Michigan Infantry and received a
commission as Second Lieutenant
of Co. C. In 1862, October 10, was
promoted, receiving a Captain's
commission, serving in all, three
years and six months. He was wounded
during the battle of Pittsburg Landing.
After returning from the army, he
engaged in the mercantile business
in Buchanan, Mich., and in 1877
sold out and emigrated to Kansas,
locating at Sedan, Chautauqua County.
Soon after he came here, he located
a claim on Section 27, Township 33,
Range 11, of 160 acres, one mile from
the city of Sedan, and for one year
was engaged in improving his place.
Erecting a large house, he broke thirty
acres and planted an orchard, and made
many other improvements. The place is
well situated and is watered by a fine
spring. The 1st year he began the stock
business with one cow and a calf, and
at present has seventy-five head of
cattle, and six horses. Also owns a
farm of 160 acres, on Section 36,
same township. In 1878, he engaged
in the mercantile business and
has doubled his business the last
two years. Mr. Binns is one of the
best business men in the city, and
has made some extensive improvements
to the county since he came here.
Binns Brothers has put up the largest
building in Sedan, a stone store 24x80,
two stories. He is also in company with
Mr. Bennett, of Chautauqua Springs,
engaged in the mercantile business.
They also own forty acres on the town
site, which they have laid out into
lots, and are doing considerable business
in city lots at the place.
In 1851, he was married to Miss
Julia E. Day, of Buchanan, Mich.
They have two children -
Nancy [Nannie] C. and Andrew F.
Mr. B. is a member of Stone River
Post, No. 74, G. A. R.; Buchanan Lodge,
No. 68, A.F. & A.M.; and I.O.O.F.,
No. 141, Sedan and Verdigris Encampment,
22, I.O.O.F.
-----------------------------------
In the 1890 census, Benjamin, age 61,
and his wife Julia, age 52, and their
son Andrew, age 22, are living in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County
Oklahoma. This census also states
that Benjamin had been living in the
United States for 46 years
(since 1844).
-------------------------------
Benjamin died April 29, 1900.
--------------------------------
In the 1900 census, Benjamin's wife
Julia (born 1833 in New York),
is listed as a widow, and still
living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
---------------------------------
Buried with Benjamin in
Section 15, Lot # 15, are: his wife
Julia (Day) Binns (1833-1909),
with their young children:
Joseph D. Binns (1852-1862), and
Charlie S. Binns (1855-1856).
(See very bottom of headstone).
----------------------------
Children of Benjamin and Julia are:
---
1. Charlie Spoor Binns (1852-1862).
---
2. Joseph Dixon Binns (1855-1856).
---
3. Nannie (Nancy) C. Binns,
born 1864, in Michigan.
She was married to Frank G. Brenner
at the time of the 1880 census.
She was married to George F. Benner,
on April 15, 1889, in Kansas.
She later married a Mr. Hickey.
She died in Los Angeles, California.
---
4. Andrew ("Andy") Frank Binns.
b. Aug. 1868, in Michigan.
m. Cora E. Higbie (in Oklahoma?).
Cora was born Aug. 16, 1872, in
Centralia, Illinois, the daughter
of James Higbie and Catherine Miller
(who were married on March 21, 1869,
in Hancock County Illinois).
Cora died on March 10, 1934, in
St. Anthony Hospital, Rock Island,
Rock Island County Illinois, near their
daughter Nina D. (Mrs. Truman Plantz).
Andrew was a master plumber for 33 years.
He was also for a time, a deputy
United States Marshall.
During the war he served on the council
of defense. He was leader of the rifle
squad during the Oklahoma City street
car strike, and was for years a familiar
figure in civic enterprises of all kinds
(per his obituary).
d. Aug. 27, 1928, age 60,
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County
Oklahoma. His funeral was held
at the Masonic Temple.
Buried: Fairlawn Cemetery,
Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma County Oklahoma.
___________________________________

Benjamin's wife Julia's parents, and
her sister Mary (Day) Matthews, and
Mary's husband James M. Mathews
(the first President of the
Village of Buchanan), are
also buried in this lot, which
is very near the main Front Street
entrance to the cemetery.
--------------------------
Benjamin's father Joseph P. Binns Sr.
is buried in Section 5. lot 16,
with his son
Joseph Phinehus Binns Jr.
-------------------------------