Advertisement
Advertisement
A photo of George Lawrence Benning

George Lawrence Benning 1898 - 1946

George Lawrence Benning of Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington United States was born on April 21, 1898 in Boone, Boone County, IA to Immogene Nelson (Millard) Benning and William Joseph Benning. He had siblings Walter Joseph Benning, Lloyd Harold Benning, Lois (Benning) Los Kamp, Nelson William Benning, Henry Clay Benning, Walter J. Benning, Cora Mary Benning, Mabel Benning, and Grace Benning. George was baptized on February 9, 1908 at Mesa Baptist Church in Pueblo, CO County. He married Mildred (Wilson) Benning in 1922 and they later divorced in 1926. They had a child Lois (Benning) Ewen. He married Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning on September 29, 1928 in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, and they were married until George's death on August 23, 1946. They had a child Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch.
George Lawrence Benning
Georgie
Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington United States
April 21, 1898
Boone, Boone County, Iowa, 50036, United States
August 23, 1946
Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington, United States of America
Male
Looking for another George Benning?
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers George.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

George Lawrence Benning's History: 1898 - 1946

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
  • Introduction

    George Lawrence Benning was born to William Joseph Benning (1852 - 1930) and Imogene N. (Millard) Benning (1854 - 1916) in Boone, Iowa. He had 12 siblings: Nelson, Henry, Lois, Cora, Walter Joseph, Isaac, Grace, Arthur, Mabel and Lloyd. He was the youngest. George was married twice and in his second marriage to Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning had Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch. He also had a daughter, Lois (Benning) Ewen, from his first marriage to Mildred (Wilson) Benning. His second family lived first in Seattle, then Portland, then in Bremerton Washington, a small port town which grew during WW2. He owned the Chevrolet car dealership in Bremerton. George and Micky Reed, the owner of the Reed Chevrolet dealership in Bremerton Washington, were on a local river fishing trip and Micky drowned. Micky's widow, Meeka (who I, his granddaughter knew, since she and my grandmother were friends until they died), sold the dealership to George. He called it Reed-Benning dealership as an homage to Micky. Chevrolet didn't like the fact that a woman (oh lordy, a WOMAN!) sold the dealership on her own so they made new rules. The upshot? When George, my grandfather, died, my grandmother couldn't sell the dealership! He was very active in the business, social and political components of the community. I know that he was a Freemason and that he had some strong relationships with State politicians. (Note from his granddaughter: George was good friends with Warren Magnuson, first a US Representative and then a US Senator. Evidently, he used to spend summers at my grandparent's house - I saw a letter of condolence from him to my grandmother when George died, expressing how much he would miss George and referencing the wonderful summers he spent at their house. Also in their social circle? Names that you would recognize today: the Gates' - yes, that Bill Gates family - the Nordstroms , and more. The Seattle/Bremerton community was small then.) One cool story about George: He had a bit of real estate in Bremerton and rented two (?) homes to his employees. Upon George's death his will stipulated that the deeds to the homes get passed along to the employees. Also, the story my Mom (his daugher) told me about the homes - the people weren't employees but simply people who lived in Bremerton at the time. Since George was a Mason, he was also involved in charitable activities. Mom said that no one (including family) knew that he had bought (I heard 3) houses for people who had problems paying rent and were going to be evicted. (This was probably around the end of the Depression.) He didn't charge the tenants rent and when he died (within a few years), he left the homes to the tenants. However, my sister (who says she has a copy of George's will), says that she can find no record of this.
  • 04/21
    1898

    Birthday

    April 21, 1898
    Birthdate
    Boone, Boone County, Iowa 50036, United States
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Although his Benning family emigrated to the US from Germany (northern) during the 1840s, his mother's side (Millard) traces back to the Mayflower. Also, some from that side were in North America earlier - around 1605. That many times grt grandfather was a captain with the Dutch East India Company and he and his family settled here.
  • Nationality & Locations

    George was a United States citizen. Born in Iowa, George lived in Colorado as a child. After World War 1, he lived in Alaska, and then eventually moved to Seattle, Washington. He then lived in Portland, Oregon and settled in Bremerton Washington as an adult.
  • Early Life & Education

    George completed the 8th grade. His granddaughter shares: As a child of the 1950s, I thought everyone graduated high school and almost everyone in my family and extended family attended college. Turns out that I was the ignorant one. When George was a child, graduation from 8th grade was the normal end of education. Some went to college (and my own grandmother, who was 10 years younger and his wife, graduated high school) but that was the exception, not the rule. George demonstrated that he was smart and very good at business and my mom said "his handwriting was beautiful."
  • 02/9
    1908

    Baptism

    February 9, 1908
    Baptism date
    Mesa Baptist Church in Pueblo, CO County
    Place of worship
  • Religious Beliefs

    George was a non-practicing Baptist. He was heavily involved with Freemasonry and active with his blue lodge which requires a belief in a higher power.
  • Military Service

