Benjamin L. "Ben" Lynch (1882-1955)

1904/5 football team

"SMITTY" IS DEAD

"Smitty," the much prized dog belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lynch, met with a fatal accident on Monday when the town truck struck him. The dog was in the street and did not see the truck and was killed instantly. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch prized the dog very highly and it was a great shock to them when he met his untimely death.

LOWELL INSURANCE MAN 45 YEARS

Ben Lynch started selling life insurance in 1905 and drove out into the country calling on farmers in a buggy. He had already had his first auto ride in Crown Pointer Julian Youche's car the year before, and although he took on a fire insurance line, almost 10 years passed before he became agent for an auto insurance company. Ben says it was certainly hard to sell life insurance in those days but he kept on with it to become his company's top agent in 1927 with sales of more than a half million in life insurance that year.

Ben was born at Cedar Lake in 1882, year before his folks moved to a farm at the north edge of Lowell. His father, Dan, had sold the Cedar Lake property to Billy Surprise, who named it Surprise park

Ben attended Lowell grade school and high school after the family moved into town upon Dan's becoming postmaster. In 1903 and 1904 he attended the University of Wisconsin, where Ralph Gromann of Crown Point and Ben were Phi Delta Theta fraternity brothers and Julian Youche a Phi Gamma Delta.

Ben married Persis Pryse, Latin and English teacher at Lowell, the year he started in business. She was killed in the automobile accident in which Ben was badly injured in 1934.

Returning from a short stay in California to Lowell, his birthplace, Loyal "Ty" Alyea was taken into the Lynch agency after two years of Navy service during World War II. "Ty" takes care of the business now so Ben is free to spend his summers in Lowell and his winters at Pompano Beach, Florida, where he goes with Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Van Borstel of Cedar Lake.

Lynch Insurance Agency Observes Golden Anniversary

The Ben Lynch Insurance Agency, 401 East Commercial Avenue, is the recipient of congratulations as it marks its 50th successful year.

Ben Lynch, as a highly esteemed Lowell youth possessing foresight for success, started selling life insurance in 1905, and a few years later, added fire insurance to his line. Then, about 10 years hence, he became an agent in a new field -- auto insurance.

Fifty years ago, few people realized the value of insurance, and selling wasn't easy, but then, selling was a talent inbred in the Lynch family. From an old paper, dated June22, 1872, we read that the Lowell Grange met and formulated plans for the organization of a Farmer's Insurance Co. John Lynch (Ben's uncle), represented the Aetna Ins. Co., "and could talk the business like a veteran." John was outstandingly successful in merchandising, farming, and banking here.

The Lynch family had its origin in Ireland. Ben's grandparents, Daniel and Mary Lynch, and eldest son, John, set sail from Cork in 1836, for America. They went to Joliet, Ill., but after a few weeks came to this vicinity, and settled on the east bluff above Cedar Creek (near where the Robert Black home now stands). Daniel died in February 1843, five months before the birth of his son, Daniel, father of Ben. Young Daniel served four years in the Civil War. He married Ada Starr, and for a short time they resided at Cedar Lake, where Ben was born in 1882. A year later, Dan sold his land to William Surprise, who developed the property into Surprise Park. Dan and family moved to a farm at the north edge of Lowell.

Ben attended Lowell grade school and high school, after the family moved into town upon Dan's becoming postmaster. In 1903 and 1904, Ben attended the University of Wisconsin, where he was affiliated with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

In 1905, the year Ben started in business, he married Persia* Pryse, Latin and English teacher at Lowell high school. She was killed in 1934 in an auto accident in which Ben was badly injured. In 1927, with sales of more than a half million in life insurance, Ben became his company's top agent.

For the past ten years Ben has spent the winter seasons at Pompano Beach, Florida, where he goes with the A. Von Borstels of Cedar Lake.

Ben leaves the management of the agency to the competent supervision of his nephew, Loyal "Ty" Alyea.

At the close of World War II, having served two years with the Navy, "Ty" returned to Lowell, his birthplace, from Santa Monica, California, where his mother, Mrs. Orlo (Ruby Lynch) Alyea,, resides.

Far more than just a prominent and successful businessman, "Ty" is a community leader. His enthusiasm for civic improvement is contagious. Twice elected Commander of the Lowell Legion Post 101, it was through his efforts that a large grant from the W. Faye Lynch estate was obtained, to make possible the construction of Lowell's fine community building. "Ty" worked indefatigably for the success of Lowell's memorable Centennial Celebration in 1952. He helped organize, and served as first president of the Commercial club of Lowell. Interested in P.T.A. and school improvement, "Ty" served on the Citizens' Committee and last fall was elected to the Cedar Creek Township Advisory Board.

Interested in sports, "Ty" has spent countless hours supervising boys' baseball at Oakland Park, throughout many summer.

"Ty" and his wife, "Cotty," the former Catherine Fisher, of Eagle Creek township, have three young sons and a daughter.

* NOTE -- Most articles name Benjamin Lynch's wife as "Persis Pryse" rather than "Persia Pryse."