The Oskaloosa Independent
22 Feb.
1929
"UNCLE FRANK" PINZON, PIONEER, DIES AT
86
B. F. "Undle Frank" Pinzon, 86, whose erect, spare figure
and venerable white beard have been a familiar sight in Oskaloosa for
many years died at the Methodist hospital, St. Joseph, Mo., February 18,
following a rapid decline which began with the flu in December. Born in
West Virginia, he started work when but six years of age; at nineteen he
joined the Confederate army after the killing of his father, brother and
sister during an attack on their home by Union soldiers. he fought in
many major engagements and was discharged at Lee’s surrender at
Appomatox. In later years he had many an adventure, going to the west
coast through Panama, and again he was in Argentina. Thirty years ago he
came to Kansas in a covered wagon, and made his home at Oskaloosa.
Services were held at Oskaloosa Methodist church
Wednesday afternoon, charge of Rev. A. H. Tebben. Interment was in
Pleasant View cemetery. Obituary next week.
Unlabeled clipping--probably Oskaloosa Independent of
Mar. 1, 1929
Benjamin Franklin Pinzon was born at Charleston W. Va.,
August 16, 1842, the son of John Jacob and Mary Ann Pinzon; he died at
the Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. 18, 1929, aged 86 years,
six months, two days.
He was married to Martha Cylinda Lawton at Taylorsville,
Ill., Dec. 14, 1872, and her death occurred Oct. 13, 1923. Eleven
children were born, six preceding their parents in death, Ada and Ida,
twins, Gertrude, Benjamin Franklin, Jr., Josie Keeling and Martha
Kersey. Survivors are James F. Pinzon, Grace Alice Mulkey, and Annie
Laurie Sweeney, of St. Joseph, Mo., Hallie Venable, San Diego,
California; and Mamie Davis, Oskaloosa; twenty-five grandchildren and
eight great-grandchildren.
Services were held from the Methodist church at Oskaloosa
on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in charge of Rev. A. H. Tebben. Interment was in
Pleasant View cemetery, beside his wife.
Thirty years ago Mr. Pinzon came to Oskaloosa,
established a home on the farm, and retired from its active operation a
year ago only because of ill health. A life of Adventure was his lot
during his youth, and his rare reminiscences revealed yeas of hardship,
battle, and strife in the early days. He was a Confederate veteran,
later a soldier of fortune in Central America, and later in the
Argentine.
Known to Oskaloosa community as "Uncle Frank" he held a
unique place in the community, with a host of friends. His advice to
young men was always to go straight and work hard. A poem, which he
dictated for his brother, living in Charleston, W. Va., gives an insight
of his love for his native state, and his close communion with nature:
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The family of the late B. F. Pinzon acknowledge with
grateful appreciation the kind expression of sympathy from the friends
and also for the beautiful floral tributes.
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Dictated by B. F. Pinzon for his brother living in
Charleston, W. Va.
In memory’s bank I’m drifting to my West Virginia home.
Where the rippling, laughing waters of the old Kanawa
roam
In and out among the mountains, and I hear the gladsome
cry
Of the sugar birds above me in the azure springtime sky.
And I seem to hear a rustling up the rugged mountain side
In the leafy laurel thicket when the---(cut off and lost
the last line)Contributed by Richard
Wellman/Jefferson County Genealogy Society