B. BENEDICT

B. Benedict, one of the old and respected California pioneers, was born in Vermont, December 1, 1825, the fifth in a family of six children, and the only surviving member.  He was reared in Addison until six years of age.  His early life was devoted to farming.  His parents were Jonas and Soloma S. (Towner) Benedict.  The parents were natives of New York State, both being of English extraction.  When our subject was quite young the family removed to Essex county, New York, where they resided until death.  The father passed away in 1853, the mother having died twelve years before.

     Mr. Benedict came to California in 1852, and two years later located on Bay Farm Island, Alameda county, where he has since resided.  His home property consists of thirty-five acres, most of which has been rented out for many years, and is devoted to the raising of vegetables.  Asparagus, being the principal production, finds ready sale in the San Francisco markets.  He is also the owner of valuable ranch property in Shasta county, devoted to stock-raising, and also of city property in Alameda.

     Politically he is a staunch Republican, imbued with the old Whig principles.  He takes an active interest in educational matters, and all public enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of the county.

     He was joined in marriage at Alameda, February 19, 1857, with Mrs. Persis A. Hamlin, nee Cleveland, who has two children by former marriage, namely:  Amelia and Adrian R. Hamlin.

     Mr. Benedict came to California by water, having sailed around Cape Horn in the bark Southerner.  He has been engaged in hop-raising in Alameda county some twenty years, and by perseverance and hard work has met with good success financially, and has accumulated a competency which renders him independent.  He and his estimable wife are now spending the evening of life in their happy home on the island.

 

Transcribed 10-22-04  Marilyn R. Pankey