Sheriff Benjamin Franklin Marsh was born July 6, 1890, and died on March 4, 1934. He is buried in Union Cemetery in Springfield. He was Effingham County’s Sheriff from the 1925 election until his death. A new jail (the present Effingham Museum – on the National Register of Historic Places at 1002 N. Pine St. in Springfield) was being built when he died.  Hubert O. Carr was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the sheriff’s office.   

The following is from an article from the newspaper on March 5, 1934:
Died in Savannah Yesterday Morning
Sheriff Marsh has Passed Away
Death Unexpected Following Operation Here
His Funeral Today (March 5, 1934)
Was Effingham Sheriff since 1925 Election

Benjamin Franklin Marsh, sheriff of Effingham County, died at 5:05 o’clock yesterday morning in a local hospital after an illness lasting only a few days. He was taken ill at his home in Springfield on Tuesday, and, though his condition was not thought to be serious, it was thought best to bring him to Savannah for treatment.

He entered a Savannah hospital on Thursday. Friday afternoon his condition was reported unchanged but still not thought to be serious, although it was thought likely that he would undergo an operation. An operation was performed on Saturday and apparently was successful. The sheriff seemingly headed for recovery. A turn for the worse was seen in his condition late Saturday night and he continued sinking until his death early Sunday morning.

Sheriff Marsh was a native of Screven County, having been born July 6, 1890. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Lela York Marsh: two sons, James F. Marsh of Fort Screven and Eugene L. A. Marsh of Springfield: two daughters, Miss Christine Marsh and Miss Ruth Marsh of Springfield: his mother, Mrs. E. P. Smith of Springfield: one sister, Mrs. S. L. Nesbit, of Jackson, Miss, and one brother, E. H. Marsh of Screven County.

Sheriff Marsh was elected sheriff of Effingham County in 1925 and had continually served the county in that capacity until his death. At the time of his death the sheriff was serving his third consecutive term.

Sheriff Marsh served the county faithfully and diligently.  He also was a member in fraternities in this section and a member of the Springfield Baptist Church. The sheriff held membership in the Guyton Lodge No. 428, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Guyton Lodge No. 252, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Officers and members of the Masons will conduct Masonic services at the grave.

Funeral services will be held this morning at 11:30 o’clock at the Springfield Baptist Church and will be conducted by Rev. Lloyd Garland, pastor of the church, and Rev. Lon L. Day of Brooklet. Burial will be in the Kieffer Cemetery (now Union) at Springfield. Fox and Weeks are in charge of the funeral arrangements.

The body was taken from Savannah to the residence yesterday afternoon and it will remain there until shortly before the funeral hour.

The honorary pallbearers will be: A. E. Graham, H. N. Ramsey, Dr. B. P. Powers, P. D. Shearouse, F. R. Rountree, U. L. Ellzey, W. G. Wilson, and B. W. Burney.  The active pallbearers will be: Paul Tilman, F. W. Hodges, J. C. Varnell, Bartow Reiser, E. B. Mingledorff and W. C. Sweat, Jr.

This article was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. Do you know any other information about Sheriff Marsh? If you have comments, photos or items to share please call her at 754-6681 or email: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org