Benjamin F. Lord - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Member of Bryan G.A.R.

Benjamin Franklin Lord was the younger brother of William Lord, who also served in the Civil War.  Benjamin, son of Randall and Amarilla Rice Lord, was born on December 5, 1842.  On the 1860 census, he was 17 years old and living with his parents, working as a laborer.  His father was a shoemaker.




On August 29, 1861, when he was 18, he enlisted in Company E, 21st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  The 21st was made up of many Northwest Ohio men.  Benjamin enlisted into the three year unit which left Ohio in September, marching on to Kentucky.  Something happened to Benjamin which caused him to be discharged honorably on a Surgeon's Certificate of Disability on July 11, 1862, after serving 10 months and 7 days.  He tried to reenlist, according to his obituary, but was rejected. His pension file would tell the whole story.

After the war, Benjamin spent his entire life living in Farmer Township.  He and his wife, Ruth Erlsten, had two children, Ina and David, but Ina died at a young age.
David and his wife, Luella, lived for many years next to his parents, and David helped with the farming, eventually taking it over completely.  They had no children.

It was on Benjamin Lord's farm that a horrific boiler explosion occurred in September, 1885.

Defiance Democrat - September 17, 1885

 Benjamin was an active member of his community, serving on the burial commission for the township and as a delegate for the Republican county conventions,  He was an officer in the G.A.R. and at least one regimental reunion was held at his farm.  He also served on the Civil War monument committee in Farmer.

Crescent News, June 6, 1922

In 1923, Benjamin and Ruth celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Crescent News - February 8, 1923

 Benjamin passed away that same year - August 5, 1923.  He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, according to his death certificate, and died suddenly.  His obituary appeared in the Bryan Press on August 9, 1923:

"BENJAMIN F. LORD.
Benjamin F. Lord, son of Randel and Ammarella Lord, was born in a log cabin near where the Christian Krable barn now stands, Dec. 5, 1842, and died in his home in Farmer township Aug. 8, 1923, at the age of 80 years and 8 months.

Aug. 29, 1861, he enlisted in Co. 21 O.V.I. and was discharged July 11, 1862 on a surgeon's certificate of disability.  In 1864 he reenlisted but was rejected.

February 1, 1863 he was married to Ruth L. Irten to which union were born two children, Ina and David A.  When Jay Cronk was 2 years old, these people took him into this home where he remained until he reached the age of 10.

Mr. Lord, or 'Dick' as he was known by hundreds of people, was one of the best neighbors who believed in the Golden Rule and followed it.  He leaves his wife and son, David, and a host of relatives and friends who will miss his cheerful company.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. M. Riddle and the G.A.R. post of Bryan."

Burial at Farmer Cemetery