Father of Jennie Maude Hivley Coolman
and Malinda "Linnie" Hivley Ramsey

Obituary of Benjamin Hively

Benjamin Hively Suddenly Called
Stricken with Appoplexy Saturday Evening

Had been to the City During the Day and Was Sitting in a Chair Talking to his Wife.

The many relatives and acquaintances of Benjamin Hively, one of the prominent and well known farmers of Thorncreek township, were shocked to learn of his death which took place Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. He had spent a part of the day in this city and was seated in the house talking to his wife when he was stricken with appoplexy. Mrs. Hively noticed his head drop forward and that he had ceased to speak, and going to his side discovered that he was very ill and apparently unconcious. She called Orin Daly who resided across the road, and after he arrived, the stricken man only breathed a time or two. He died sitting in a chair.

While he had not been feeling the best for a few days prior to his death, he was not sick, and for that reason his death was not expected and came without warning. Dr. Schuman was called and made the trip to the home, but there was nothing he could do for the stricken one.

Mr. Hively was the ninth death in the family in the last ten and a half months, and all but one of them were men and women well advanced in years. It is doubtful if there ever was a greater number of deaths in this county in one family in so short a time.

The first death was of Mrs. David Ramsey, a sister-in-law, April 15, 1911, at Churubusco, aged 12 years. The second was that of John Hanson, a brother-in-law, May 28, 1911, aged 70. The third was Solomon Hively, a brother, on the 9th of June, 1911, aged 66 years.

The forth was Mrs. Belle Hively, August 26th, 1911, a sister-in-law, aged 69. The fifth was Mrs. Isaac Judd, a sister-in-law, September 1911, aged 63. The sixth was Mrs. Mary Anspaugh, sister, who died near Clear Lake, Indiana, November 7th, 1911, aged 86 years.

The seventh was Solomon Miller, his father-in-law and the father of Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Judd, who died January 20, 1912, aged 89 years. The eighth was the four months old baby boy of Clarence Judd, a nephew of the deceased. The ninth was Benjamn Hively, subject of this sketch , who died March 2, 1912, aged 72.

This is a most remarkable record of mortality and it has been a year of mourning for the many families that are bound together by the ties of blood and marriage.

Benjamin Hively was born in Thorncreek township, January 27th 1840, and was 72 years one month and 5 days of age. He was the 9th child in the Daniel Hively family.

He [Daniel Hively, Benjamin's father] and six other men came to the township in 1836 from Ohio, all of them married, and they all settled in Thorncreek township. The others were Jacob Shearer, Peter Shriner, Jacob Hively, and Adam Henry, and John Egolf. Benjamin Hively's entire life was spent in Thornvreek township. On the 24th day of March, 1861, he was united in marriage to Lucinda Miller, daughter of the late Solomon Miller. To them three children were born, only one of whom, Mrs. Will Coolman, of Thorncreek township, survives, Mrs. Charles Ramsey dying at the age of 36 [sic; actually 39] and the boy [sic; daughter] when a small lad. In addition to the daughter he is survived by his wife and two brothers and four sisters. Daniel Hively east of the city, and Isaac, of Thorncreek township, Mrs. Catharine Miller, of Thorncreek township, Mrs. Elizabeth Hyre, of this city, Mrs Mahala Bashford, of Boyd, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Sarah Lindley of St. Joe, Missouri.

Benjamin Hively, like all members of the family was a man of high character and leaves an honored name behind him. He was esteemed and respected by all who knew him and his integrity was never questioned. He was a good citizen, a kind father and devoted husband, and his death is sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and