From the Lafayette Advertiser of November 2nd, 1901: BENJAMIN FALK PASSES AWAY. Monday morning our community was terribly shocked to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Benjamin Falk, one of the leading and most prominent men of Lafayette. The previous afternoon, Mr. Falk had attended the Fair at Scott, and had returned home in apparent good health. There was a family gathering at his home, as was usual on Sunday evenings, and he had taken part in the best of spirits. About 10 oclock he retired to his room to rest. In about half an hour Mrs. Falk went in to see about him and found him breathing hard and evidently unwell. She tried to awaken him, but not succeeding, immediately sent for a physician, but before he arrived, Mr. Falk was beyond aid. Mr. Falk was a native of Germany, but has been a resident of Lafayette since 1871, and during his long residence here had built up an extensive mercantile business. He was also largely interested in other business enterprises and was at the time of his death one of our wealthiest and most substantial men. In his death Lafayette loses one of her most enterprising and progressive citizens. Mr. Falk was ever ready to contribute and lend his personal aid to any move tending to build up his adopted town, and cheerfully and willingly discharged with zeal and faithfulness all the duties of a private citizen. When honored by his fellow townsmen, he was elected to the office of town Councilor, which office he held at the time of his death, he was distinguished at all times by his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. As a private citizen, Mr. Falk was liked and respected by every one, and many can testify to his large heartedness, his generosity, and his numerous acts of unostentatious charity. The needy, the poor, those in distress, never appealed to him in vain. He used his wealth, not selfishly, but kindly and freely to aid the deserving. Well, can it be said, that a noble life has passed into the great beyond to receive its reward. As a husband and father, Mr. Falk was loving, kind, and indulgent. It was indeed in his home, in his family, that his noblest and sweetest traits were shown. Love ruled his home, and the deep respect and affection of his step-children testify eloquently to his goodness and worth. The funeral which took place Monday afternoon was the largest ever seen in Lafayette. The Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Honor, all of which he was an esteemed member, and the Fire Department of which he was Assistant Chief, all accompanied the remains in a body to their last resting place. The funeral cortege left the home of the deceased at 4 p. m. and proceeded to the synagogue, where religious services were held by Rabbi Loucht of New Orleans. From there the body was borne to its last resting place in the Hebrew cemetery. After the conclusion of the religious services at the grave Rev. C. C. Wier spoke for the K. of P. and paid high tribute to the worth of their deceased brother. Mr. O. C. Mouton made a few touching remarks in behalf of the A. O. U. W. This concluded the ceremonies. To the bereaved family, the Advertiser offers its deepest sympathy and trusts that the great Father whose tender mercy shields all will give them consolation. Lafayette Advertiser 11/2/1901. From the Lafayette Gazette of November 2nd, 1901: NECROLOGICAL. Benjamin Falk. Mr. Benjamin Falk died at his home in this town last Sunday night at 10 oclock. His death was very sudden. He was well during the day, and in the afternoon drove to Scott to attend the fair. At night he retired at the usual time and seemed to be in splendid health, but at 10 oclock he was dead. Mr. Falk came to Lafayette in 1871 from Germany where he was born in the year 1853. When he settled in Lafayette he was a youth with little or no knowledge of his adopted country, but, possessing an unusually quick mind, he soon became familiar with its language and customs. At the time of his death he spoke French and English with considerable fluency. After his arrival here he entered a mercantile firm as a clerk, but being economical and industrious he soon accumulated enough money to go into business for himself. He was unusually successful as a business man and until his death he was prominently identified with the commercial life of the community. Being a man of untiring energy he was engaged in the management of several local firms. Though nearly all his time was devoted to his large interests he was an active member of the City Council and of a number of benevolent societies. He was an enthusiastic fireman and a few months ago was elected assistant chief of the fire department. He attended all the meetings of the fire company and was ever a congenial spirit at the social gatherings of the firemen. Mr. Falk was a member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias, A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor. He was an officer in these societies the members of which esteemed him highly. Mr. Falk was a popular man as was shown by the large number of people who attended his funeral. Considering the humble start in life and the fair measure of success which he achieved through his own unaided efforts, and the evidences that he has been sincerely mourned by many of his fellow-citizens, it is safe to say that he possessed in a marked degree the elements of personal worth. He was a follower of the Jewish religion and his remains were taken to the synagogue where the funeral rites of that faith were performed by Dr. Leucht of New Orleans, who delivered an eloquent eulogy on the life of the deceased. The vast concourse of people who accompanied the dead to his last earthly home attested the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he had spent thirty years of his life. The following organizations, of which the deceased was a member, attended the obsequies: Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Fire Company No. 1, Home Fire Company and Lafayette Hook and Ladder Company. The remains were interred in Jewish cemetery. At the grave Rev. C. C. Weir and Mr. Wm. Alexander spoke on behalf of the Knights of Pythias and Mr. C. O. Mouton expressed of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Lafayette Gazette 11/2/1901.
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