Death of Benjamin McKenzie

On Thanksgiving evening, at his
residence in Spencer Brook,
Isanti county, Benjamin McKenzie quietly
passed away. Several years ago he
suffered from a paralytic stroke, but
he rallied and although he had
occasional spells of sickness his health
was fairly good for a man of his
advanced years. On Thanksgiving day
he, in company with his son, James,
and family, had been invited to eat
dinner at Mr. H. W. Prescott's, a near
neighbor, but he complained of not
feeling just right and concluded to
remain at home but insisted upon the
others going. About 11:30 a. m.,
shortly after James and his wife and
little daughter had left,
neighbors passing heard Mr. McKenzie calling
and upon entering found him lying on
the floor with the telephone receiver
in his hand. He told the neighbors
to notify his son at Mr. Prescott's
and to call up R. C. Dunn and have
him get Dr. Cooney. As fast as S.
S. Petterson's automobile could carry
him Dr. Cooney was at the sick man's
bedside. But a glance convinced the
doctor that the sturdy old veteran had
had another paralytic stroke and that
his hours were numbered. He lingered in a comatose condition until 7 p. m.,
when the end came.

The funeral, which was held from
the house on Saturday afternoon, was
largely attended; all the old settlers
for miles around came to pay their
last tribute of respect to the memory
of the hardy old pioneer. Rev. Mr.
Roper, pastor of the Spencer Brook
M. E. church, conducted the services;
his remarks were brief but appro-
priate. Several hymns were sung by
a choir of Wyanett and Spencer Brook ladies.
The casket was draped with the national flag and the floral offerings were beautiful and
profuse. The remains were interred
in the little Clough burying ground
alongside those of his wife who had
preceded him 22 years before.
Benjamin McKenzie was of Scotch
descent and was born at New Glasgow,
Nova Scotia, August 22, 1829.
He made a visit of several weeks
duration to his old home last summer.
He came west in 1854 and settled
in Spencer Brook the same year.
He was one of the pioneers of
the town and selected a splendid piece
of land upon which he continuously
resided until the day of his death.
His farm is considered one of the best
in Isanti county. In 1859 he was
married to Miss Roxa Clapp, daughter
of the late Mrs. E. G. Clough.
Mrs. McKenzie died in 1887,
but the four children—James O.,
Mrs. R. C. Dunn, Mrs. Jennie Stark
and Mrs. Grace Babb—are all alive
and were present at their father's
deathbed. Mr. McKenzie volunteered
in 1862 and enlisted in Co. A,
Eighth Minn. Inf.; was mustered in
August 13, 1862, and was mustered
out July 11, 1865. All his old com-
rades vouch for it that he was a brave
soldier, one who never flinched in the
face of danger. He has served
numerous terms as town supervisor
and also as a member of the board of
county commissioners. Mr. McKenzie
was always a hard worker. He was
a man of fine physique and until a few
years ago he never knew what it was
to be in ill health. He was a well-
informed man and was noted for his
rugged independence and bluntness
of speech. He hated shams and hypocrites
He had many excellent traits of character
and his heart was in the right
place: The last words he
ever uttered were to Mr. H. W. Prescott-
"Horace, you have been a good
neighbor; they have all been good to me".

Princeton UNION December 2, 1909