Zerviah B. (Dane) Benoit 1850-1874

Born: December 15, 1850 in Nova Scotia.

Died: November 28, 1874, buried in Riverside Cemetery in Appleton, Wisconsin, Block D, Lot 83.

Spouse: Louis N. Benoit m. June 17, 1873 and witnessed by Peter Dane, Zerviah’s brother. Announcement made in the Neenah Gazette published June 21, 1873, Volume 2, 327, page3. The paper spelled her name as Weir.

Children: Louie, died an infant.

(More pictures of grave markers below.)

Father’s name: Thomas Dane

Mother’s name: Elizabeth (Locke) Dane

Siblings: Frances “Fannie” Locke Dane

Atilla Dane

James Locke Dane

Leona S. (Dane) Briggs

Mary Maud Dane

Peter Eugene Dane

Frederick Tompkins Dane

Ina (Dane) Hawthorne

Oscar Thomas Dane

Burial records show that Zerviah died of consumption, not in childbirth as one might assume when reading the memorial.

I’m curious if Zerviah had a 2^nd cousin that she may have been named after. In my speculations about Israel Dane, who would have been Zerviah’s g-g-grandfather, there is a granddaughter to Israel (from a different son) named Zerviah Dane. If this were true, then it would strengthen my theory regarding Israel Dane.

Husband Louis lived with Zerviah’s parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, after her death, according to 1880 Census records. Louis was born May 21, 1848, in Town of “Bochanon” (likely misspelled on the record and should be Buchanon), Wisconsin, son of Michael Benoit, b. in Canada, and Barbara, b. in Prussia. There is another marriage record for Louis showing he remarried on June 10, 1880 to a Rose M. Mory, daughter of Charles and Helen Mory, and the couple may have lived in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Louis soon passed away, November 9, 1881, and is buried beside his 1^st wife, Zerviah.

Louis’ middle initial is N. and likely stood for Nickolas. Riverside Cemetery puts flags out for veterans every memorial day including one for Louis. A check of the Wisconsin Roster of Volunteers shows a Nicholas L. Benoit enlisting from Appleton on May 13, 1864. He was a private in the 40^th Infantry, Co. E., also known as the 100-day men, and was mustered out September 16, 1864 his term having expired.

Another interesting aspect regarding Louis Benoit is his association with the early history of the telephone. In 1875, Alexander Graham Bell brought us the telephone. Reading articles about it, Appleton banker Alfred Galpin literally built a set of telephones for his home and bank, located blocks apart, including stringing the wires and making the connections himself. This was in 1876 and was the first telephone in Wisconsin. In Olga Heller’s book, Appleton, Wisconsin: The Early Days, 1848-1898, “People were very curious about it. Mr. Galpin’s telephones interested his good friend Mr. Benoit, the drug store owner.* The druggist had several telephones put into his drug store and strung wires connecting them with several doctor’s offices. So a drug store became one of the first telephone exchanges in Wisconsin. The only other city in Wisconsin to have a few telephones was Milwaukee.” This was quite the novelty. He had a new soda fountain and people would gather at the drug store enjoying treats and drinks hoping to hear the phones ring. Mrs. Heller continues, “A few years later, Mr. Benoit had a switchboard that could connect with 25 telephones in Appleton. After Mr. Benoit died in 1881, the Wisconsin Telephone Company was formed.” I’ve additionally discovered that Nephew Ernest Fletcher (son of Zerviah’s sister, Fannie) is noted on the 1880 census with the occupation of Telephone Operator. There was only one telephone exchange in town, Uncle Louis’! Ryan’s History of Outagamie County states that the Appleton Telephone Company was organized in January of 1880 by L. A. Benoit and H. A. Tice.

*Photos of the drug store are below. Mrs. Heller may be slightly inaccurate regarding Louis Benoit’s ownership of the store. He was in partnership with John Montgomery who is also noted as a chair maker.

Louis Benoit seated at his telephone system. Photo courtesy of Tom Sutter, owner Picture This, an Appleton Gallery. Mr. Sutter has an extensive collection of photos, books, and memorabilia of Appleton, Wisconsin. I am very thankful for his assistance.

Zerviah’s husband, Louis, was a druggist. This building in Appleton on the corner of College and Oneida Streets was known as the Benoit and Montgomery Drug Store. A Mr. John Hart built the building in 1855. Signs visible reading Albany Fire Insurance Co., American Insurance Co of Chicago, Equitable Life Assurance Society, Phoenix Fire Insurance Co. T.W.Briggs agency. The Briggs agency is that of Brother In-Law Theodore W. Briggs. Photo is from the Appleton Public Library.

Another view of the drug store looking S.W. toward College Ave. & Oneida Streets, taken from 3rd story window in the Bank looking across the Avenue, to the South West. Date: c. 1868. From the Outagamie County Historical Society.

A note that Ina wrote describing the burial lot shows a question mark off to the side with the statement, “Somewhere on this side is the grave of George Fletcher, a grandson.” As this is mother Elizabeth’s Lot, it is her grandson, but the phrasing suggests he may be a child of Zerviah. However, burial records clearly show that he is not. George M. Fletcher, is son of Capt. Richard and Fannie (Dane) Fletcher and was born in Yarmouth, New York on July 24, 1856. He died on October 14, 1880.

Louis N. Benoit, husband of Zerviah.

These two sides of the memorial are for mother Elisabeth (Locke) Dane and Zerviah’s husband Louis Benoit. The flat marker in the foreground is for George Fletcher, which Ina guessed (mistakenly) to be Zerviah and Louis’ son and grandson to Elizabeth. Ina is also buried on this side of the lot, but there is no marker. Go to Elizabeth (Locke) Dane to see detail of her marker.

This reverse angle shows Zerviah’s side of the memorial. Nothing is written on the remaining side and the small marker below simply says “Louie” and is believed to be the infant son mentioned in Zerviah’s epitaph.

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