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Benjamin David Fleet

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Benjamin David Fleet

Birth	:	1 May 1849 Annapolis, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Death	:	1 Jan 1927 Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6250000, -93.9475021
Plot	:	Section 2, Lot 307, Spaces 1 & 2
Description	:	"PIONEER BUSINESS MAN AT REST B. D. Fleet, Senior Member of B. D. Fleet & Co., Succumbed to Pneumonia at Excelsior Springs" B. D. Fleet, one of the earliest businessmen of Lamoni, and member of the firm for thirty-six years, passed away at Excelsior Springs, Mo., Saturday, January 1, aged 77 years 8 months. Benjamin David, son of John and Caroline Fleet, was born May 1, 1849 at Annapolis, Nova Scotia. After receiving his early education, he worked in different stores until he was about eighteen years of age when he went to... Read More	"PIONEER BUSINESS MAN AT REST B. D. Fleet, Senior Member of B. D. Fleet & Co., Succumbed to Pneumonia at Excelsior Springs" B. D. Fleet, one of the earliest businessmen of Lamoni, and member of the firm for thirty-six years, passed away at Excelsior Springs, Mo., Saturday, January 1, aged 77 years 8 months. Benjamin David, son of John and Caroline Fleet, was born May 1, 1849 at Annapolis, Nova Scotia. After receiving his early education, he worked in different stores until he was about eighteen years of age when he went to New York City to locate employment. His earliest ambition was to be a merchant and build up a large business. He was unable to find a position to his liking but continued to search for days, when finally his money nearly gone, he offered to work for nothing in a large dry goods establishment in order that he might show them his worth. Here he made good and worked for some time until he decided that the West offered greater opportunities for advancement and came to Chicago, Ill. After working in wholesale houses for some time, he started on the road as a traveling salesman. At different periods, he represented the following well-known firms: James H. Walker Dry Goods Co., and Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. of Chicago, and Iater R. L. McDonald Mfg. Co. of St. Joseph, Mo. He was known as a very successful salesman and became widely known in his territory and nothing pleased him more in later years than to renew acquaintanceships with former customers and fellow salesmen of that time and recount experiences on the road. How he traveled in those early years with a team and wagon, hauling his sample trunks from town to town, as the branch railroads had not as yet been built. He never forgot customers who had traded with him while here in business and had a remarkable memory in recalling the faces and names of men and women and those of their family whom he had not seen for years. He entered a partnership with Grant McPherrin who is now president of the Central State Bank of Des Moines, lowa, at Clearfield, in 1888 intending to promote a chain of stores, but later sold his interest when he entered business in Lamoni in 1891. Here he has been active in the firm which bears his name for thirty-six years. In the past eight years, he has in not been in immediate charge, his son Albert having been manager, but his active interest and deep concern in it continued to the last hours of his life. He united with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1905 and lived faithful to his covenant to the time of his death. While not a regular attendant at church, his was a practical religion, and many are the incidents of his good deeds reported by old-time friends in need; such as one Christmas time several widows who had owed him a long time and were in poverty, received receipts of their accounts being paid in of full and cancelled; farmers, who were struggling, like himself, to get a start but with crop failures and sickness, had no means and no credit wherewith to put in their crop and he lent security for them until they could get on their feet. When the hitching posts were removed from Main street, at considerable expense, he provided a yard where the public might place their teams. While refusing to hold public office, feeling he was too busy, yet he always upheld every good movement and contributed generously. As he so often said, "What is beneficial to the community and town, helps me, too," He spoke very little of himself and seemed to have forgotten those acts of love and charity until reminded by those who benefited many years later. He was married to Nell Barr of this place July 3, 1884, to which union seven children were born: Albert W., Mrs. W. E. Bayer, Mrs. F. B. Lysinger of Lamoni, B. D. Fleet, Jr., of Osceola, Iowa, and Helene Fleet of Fort Collins, Colo.; and two children who died in infancy. The wife and mother died twenty-two years ago, since time he has been both father and mother to the family of five children. Besides the children, he leaves to mourn eleven grandchildren, one granddaughter having preceded him in death, one brother, Capt. John Fleet, who is superintendent of docks in New York City, and a sister, Mrs. Laura Coleman, of Omaha, Neb., besides a host of friends. On account of his health, it had become necessary in later years for him to spend his winters in the south. He went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., about two weeks ago expecting to go farther south later. Here he contracted a severe cold, which developed into pneumonia so weakening him that he passed quietly and peacefully away about 5:30 p.m. January 1. Those present at his bedside at the time of his death were his sons Albert and Ben and daughter Helene. B. D. Fleet was a builder. He came here when the town was young and had to meet many trials and overcome many obstacles incident to those trying years. For several years before the passing of his companion who was in an accident, making her a cripple, there were cares at home and business worries that few, if any, knew. For he kept his trials and experiences largely to himself. He was a builder, but all along the way, he took time to be friendly and helpful to others, and at his last visit to the large establishment which he founded, he was anxious to greet and become acquainted with the stranger who came within. He is gone, but his memory will live on in the hearts of the hundreds who knew him for the friendly aid, encouragement and service he had given them. "We shall think of him still as the same. We say, he is not dead, he is just away." Funeral services were held at the Brick church Tuesday afternoon, Roy Cheville offering prayer, W. E. Prall preaching the sermon. Music was furnished by the A Cappello chorus who sang "Lead, Kindly Light" and "There is a Land Immortal," and by George Anway in a tenor solo. "Face to Face." Pallbearers were selected from among the business men, and the little grandchildren acted as flower bearers. SOURCE: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, January 6th, 1927, pgs. 1, 8 MOTHER: Caroline Williams FATHER: John James Fleet Immigrated to the U.S.: 1877 WIFE: Nellie Alice Barr m. 11 Sep 1884 Lamoni, Decatur, Iowa CHILDREN 1. Albert William Fleet m. Marie M. Siltz 2. Grace Carolyn Fleet m. Walter Eugene Hayer 3. Edith Elzina Fleet m. Frederick Blatchford Lysinger 4. Benjamin David Fleet m. Agnes Nelson 5. Ethel F. Fleet infant death 6. Helene Barr Fleet m. Joe Leslie Lewis FURTHER INFORMATION: 1. The birth year on the death certificate is 1848, which differs from what is inscribed on his headstone and printed in his obituary, 1849.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Benjamin David Fleet's memorial?
Benjamin David Fleet's memorial is located at: Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, USA.
When did Benjamin David Fleet death?
Benjamin David Fleet death on 1 Jan 1927 in Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Benjamin David Fleet's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6250000
Longitude: -93.9475021

