Surnames: Benedict, Reed, Huckstead, Campbell

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 14 June 1934

Benedict, Celia Ruth (21 Oct. 1859 - 9 June 1934)

Mrs. Julius Benedict one of this community’s oldest resident passed away quite suddenly early Saturday morning, June 9, at her home on South Oak Street.

Celia Ruth Benedict was born October 21, 1859, at Hatfield, Wis., daughter of Thomas and Lucretia B. Reed. She attended the local school and Neillsville High School. June 20, 1879 she was married to Julius Sydney Benedict; for many years they lived on their farm in the town of Grant, later selling the place and moving to Neillsville. On June 30, 1929, Mr. and Mrs. Benedict celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding at the old Reed homestead on Pleasant Ridge, with a large gathering of children, grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. At this and many other minor meetings of friends and neighbors it was apparent that Mr. and Mrs. Benedict stood high in the esteem and love of the entire community, in which they had lived so long. Mr. Benedict died in July 1931, but Mrs. Benedict continued to live in the old home in Neillsville until her death. Mrs. Addie Merrill had been employed to stay with her and assist her in the home.

Mr. and Mrs. Benedict were born seven children, four of who survive: Arthur of Fond du Lac, Harry E. of New York, Murray L. of Berkeley, Calif., and Marion E. of Wauwautosa. Surviving her also are her sister, Mrs. H. O. Huckstead and eleven grandchildren. The oldest son Russell died in 1920, a daughter Norene died in 1904, and a son Laurel in 1915.

The four sons were all present to the funeral. Murray was in Washington, D. C. when the news of his mother’s death reached him and Harry came by airplane from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Benedict came from Wauwautosa and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Benedict from Fond du Lac. Other relatives present were Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Benedict of West Bend, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Donald Benedict of Madison, and Mrs. Laura Campbell of Black River Falls.