grave import

Obituary

Arthur J. Benner, 68, head of the Benner Tea company of Burlington and active in the business, civic, and social life of the city, passed away at his home, 907 North Fifth Street, at 4:30 Monday afternoon of a heart ailment.
He had been in ill health for some little time, and this summer spent several weeks at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and upon his return was believed to be improving. Recently, however, there was another turn for the worse, and for several days his condition had been critical.
In the death of Mr. Benner, Burlington loses one of her best-known citizens – a man who numbered his friends by the hundreds in all walks of life and one who has done much for the community. He was a liberal contributor to all worthwhile activities of the city and he gave of his time and energy to civic causes which were the better for his co-operation.
Although he devoted much time to his business a business that has its headquarters here but which has grown to an organization with branch establishments in Keokuk, Ottumwa, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport with 43 stores in 31 cities in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois he was active in various capacities in other lines of endeavor.
He was president of the First National Bank of Burlington and one of the organizers. He served on the board of Parsons College, Fairfield, as a trustee of the YMCA and a former director of the Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington and prominently identified with the Rotary club.
Mr. Benner assisted in the organization of the Southeastern Iowa Motor club of Burlington, affiliated with the American Automobile Association, serving the group as a director and president. He was likewise affiliated with the Masons, the Elks, Crystal Lake Hunting and Fishing Club, Woodmen of the World, and the Burlington Golf club.
Mr. Benner was keenly interested in sports, in hunting and fishing, and in other years devoted considerable time to these diversions. No one knows how many young men he has assisted in “getting started” on a worthwhile career, but there are many who have welcomed his aid and his advice. He was chosen as “Citizen No. 1” by the American Business club a few years ago-a choice that was everywhere popular.
Mr. Benner was born in Pella, Ia., June 18, 1869, but Burlington has been his home nearly all of his life. He came here, with his parents, when he was 4 years old. He attended public schools and later received a year’s instruction at the Elliott Business college. He left school when he was 15 years old and received practical training in commercial methods as an employee of the dry good store of Boesch & Co. He remained with this firm some 15 years, leaving to engage in business on his own account, and entered into active connection with the tea trade as a stockholder in what is now the Benner Tea Company.
The business was founded originally by Otto Lorenz and was conducted under the name of Latona Mills, which was located on Fourth Street in the building now occupied by The Music Shop. In 1889, Mr. Benner purchased the interest of Mr. Lorenz in the business, which was reorganized under the name of the Home Tea Company, with AJ Benner as President.
As the years have gone by, the business has expanded until it is now one of the greatest of its type in the part of the country, enlarging to include the general merchandising of food products through the retail medium of the Benteco stores. Much of his success has been due to the personal work of Mr. Benner, but in large measure also it has been brought about by his ability at organization and the selection and training of men qualified in every respect to continue the operation of the vast business he and his aides have built up.
A man of pleasing personality, a fine capacity for understanding, and having a wholehearted interest in his home, his business, and the wellbeing of his community, Mr. Benner’s death will be sincerely mourned by everyone who knew him.
He was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude E. Smith of Burlington in September 1893. She preceded him in death on Aug. 5, 1917, following injuries from an automobile accident. He married Julia C. Crawford Slingluff, Dec. 17, 1921, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Lauren F. Benner of Burlington; two daughters, Mrs. RG Moore of Vincennes, Ind., and Mrs. DG Wylie of Blooming ton, Ind.; a sister, Mrs. George Wahl of Burlington; a brother, PG Menner of Keokuk, Ia.; six grandchildren and an aunt, Mrs. Sarah Boesch.
The body was removed to Prugh’s chapel and will be taken to the residence tomorrow morning.
On Wednesday afternoon the body will lie in state at the First Presbyterian Church from 1 to 2:30 pm and funeral services will be held at the church at 2:30, Dr. Archibald Cardle to officiate. Friends are invited to the church. Burial, in Aspen Grove Cemetery, will be private.