Benjamin K Judge HERSEY

1812 Maryland
Mar 27 1877 Granby MO

"This stone was placed by the Mining Co. This monument is erected by the Granby Mining and Smelting Co. in grateful acknowledgement of his long and faithful service as general superintendent and manager of their mines."


OBITUARY FOR JUDGE B.K. HERSEY,
NEWTON COUNTY NEWS,
APRIL 5, 1877
From the Granby Miner


Judge Benjamin K. Hersey,

The announcement of whose death. on Wednesday last, cast such deep gloom over this community, was born in Maryland, in the year 1812. He removed with his parents to Virginia, and resided there until 1826, when he came to Missouri, and became interested in the Virginia Mining Company, on the Merimac river in Franklin County. In 1848 he removed to Richwood, Washington County, and was elected County Judge for several successive terms. He also there first became connected with Peter E. Blow and Le Baum in mining and smelting, and carried on a general merchandising business. His connection with Peter E. Blow continued from that time forward.
Together they came to Granby in 1857, when the firm of Blow & Kennett was formed, and engaged in the mining and smelting business. This was the first organization of what has since become the most extensive mining and smelting company in the United States, and it is not too much to say, that the prudence and wisdom of the plans and means employed at that early day by Peter E. Blow and his wife and sagacious counselor, B.K. Hersey, laid the firm foundations on which the Granby Mining and Smelting Company has since stood as an a rock. The little air furnaces, with one or two eyes, have given way to the great capacious ones, with their fine steam jigs, crushers, machinery and appointments; the stirring of "prairie-schooners," freighted with lead for the long and hazardous cruise to Boonville, has been replaced with almost daily trains of "Soft Missouri" lead, that has become famous in European markets and challenges the competition of the world; the small counting-house business has become gigantic, and cabalistic symbols, "G. M. & S. Co.," are as familiar in the marts of commerce as "U.S.A."
Judge Hersey stood side by side with Peter E. Blow from 1857, down until the tide of the war and rebellion swept over the nation. The miners left their shafts, whips and whims in search of glory and "Pap Price," or to "fight mit Sigel," and the Granby mines took a furlough of five years.
Peace was barely whispered when Judge Hersey and Peter E. Blow were back again at Granby, and hundreds of their old miners were here to meet them with a hearty shake of the hand and a "God bless you!" Reconstruction was complete and instantaneous in Granby. All the animosities of war merged in the first smoke that rolled up and away from the new furnaces. Renewed life and vigor was infused into the mines. For four years Peter E. Blow, seconded ably by Judge Hersey, extended every aid and encouragement and every inducement in the power of the Company to the miners. In every social gathering, in the hour of gladness, or the sad moments of suffering and gloom, they shared--
"And sorrow flowed from eye to eye
And joy from heart to heart"
And we can easily believe when the old miners tell over to us the tales of those times, that no community ever was more blessed with plenty and peace.
It was a sad day for Granby when Peter E. Blow laid down his work--a sad day to all, but how much more to that tall, dignified man, who was so suddenly called on to fill his place. If your right hand is taken away you must and will miss it. But the furnace stacks still sent up their clouds of smoke. Judge Hersey's breast was the faithful repository of the arts, the secrets of success and prosperity in mining. To him the Hon. Henry T. Blow came and quickly caught the inspiration. He took the place of the fallen brother, leaned for support and counsel upon the same faithful breast. Judge Hersey was made Superintendent then (we believe in 1866). An experience of then more than thirty years in mining, had made his judgement almost unerring. He formed his opinions intuitively, and they were seldom erroneous. He was prompt and decisive, but always dignified and courteous, even under the most difficult and trying circumstances, and ready humor and repartee were foils skillfully used by him to parry any rough assault or ward off any unpleasant altercation. His knowledge of men was almost as profound as his skills in the mines. Under his superintendency and wonderful energy of the President, Henry T. Blow, the Granby Company from 1866 to 1875, extended its base of operations to Joplin, Oronogo and Morgan County; in fact wherever rich lead-bearing lands in the State could be obtained, thorough and careful research was made to determine their value and secure them by purchase if desired. Judge Hersey's judgement was largely relied upon in there examinations and negotiations, and they extended over a large scope of territory in Missouri as well as Arkansas.
But we knew the Judge best right at home among neighbors, friends and acquaintances, among all the miners and all the people--with the little children, too, for no place was he so brilliant, so illustrious as when he gave one of his Christmas parties or Christmas trees, and leaded down a whole troop of little folks with toys and presents. His face on such occasions was radiant with happiness; and besides, he had a habit of putting his hand in his pocket on an appeal for charity, and taking it out to most excellent purpose. He knew the blessing of giving.
But this sketch will exceed our limits unless we hasten. The death of Hon. Henry T. Blow a year and a half ago (1875] was a severe shock to us all. to the Judge it was almost benumbing. He never seemed just the same afterward. One by one those noble brothers had fallen by his side. Of the old Granby Company he alone was the sole land-mark or witness tree left. He braved the storms but a year or two longer. Faithful to the last he stood at his post. With no divided allegiance, he stood by the Granby Mining and Smelting Company and the mines and miners to the end. We know the regard, the affection, in which Granby Company held Judge Hersey--the fidelity, truth and integrity with which he endowed it with his ripest and best years, and the entire trust and confidence reposed in him by the Company as an officer and a man.
Yesterday the commanding and noble form, so familiar, so regarded by us all, was borne with fitting tokens of love, to the little cemetery, where he requested it should be laid to rest. The request was most fit. Granby was entirely his home. He loved her people, her hills and dales, and every shaft and tree, house and cabin were all his friends, and his memory as a just and good man shall remain green in Granby always.

Contributed on 9/29/13 by tslundberg
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Record #: 742982

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