Elijah W. Benson, McCracken County (deceased) was well known in McCracken County as a Baptist minister of great zeal and piety. He was born in Robertson County, Tenn., October 17, 1823, and received his early education at Lebanon and Murfreesboro. He taught school for a while but soon gave
his attention to religious subjects, and during the balance of his life, had pastoral charge of various churchs in several States. He came to McCracken County in 1860, and thereafter devoted his time to the labors of the ministry and also to farming. He had been in feeble health for some years, yet his great energy continued undiminished, and gave success to his every effort. He was firm in his beliefs, yet of a very winning disposition, and his death was a severe loss to the community, in which he had faithfully
labored for many years. He filled the moderator's chair and for many years was clerk of the West Union Association. The parents of Mr. Benson were John and Jane (Sayle) Benson. The father was a merchant and farmer and served in the war of 1812. To the parents were born thirteen children, three of whom are now living: Agnes, E.H. and Gaylon. Our subject married Miss Gillie S.A. Boldry, who now survives him. She is a daughter of W.S. and Jane (Hampton) Boldry, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The union has been blessed with seven children, of whom five are living: Mrs. M.E. Hart, Sudora M., Eddie W., Algernon S. and Lelia I.