Family Members:

Parent

John James Fleet

(1810 - 1883)

Caroline Williams Fleet

(1822 - 1906)

Spouse

Nellie Alice Barr Fleet

(1865 - 1905)

Siblings

Children

Albert William Fleet

(1886 - 1945)

Grace Carolyn Fleet Hayer

(1889 - 1966)

Edith Elzina Fleet Lysinger

(1891 - 1972)

Ethel F. Fleet

(1895 - 1895)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Rose Hill Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6250000, -93.9475021

2. Sweet Home Cemetery
Fayette Township, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5946550, -93.9566660

3. Lillie Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6565829, -93.9418602

4. Creveling Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6309232, -93.8984728

5. Hollen Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5952000, -94.0097000

6. Lewis Cemetery
Kellerton, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6588500, -94.0280500

7. Andover Cemetery
Andover, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5588989, -93.9008026

8. Terre Haute Cemetery
Terre Haute, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6836646, -93.8800621

9. Bucy Cemetery
Decatur City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6902056, -93.8869286

10. New Buda Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6027448, -93.8314819

11. Patrick Cemetery
Riley Township, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5900000, -94.0586000

12. Downey Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5581017, -93.8606033

13. Elk Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7210467, -93.9390707

14. Mount Zion Cemetery
Riley Township, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5960000, -94.0731000

15. IOOF Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6405800, -93.8174600

16. Miller Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7026000, -93.8592000

17. Anderson Cemetery
Eagleville, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5293503, -93.9983292

18. Mount Pleasant No 2 Baptist Church Cemetery
Blythedale, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5300010, -93.8916160

19. Old Davis City Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6415100, -93.8115800

20. Brown Cemetery
Eagleville, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5447006, -94.0357971

21. Millsap Cemetery
Grand River, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7333310, -93.9502260

22. Maple Row Cemetery
Kellerton, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7077700, -94.0424500

23. Catholic Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5522003, -93.8380966

24. Payne Cemetery
Hatfield, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5592003, -94.0733032