Description
“Death of Mother Bennon” Another good old colored Mother has passed to her reward. Mother Bennon died Tuesday morning after a short illness. Adaline Waller Bennon was born a slave in old Virginny (Virginia), April 7, 1833, and died at Valley Falls, March 4, 1912, aged 78 years, 10 months, and 28 days. When she was but a child her Master Waller, located in Platte County, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood, becoming the family cook in the Waller home, a high honor in the days of slavery, a position she held after her union with Aaron Bennon long before the war and until the colored Exodus to Kansas in the latter part of that struggle. The Bennon's came to Valley Falls in Cal. Smith’s wagon, he having told them they could get work at Uncle Billy Gragg’s farm on Cedar. Later they moved to town, bought property, and made this their home. To this couple 12 children were born, 6 of whom are dead. The living are Mrs. Henry Daniels of Holton (Kansas), Mrs. Bettie Tolbert and Mrs. Maggie Reynolds of Denver (Colorado), Aaron Jr. of Atchison (Kansas) and James and George of Valley Falls (Kansas). The husband and father (Aaron Bennon) died here June 24,1884, with a good record as do most all the old former slaves. Their sons James and George are two of the best colored men in town, industrious and reliable, each holding good jobs. Aaron works about a printing office in Atchison and Boss Chapman says he couldn’t get along without Aaron. The funeral was held from the Second Methodist church Thursday afternoon, Rev. Murphey conducting the services, all the children and many friends being present. The burial was in the old cemetery by the side of her husband.Date(s) of Creation
3/17/1912
