Honey Grove, Texas

Obituary of Benjamin Orton Walcott

As appeared in the Honey Grove Signal-Citizen March 26, 1926

While the clock was striking the hour of 11 Tuesday morning the bugler from the dim shadows across the river was sounding taps for Honey Grove's oldest son, and as the notes of the gong died away Benjamin Orton Walcott sank into restful sleep. There had been turbulent waters, with hours of pain, but when the soul of this honored son of our little city put out to sea it was borne across the bar by a tide so smooth and still that it seemed asleep, symbolic of the gentle, patient life that had been lived.

To speak or think of B. O. Walcott is to have one's mind stirred afresh to the scenes of the early history of our town and country, for he was the oldest native-born child of Honey Grove. One thinks of broad prairies with their luxuriant growth of native grass, where beast long since exterminated by civilization roamed unmolested, where bands of treacherous Indians hunted or rested in wigwams, and where only a few white families had gathered as the advance guard to hew out a better civilization and lay the foundations of a great commonwealth. It was in 1848 that Benjamin S. Walcott, father of the subject of this sketch, a young man who had enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, left the city of New York, the commercial center of the western hemisphere, and turned his fact westward, traveling by boat, horseback or wagon until after many weeks travel he found himself on the spot around which this pretty town and magnificent country have been developed. He was a surveyor, and with compass, chain and needle divided the land into sections and marked their boundaries. Soon thereafter he was married to Mrs. Bettie Gilmer, and in 1849 he laid out the town of Honey Grove. Having done this he engaged in merchandising, in which he continued until his death. His business having prospered, it after a time outgrew the rude building in which it was first conducted, and in 1874 he erected the first stone building in Honey Grove, using the native stone found near town in its construction. This building stood on the present site of what is known as the Walcott Block. This building was burned in 1877 and rebuilt in 1879. For many years Benjamin S. Walcott was the foremost citizen of the town and country. He was a member of the first City Council, he donated the land for the first church building, the old union church, and in 1858 he built the first flouring mill in this section. In 1879 Benjamin S. Walcott, after a long and useful career, passed away, leaving the tow sons, Benjamin O. and Charles H. Walcott. The latter died more than twenty years ago.

Benjamin Orton Walcott was born June 28, 1852, lacking only a few months of the age of 74 when he joined the silent boatman for the voyage to the other shore. His birthplace was the old Walcott home, which stood near the northwest corner of the public square. He was educated in the local schools and in Auburn, New York. After the death of his father he conducted the general merchandise business until 1888. Retiring from business in 1888, he supervised his farming interests until failing health made it impossible to give them attention - then he quietly and uncomplainingly awaited the end. April 21, 1875, Mr. Walcott was married to Miss Martha Wilson, daughter of M. M. and Eliza Wilson, also pioneers, and for many years friends and neighbors of his parents. To this union were born four children, M. B. of Uvalde; Dr. H. G. Walcott, of Dallas; Mrs. J. F. Black of Honey Grove, and Mrs. J. Warren Jones, of Dallas. Mrs. Walcott passed away April 1, 1911. On June 4, 1914, Mr. Walcott was married to Miss Juanita Brock, daughter of James Franklin Brock, of Winnsboro, who survives him.

B. O. Walcott never held or desired to hold official position outside of his home town. As an aid to the community he did serve several years on the City Council and School Board and as a volunteer fireman. He was a member of and an elder in the Presbyterian church, to which he was loyal and devoted, and whose teachings lie exemplified in his every-day life. He was not a man who made great pretensions, but one who stood four-square for righteousness, never compromised a principle or did violence to his conscience. When B. O. Walcott gave his word, no man who knew him asked a bond, when he passed upon an issue no one doubted his sincerity.

To this writer, who knew him nearly 40 years, B. O. Walcott was a fine type of the well balanced man. He was a Christian without equal, a man who could rejoice with the happy and sympathize with the sorrowing, who was companionable with all ages, classes and conditions, always tolerant, a man of sound judgment, fair-minded even when his fairness meant financial loss to him, patient in trouble, sorrow and suffering, and cheerful under all circumstances. He was a great reader, thoroughly posted on the events of his time, familiar with history, and a lover of the best literature.

Wednesday afternoon loved ones and friends gathered at the beautiful home, where the funeral service was held. Dr. E. L. Moore, a former pastor, whom deceased loved as a brother, paid a beautiful tribute to the beautiful life that had been lived and spoke words of comfort to the living. Then, in the beautiful woodland in which he had played as a boy, and where hundreds of pioneers he knew have their names carved on the tomb, his remains were laid to rest near his loved ones and the noble pioneers to which we are indebted for our splendid civilization. May his ashes rest in peace and a healing balm from the Giver of all comfort steal into the hearts of loved ones who are so sorely bereaved.

Back to Biographies of Early Settlers

Home Honey Grove History Articles Honey Grove Library Hall-Voyer Foundation E-Mail

Site designed by Mary A. Thurman, Hall-Voyer Foundation. For comments about site, e-mail mayfield@honeygrove.org. For information about library, e-mail hallv@1starnet.com. Please notify if broken links found. Site created March, 2000. Reviewed February, 2008.