Benjamin Franklin Auxier
1849-1910

Benjamin Franklin Auxier was eight years old when his father died. His mother later married Andrew T.J. Sharkey who served with General Rosecrans' Union troops during the Civil War. He obtained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. While on duty in Tennessee, Lt. Sharkey wrote home to his step-son;

Camp 85 Regiment, Ill Vols
Nashville, Tenn
January 14, 1863

My dear son Ben,

I write a few line to let you know that I am well and I hope that you are enjoying the same blessing. Ben, I am awful lonely here without all the folks at home. I have had some long marches and I have seen the Elephant in the way of a big battle 30 miles from here. I send Jeff some papers that will show all about the fight. Dear Ben, I want you to be a good boy and take good care of your Mother and your brothers and sister and take care of everything about the place.

Your affectionate Step Father

The Family of Benjamin Franklin Auxier
Leon Auxier, Mary May Auxier, George Auxier, Eliza Nell Auxier Peck

On July 4, 1868 Benjamin Franklin Auxier married Mary Ellen May, the daughter of William May and Lucy Ann Finch. In the mid 1870's, Benjamin and Mary moved to Cass County, Iowa with a large number of the Auxier and Lane families. The first school term for the new settlers was held in their home. Investing in a ditching machine with the money from the sale of Illinois land, Benjamin and his business partner planned to ditch the Cass County farm land to improve drainage for farmers. When his business partner absconded with all the funds, the family received a financial blow from which they were unable to recover. Seeking employment, Benjamin moved his family to Shelby County, Iowa. They later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri and Brewer, Arkansas where Benjamin died in 1910. Mary Auxier spent her remaining years living in the homes of her children where each morning she conducted a Bible reading for her grandchildren. She died in Kansas on her 91st birthday. Benjamin Franklin Auxier and Mary Ellen May were the parents of 11 children.

1. Mary Eliza Nell Auxier who married George Wesley Peck
2. Odessa Auxier who married Charles Gilland
3. Sarah Elizabeth Auxier who married Joseph Alma Handy
4. Leonard Auxier who died young.
5. Leon Leslie Auxier who married Gertrude Hattie Boylan. They were the parents of Lloyd Leslie Auxier
6. Lula A. Auxier who married Walter B. Foley
7. Amy G. Auxier who married John Herschel McCray.
8. Mabel L. Auxier who married Oscar M. Lewis.
9. Benjamin Franklin Auxier Jr. who died in infancy.
10. George Anthony Auxier who married Ethel Orlena Johnson
11. Gertrude E. Auxier who died in infancy

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