Leonard R. Benshoof was born about 1838 in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, the 7th child and 7th son of John and Catharine Benshoof. He came with his family to Blue Grass in 1854. When his mother died in 1861, he inherited the farm that had been given to his mother for her lifetime by her father, Peter Levergood. The following two stories appear in the 9 Aug 1866 edition of the Davenport Daily Gazette, p. 4:
"ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM - A few days ago we noticed the destruction by fire of Mr. L. Benshoof's barn at Blue Grass. We learn that since then the dwelling house was discovered on fire by Miss Benshoof, who having occasion to enter a small room, found a fire burning in the floor, which had evidently been set from the outside, through a broken window sash. The fire was extinguished with trifling loss. The family cannot assign any reason why they should be subject to such serious annoyance." [ED: Although "Miss Benshoof" is not further identified, it must be Mary Catharine, who would have been 20 at the time.]
"FOUND DEAD IN BED - Mr. Leonard R. Benshoof, a resident of Blue Grass, was found by his brothers dead in bed last Monday morning. He retired to bed seemingly well on Sunday night, and was supposed to be sleeping late, when upon going to arouse him, he was found lying with his face buried in the pillow dead. Mr. B. had been for twenty five years past subject to fits, and it is supposed from the position of the body and limbs, that he died from suffocation, whilst in one of them. He was a single man. Justice Baker, acting as coroner, held an inquest, Messrs. John Wiley, Samuel Perrin and Wm. Dorman, as jury. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts we have stated. The funeral took place on Tuesday."
[ED: 9 Aug 1866 was Thursday. He was found Monday morning 6 Aug 1866, but the Blue Grass Cemetery records record his death as Sunday, 5 Aug 1866. The funeral took place on Tues., 7 Aug 1866. Although the "brothers" are not identified, they are probably Paul and William H. H., the two brothers closest in age to him.]
He was only 27 years old. He is recorded in the Blue Grass Cemetery records as buried there, but there is no record of the section, lot or grave and there is no marker for him.
"ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM - A few days ago we noticed the destruction by fire of Mr. L. Benshoof's barn at Blue Grass. We learn that since then the dwelling house was discovered on fire by Miss Benshoof, who having occasion to enter a small room, found a fire burning in the floor, which had evidently been set from the outside, through a broken window sash. The fire was extinguished with trifling loss. The family cannot assign any reason why they should be subject to such serious annoyance." [ED: Although "Miss Benshoof" is not further identified, it must be Mary Catharine, who would have been 20 at the time.]
"FOUND DEAD IN BED - Mr. Leonard R. Benshoof, a resident of Blue Grass, was found by his brothers dead in bed last Monday morning. He retired to bed seemingly well on Sunday night, and was supposed to be sleeping late, when upon going to arouse him, he was found lying with his face buried in the pillow dead. Mr. B. had been for twenty five years past subject to fits, and it is supposed from the position of the body and limbs, that he died from suffocation, whilst in one of them. He was a single man. Justice Baker, acting as coroner, held an inquest, Messrs. John Wiley, Samuel Perrin and Wm. Dorman, as jury. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts we have stated. The funeral took place on Tuesday."
[ED: 9 Aug 1866 was Thursday. He was found Monday morning 6 Aug 1866, but the Blue Grass Cemetery records record his death as Sunday, 5 Aug 1866. The funeral took place on Tues., 7 Aug 1866. Although the "brothers" are not identified, they are probably Paul and William H. H., the two brothers closest in age to him.]
He was only 27 years old. He is recorded in the Blue Grass Cemetery records as buried there, but there is no record of the section, lot or grave and there is no marker for him.
Leonard R. Benshoof was born about 1838 in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, the 7th child and 7th son of John and Catharine Benshoof. He came with his family to Blue Grass in 1854. When his mother died in 1861, he inherited the farm that had been given to his mother for her lifetime by her father, Peter Levergood. The following two stories appear in the 9 Aug 1866 edition of the Davenport Daily Gazette, p. 4:
"ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM - A few days ago we noticed the destruction by fire of Mr. L. Benshoof's barn at Blue Grass. We learn that since then the dwelling house was discovered on fire by Miss Benshoof, who having occasion to enter a small room, found a fire burning in the floor, which had evidently been set from the outside, through a broken window sash. The fire was extinguished with trifling loss. The family cannot assign any reason why they should be subject to such serious annoyance." [ED: Although "Miss Benshoof" is not further identified, it must be Mary Catharine, who would have been 20 at the time.]
"FOUND DEAD IN BED - Mr. Leonard R. Benshoof, a resident of Blue Grass, was found by his brothers dead in bed last Monday morning. He retired to bed seemingly well on Sunday night, and was supposed to be sleeping late, when upon going to arouse him, he was found lying with his face buried in the pillow dead. Mr. B. had been for twenty five years past subject to fits, and it is supposed from the position of the body and limbs, that he died from suffocation, whilst in one of them. He was a single man. Justice Baker, acting as coroner, held an inquest, Messrs. John Wiley, Samuel Perrin and Wm. Dorman, as jury. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts we have stated. The funeral took place on Tuesday."
[ED: 9 Aug 1866 was Thursday. He was found Monday morning 6 Aug 1866, but the Blue Grass Cemetery records record his death as Sunday, 5 Aug 1866. The funeral took place on Tues., 7 Aug 1866. Although the "brothers" are not identified, they are probably Paul and William H. H., the two brothers closest in age to him.]
He was only 27 years old. He is recorded in the Blue Grass Cemetery records as buried there, but there is no record of the section, lot or grave and there is no marker for him.
"ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM - A few days ago we noticed the destruction by fire of Mr. L. Benshoof's barn at Blue Grass. We learn that since then the dwelling house was discovered on fire by Miss Benshoof, who having occasion to enter a small room, found a fire burning in the floor, which had evidently been set from the outside, through a broken window sash. The fire was extinguished with trifling loss. The family cannot assign any reason why they should be subject to such serious annoyance." [ED: Although "Miss Benshoof" is not further identified, it must be Mary Catharine, who would have been 20 at the time.]
"FOUND DEAD IN BED - Mr. Leonard R. Benshoof, a resident of Blue Grass, was found by his brothers dead in bed last Monday morning. He retired to bed seemingly well on Sunday night, and was supposed to be sleeping late, when upon going to arouse him, he was found lying with his face buried in the pillow dead. Mr. B. had been for twenty five years past subject to fits, and it is supposed from the position of the body and limbs, that he died from suffocation, whilst in one of them. He was a single man. Justice Baker, acting as coroner, held an inquest, Messrs. John Wiley, Samuel Perrin and Wm. Dorman, as jury. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts we have stated. The funeral took place on Tuesday."
[ED: 9 Aug 1866 was Thursday. He was found Monday morning 6 Aug 1866, but the Blue Grass Cemetery records record his death as Sunday, 5 Aug 1866. The funeral took place on Tues., 7 Aug 1866. Although the "brothers" are not identified, they are probably Paul and William H. H., the two brothers closest in age to him.]
He was only 27 years old. He is recorded in the Blue Grass Cemetery records as buried there, but there is no record of the section, lot or grave and there is no marker for him.
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