Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin 1a 2a 3a 4 5a 6a

Birth Name Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
Birth Name Silknitter, Benjamin F 4
Birth Name Silknitter, Benj 2a
Birth Name Silknitter, B F 1a
Birth Name Silknitter, Franklin 3a
Gender male
Age at Death 79 years, 9 months, 17 days

Events

Event Date Place Description Notes Sources
Birth 1845-03-15 Indiana, United States Birth of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
5a
Census 1856 Center, Appanoose, Iowa, United States Census of Silknitter, Mary Jane

Age: 11

Sex: Male

Years residence in the State: 5

In what State, or Foreign Country, born: Indiana

1a
Census 1860-06-01 Bellair Township, Appanoose, Iowa, United States Census of Silknitter, Mary Jane

Age: 15

Sex: Male

Place of birth: Indiana

2a
Census 1870-06-01 Bellair Township, Appanoose, Iowa, United States Census of Silknitter, Sylvenia Lovina

Age: 25

Sex: Male

Color: White

Occupation: Farmer

Place of birth: Indiana

Male citizen 21 and over: Checked

3a
Marriage (Groom) 1877-09-00   Marriage of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin and Bell, Sarah Elizabeth
5a
Residence 1899 Centerville, Center Township, Appanoose, Iowa, United States Residence of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
4
Death 1925   Death of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
6a
Burial 1925 Oakland Cemetery Burial of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
6a

Parents

Relation to main person Name Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Silknitter, Solomon
Mother Carter, Catharine
         Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
    Brother     Silknitter, Solomon Landis
    Sister     Silknitter, Chloe M

Families

Married Wife Bell, Sarah Elizabeth
   
Event Date Place Description Notes Sources
Marriage 1877-09-00   Marriage of Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin and Bell, Sarah Elizabeth
5a
  Children
  1. Silknitter, Robert M
  2. Silknitter, Jennie B
  3. Silknitter, George Franklin
  4. Silknitter, Roscoe C
  5. Silknitter, Richard Oliver

Pedigree

  1. Silknitter, Solomon
    1. Carter, Catharine
      1. Silknitter, Benjamin Franklin
        1. Bell, Sarah Elizabeth
          1. Silknitter, Jennie B
          2. Silknitter, George Franklin
          3. Silknitter, Robert M
          4. Silknitter, Roscoe C
          5. Silknitter, Richard Oliver
      2. Silknitter, Solomon Landis
      3. Silknitter, Chloe M

Ancestors

Source References

  1. 1856 Iowa State Census
      • Date: 1856
  2. 1860 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1860-06-01
      • Page: Roll: M653_311; Page: 424; Image: 38, 39; Family History Library Film: 803311
  3. 1870 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1870-06-01
      • Page: Roll: M593_375; Page: 354B; Image: 12; Family History Library Film: 545874
  4. Obituary for Catherine (Carter) Silknitter
  5. Past and Present of Appanoose County Iowa
      • Date: 1913
      • Page: Volume 2, Pages 335-337
      • Citation:

        BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SILKNITTER

        Benjamin Franklin Silknitter has made a creditable record as an official and business man. He is not engaged in handling live stock and is the owner of valuable farming property near Centerville. At different times he has put aside business cares to perform the duties of office and in other connections has proved faithful and loyal to the trust reposed in him. He was born in Indiana, March 15, 1845, and is a son of Solomon and Catherine (Carter) Silknitter, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. In the year 1850 Solomon Silknitter came to Appanoose county which was still a frontier district in which the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and he entered one hundred and sixty acres to which he afterward added from time to time until his holdings embraced six hundred acres. After obtaining his original claim, he at once began to clear and cultivate it and devoted his remaining days to his agricultural pursuits. He died in March, 1865, which his wife passed away in 1897.

        Benjamin Franklin Silknitter was a lad of but five years when brought by his parents to Iowa, and was reared upon the home farm in Appanoose county, while the public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. After his text-books were put aside he devoted his entire time to the farm until elected to the office of sheriff in 1876. He filled that position for three terms, his reelection being incontrovertible proof of the confidence reposed in his ability and faithfulness. On his retirement from office he turned his attention to the coal trade and operated a mine at Brazil and another at Mystic for a number of years, or until 1894, when he was again elected sheriff, serving for one term. He has since been engaged in the live-stock business, handling a large number of cattle each year. His property holdings embrace a farm of four hundred and ten acres west of the town on which his son resides, while Mr. Silknitter makes his home in the city where he also owns considerable property. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion, for his energy and industry enable him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and gradually advance him to the goal of prosperity.

        In September, 1877, Mr. Silknitter was married to Miss Sallie Bell, a daughter of David and Nancy Bell. Her father was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit in Centerille for many years, and later retired, continuing, however, to make his home in the city to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Silknitter became the parents of five children: Jennie, the wife of H. S. Phillips, of Texas; George F., who is employed by the Union Meat Company at Portland, Oregon; Robert M., employed by the Crane & Company, also of Portland, Oregon; Roscoe C., residing on his father's farm; and Richard, also making his home in Portland, Oregon. The wife and mother passed away in February, 1909, after a short illness, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends who entertained for her warm regard.

        In the life record of Mr. Silknitter is a creditable military chapter. On the 5th of May, 1864, when he was but nineteen years of age, he offered his services to the country for one hundred days, enlisting as a member of Company B, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he has ever been loyal to his professions. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and in addition to serving as sheriff he has been chief of police of Centerville and a member of the town council. The Masonic fraternity finds him an exemplary ember and a well-spent life has gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated. For more than six decades he has lived in this county and has been an interested witness of its growth and development. he has cooperated in many movements relating to the general welfare and his influence has ever been on the side of right, justice and progress.

  6. Oakland Cemetery
      • Page: Gravestone for Benjamin Franklin Silknitter