William S. Benefiel, born 1858, Boone County, Indiana, son of William Harvey
  Benefiel, born 1837, Boone County, Indiana, and Amanda Jane Ryker, born in 
  Jefferson County, Indiana. His two sisters, Elizabeth Ellen (Thomas) and
  Margaret Jane Benefiel were also born in Boone County, Indiana.
     Father, William H. Benefiel, was a Civil War Veteran with Company B, 154th
  regiment, Indiana Volunteers, Lafayette, Indiana.
     They all moved to Linn County, Missouri (near Linneaus) in 1870, where they
  acquired farm land.
     February 19, 1880, William S. married Lucy Bell Schrock, born in Sullivan 
  County, Missouri. Their children were: Maude D., Clarence Cecil, William
  Frederick, Raymond Schrock; all were born in Linn County.
     In 1902 William H. and son, William S., moved with their families to Medicine
  Lodge. Before choosing Medicine Lodge as the new home, William H. looked around
  in southeastern Kansas. Undecided, he came to Barber County and preferred this
  location. William S. and his father acquired land near Pixley and southeast of
  Medicine Lodge.
     In 1903 they purchased the Hall Hardware. It was located in the present site
  of Forsyth Furniture. Shortly after they built and occupied the store which is
  now the Wright Brothers Hardware. They also owned al the block north of the store.
  The business was operated continuously from that time, until it sold in 1959 upon
  retirement of the three sons who had run the sotre with and after their father
  died in 1931, age 73. During this time the store was a John Deere Implement Agency,
  and there was a plumbing business and tin shop added.
     They were instrumental with oterhs in organizing and operating the People Oil
  and Gas Company, a locally owned distributor of gasoline, oil and fuel.
     Mrs. William S. (Lucy) Benefiel died in 1941. Margaret Jane Benefiel died in
  1944; Maude D. in 1948; William Frederick, in 1966; Mrs. William F. (Laura) Benefiel
  in 1971; Mrs. Clarence (Nelly McCoy) Benefiel in 1971; Clarence C. in 1976.
     All were active in the Presbyterian Church, social and civic organizations of
  Medicine Lodge.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 103