Samuel Benedict, a brave Idaho pioneer, who was killed by the Nez Perces Indians June 14, 1877, was born in Kingston, Canada, and was of English lineage. In his early manhood he married Miss Sarah Kelley, a native of New Brighton, New York, and in 1862 they came to Idaho. They were among the earliest settlers in the northern section of the state and Mr. Benedict established a general mercantile store at the mouth of White Bird River, where he was carrying on business at the time of his death. When the Nez Perces Indians went upon the warpath they visited that locality, and he lost his life at the hands of the treacherous savages. In the early morning he was shot through both of his legs, but managed to escape to the house. At six o’clock in the evening of the same day eighteen Indians called him out of the house and shot him eighteen times. The hired man then shot one of the Indians, but was himself shot, the ball entering his right eye and causing his death. Mrs. Benedict and her little daughter, then eight years old were taken prisoners by the savages, who burned their house, but the squaws took pity on the white woman and secured the release of herself and daughter, so that she was only held as a prisoner one night. She escaped on foot to Mount Idaho, where she was cared for by Captain E. W. Robie, whom she afterward married. She still survives, and her daughter is now the wife of G. W. Brown. By her marriage to the Captain she had two children, Emily and Edward Victor, who are still at home. Captain Robie had served throughout the civil war and was a captain of volunteers in the Nez Perces Indian war.
Samuel G. Benedict, the elder child of Samuel and Sarah (Kelley) Benedict, to whom we are indebted for this account of the family, was born at Freedom, Idaho, October 9, 1864, and now resides at Grangeville. He owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres near the town and is the proprietor of the Idaho Steam Laundry. An enterprising and energetic business man, he is meeting with a well deserved success in his undertakings and occupies a foremost place in business circles in Grangeville.
Mr. Benedict married Miss Cora Perkins, and they had one son, Lloyd, who died in his second year. They have a pleasant home in Grangeville and a large circle of friends. The name of our subject is on the membership rolls of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Order of Red Men, and in social and business circles he ranks deservedly high.