BENJAMIN F. ROCHESTER
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History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, 1879, by Miller & Ruggles
Bath Township
Page 817

BENJAMIN F ROCHESTER, clerk, Bath; was born in Bath, Ill., April 25, 1846. His father, Sidney Rochester, who was born in Knox Co., Ky., May 8, 1814, came to Illinois in 1835, locating in Whitehall, Greene Co., and was there married to Miss Sarah Stevenson, April 23, 1836, she was born in Middlesex Co., N J, March 29, 1810; they removed to Mason Co. in 1842, and settled near Bath. There were nine children by this union, only two of whom are now living---John L and Benjamin F; the deceased are Nathaniel S, William H, Charles G, George W, James S, Mary M, and Cornelia E; John and William served in Co E, 27th I V I, and Nathaniel and James in Co D, 85h I V I; all served till the rebellion was crushed. William, when mustered out, was in command of his company, with rank of First Lieutenant. Charles G died in 1845; Cornelia E, August 23, 1853; Geo W, April 8, 1861; Mary M, December 1, 1868; James S, Jan 4, 1872, leaving a wife and one child; Nathaniel S, May 15, 1872; Wm H, July 19, 1877, leaving three children, the death of his wife have occurred some time previous. Mr and Mrs Rochester still reside in Bath, having attained a ripe old age. John L also resides in Bath, and is engaged in blacksmithing. The subject of this sketch, prior to 1872, followed farming for several years, and then engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed till the spring of 1875, when he entered the employ of J R Horstman, as clerk, and remained with him one year. He was married, Dec 26, 1875, to Miss Lois A, daughter of Geo A and Sarah Bonney. Dec 12, 1876, he was commissioned Postmaster at Bath, and on the first of January following, took charge of the office. He resigned his office April 28, 1879, and entered the employ of A Schaaf, as clerk. The children of Mr and Mrs Rochester are Ernest P, born Aug 21, 1878, and Arthur N, June 9, 1979. Mr R is a member of Bath Lodge, No 125, I O O F, and has served as Secretary of same sine July 1, 1875, with the exception of one term, when he was chosen Noble Grand.



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