Skeels, Benjamin

BENJAMIN SKEELS – The subject of this notice was born in Chiguga? (no county in N.Y. by that spelling) County N.Y. on the 23rd day of June in the year 1810. He moved to Seneca County Ohio in 1832, that county then was a wilderness.
He was married to Caroline Hall in the year 1835, by this union there were four sons born – Roswell C. now living in Wauseon; Nelson who lost his life on the battle field near Atlanta, Georgia on the 22nd of July (no year given) he was Captain of Co. E 68th Reg.; William S. who lives on his farm in York Township, Fulton County; Lyman H. now resides in Iowa.
His wife died May the 27th 1844, he afterward married Delilah Huffman to this union were born on son Alfred T. who now lives on the old homestead, and two daughters Sarah and Caroline now living in Wauseon.
He moved to what is now Fulton County April 20, 1840, then Lucas County, here began the trials of pioneer life in a new country. When he reached his farm he had three dollars in money, with wife and two children. In one week he was living in his own cabin without a saved board in the house, the doors and window casings were hewed boards. He was a man always very much interested in the improvement of the county; he took an active part in the building up of schools and of roads in the township. He also did much in establishing the church of this new country. His home was the home of the pioneer ministers. He also was very much interested in the establishment of the Fulton County Fair, he being a life member of the same.
He was active in life, very firm in his convictions of right. He died November the 21st 1888 on the same farm he moved into in1840 at the age of 78 years 4 months and 27 days.