Last Updated on October 11, 2011 by
Mrs. Diantha F. Benefiel, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Shores, of Bradford Co., Pa.; moved to Coles Co., Oct. 12, 1843; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Sheshequin Tp., April 22, 1823; her maiden name was Diantha F. Shores ;. was married to her first husband, William N. Smith, March 31, 1844; names of children, boys-George W., Miren L., Julius E., William W.; girls-Elizabeth H., Arloa N., Irena S. George W. died Jan. 24, 1871. Her husband, William W. Smith, died April 8, 1861; is the owner of 320 acres of’ land, also a large flour-mill at Kickapoo, also three offices and four stone houses in Mattoon; is all valued at or near $30,000; was married to her second husband, Mr. George W. Benefiel, Feb. 6, 1868; has no children by her second husband; her first husband’s parents’ names were Jerrad and Clarinda Smith, of Coles Co., Ill.; Jerrad died Sept., 26, 1844; Clarinda died Sept. 18, 1850.