As his family grew, so did his house, adding rooms as needed until itbecame a rambling structure wit… ‎(N287)‎
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Shared Note: - As his family grew, so did his house, adding rooms as needed until itbecame a rambling structure with rooms on different levels. He hadbuilt for his first wife the first kitchen to have a sink in thecommunity which she so prized so highly that she kept plants in it.Fine cheeses were made at his farm which he loaded in his wagon,driving to Cincinnati, Ohio where they were sold. He was a greatreader of books and would return home with his wagon filled withclassics. He valued education and saw to it that even his daughtersreceived higher training which was unusual for that time. Theseremembrances were told by his grandson, Dr. Thomas A Hopkins.Another grandson, Arthur Hopkins, wrote of him in one of hissyndicated newspaper columns this story. One day a neighbor camestorming down because one of Benoni's cows had broke through afence and trample his corn field. Benoni calmly pulled a chair into theshade and said, "Be seated neighbor. When you have cooled off we willtalk as sensible men should. No man has suffered in person or in goodsat my hands." His wife brought them a pitcher of buttermilk that hadbeen standing in the spring. The man, John Storm, his face swollenwith anger, hesitated, then drank. Then Benoni produced an old book.It was a mine of farm information, dates of plantings, and harvests,records of sales and purchases-a history of the old farm. Benonifound a paragraph and read, first a date, then "This day agreed thatthe west line shall be kept in repair on an equal basis, John Storm tocare for the north half and I to care for the south half." He turnedover a page and read again," "This day completed rebuilding my half ofthe west line fence with locust posts and white pine nails-a workmanlike job. Turning to John Storm he said in a mild voice, "BrotherStorm, in which portion of the line did my cattle break through?" Theman was at a loss for words, he fingered his hat brim nervously, triedto speak and finally almost groaned, "My half, Andrews, and I think youknew it." No gloating, no "I told you so" no recriminations. Grandfather,(Arthur Hopkins speaking) offered John Storm as many locust postsas he would need to fix the fence and then held out his hand in parting.John Storm choked, "You are the best neighbor I have ever known. Imade a fool out of myself and I'm sorry" (Arthur Hopkins) was 12years old at the time and had seized a wagon stake preparing to joingrandfather in the battle with John Storm. "I would of smashed him ifhe tried to kill you" I blurted out. Grandfather sat down again and toldme to come closer. "There was never a difference that could not beironed out peacefully, if men could calm down and be fair." he said."Even wars are an unnecessary evil and founded on man'sstubbornness and willful natures. The golden rule that you learned inSunday school works out on the farm, the daily tasks, in thetreatment of those about you and in the handling of animals. Even afractious horse will yield to kindness. In every crisis of your life, in thelong years that are before you, speak mildly, act fairly, wrong no man,and try to put yourself in the place of the other person. Add to thatsimply, honesty and you will be a peaceful and a happy man."

Source		 Hopkins.ged
Publication: Merged on 5 May 2007 at 10:21:50
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v185t0925
Last Change 5 May 2007 - 12:24:26


As his family grew, so did his house, adding rooms as needed until itbecame a rambling structure wit…

INDINameBirthAnniversaryPlaceChildrenDeathAnniversaryAgePlaceLast Change
1I2302Andrews, Benoni
BENONI,ANDREWSANDREWS,BENONI21614149675 May 2007 - 2:25:08pmMYESYES

Total individuals : 1		GIVNSURNSEXBIRTDEATTREE