    Navy in WW1 Military ID# 1114953 George enlisted in the Navy in Denver, Colorado on April 16, 1917. His profession was listed as 'clerk' and he had been living at 725 B Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo, Co at time of his enlistment. His father, William Benning, is listed as his next of kin and he was residing at 331 W. Adams Ave., Pueblo, CO. George's pay per month once in the Navy started at $17...his paperwork states that he was 21 years, 11 months old; he was 5 ft. 6 1/2 inches tall, had medium brown hair, ruddy complexion and blue eyes. He had an inch long mark on his right breast, and his finger prints are on the paperwork. In June, 1917, George was in the hospital and was stationed at the Naval Station in San Francisco from 1917 to 1918. Feb. 4, 1918 George opted to take $5,000 in life insurance while at the US Naval Training Station in San Francisco, CA. The life Insurance was noted to go to his father, William. Note: The Navy listed his date of birth as 4/25/1895 and George verified that was accurate... We have no idea why he lied as he was really almost 20 when he enlisted. November 26, 1917, George was rated a Storekeeper 3rd class, and rated "Very good" on all of his test scores... May 7, 1918...qualified as Store Keeper 2nd class...received "very good's"on all scores... June 30, 1918 George was in Mare Island, CA and finally assigned to the USS Saturn until discharged in 1919... From Dec. 30, 1918 to Jan. 12, 1919 stationed at Vladivostok, Russia...rated Chief Storekeeper in 1919...rated Chief Yeoman in May 1919... making $60 per month at this point... July 19, 1919 Honorable Discharge at Mare Island, CA ...by Special Order , Secretary of the Navy.....requested mileage to Portland, Oregon, which George notes as his "place of enlistment" (tho it wasn't...). However, gives his PO address after discharge as 150 17th Ave., San Francisco, CA (his sister Lois' address...) He was recommended for the Good Conduct Medal and for reenlistment, if he chose to do so.... USS Saturn (1898-1922, later AG-4) USS Saturn, a 4840-ton collier, was built in 1890 at Wilmington, Delaware, for commercial use. Purchased by the Navy in April 1898, she carried coal to U.S. ships in the West Indies area during the Spanish-American War. In 1916-21, Saturn was mainly employed as a radio support ship in Alaskan waters, but carried coal, cargo and radio gear to Siberia in late 1918. Reclassified AG-4 in 1920, she decommissioned in March 1922 and was sold in September of that year. Saturn departed Bremerton on 2 September 1916 for Sitka, Alaska, to operate as a tender and relay ship for radio communication between Alaska and bases on the United States west coast. She cruised extensively in waters of the North Pacific and was placed in full commission on 4 April 1917 upon United States entry into World War I. She called frequently at Seward, Sitka, Tatoosh, Ketchikan, and Dutch Harbor, insuring continuous communications between the continental United States and the Alaska Territory. During November 1918, Saturn was assigned special duty carrying coal and supplies to the United States Expeditionary Force at Vladivostok, Russia, during the Russian Civil War and large-scale Japanese intervention. She departed Vladivostok on 12 January 1919 and proceeded homeward via Olongapo, Philippine Islands; Guam; and Pearl Harbor, arriving on 25 February at Mare Island Navy Yard. Saturn resumed duty as a communications link between Alaska and the continental United States, with occasional additional duty as a radio repair ship. She was classified AG-4 as a miscellaneous auxiliary on 17 July 1920. Honorable Discharge: George Lawrence Benning, 1114953, Chief Yeoman is honorably discharged from the USS Saturn and from the Naval Service of the United States, this 19th day of July, 1919 at Mare Island, California.....if within four months from this date the said Geo. L. Benning shall present this, his Honorable Discharge, at any United States Naval Rendezvous, and is found physically qualified, and shall re enlist for four years, then he shall be entitled to pay during the said four months equal to that to which he would have been entitled had he been employed in actual service...rating last qualified to fill, Chief Yeoman... (back of form) Geo. L. Benning , rate: Lds Yeo, enlisted April 16th, 1917 at Denver, Colo for 4 years; total naval service 2 yrs, 3 months; trade: clerk; citizenship: US; ratings held during enlistment Lds Yeo; App Sea; S.K. 3cl; S.K. 2cl; Chief Storekeeper; Chief Yeoman; Proficiency Rating: 3.90; Sobriety 4.0; Obedience 4.0 ; Average standing for term of enlistment, 3.97; Where born: Boone, Iowa; Date: April 25, 1895 (wrong year); Age 24 yrs, I month; Height 5 ft 6 1/2 inches; Weight, 142 lbs; Eyes, blue; Hair, Med. Brown; Complexion, Ruddy... Personal characteristics, marks, etc. m-in r breast; burk in-l knee; p.s. back r-arm.... War Service Certificate United States Navy: This certifies that George Lawrence Benning (#11149531) Chief Yeoman, performed honorable active service in the United States Navy from April 16, 1917 to November 11, 1918 on board the following ships and stations: US Naval Training Station, San Francisco, CA; Rec. Ship, Mare Island, California; USS Saturn...
  • Professional Career

    During his youth, he worked for the railroad as a clerk. Later he became a car salesman, then a sales manager, and then owned a Chevrolet dealership.
  • Personal Life & Family

    George was married twice. He met his second wife through work; a 19 year old Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning who worked as a stenographer for him when he served as general manager at the Seattle Chevrolet dealership of Captain C.H. Wells in 1927. George was a 32nd degree Mason and was going to become a 33rd degree Mason, but he died before his induction. He was also President of the Chamber of Commerce in Bremerton Washington. He was a very talented musician. According to his granddaughter: I'm told that he could play any percussion instrument. I've heard from several people who knew him that his piano playing skills were incredible. But he couldn't read music - he simply could play any song he heard by ear. When Phil Harris' band was playing in the area, he was always asked to sit in with the band. And when the family visited New Orleans (circa 1940), Grandma and George went to Bourbon St at night, and he sat in with bands in all of the nightspots. I sure wish that musical skills were inherited - although my son and I love music, we aren't musicians. Maybe his son will be? :)
  • 08/23
    1946

    Death

    August 23, 1946
    Death date
    He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and was treated for it for at least a year before he died.
    Cause of death
    Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington United States of America
    Death location
  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    Forest Lawn Cemetery 5409 Kitsap Way, in Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington 98312, United States
    Burial location
  • Obituary

    The following obituary was published in the Bremerton Sun (Bremerton Washington) on August 1946: : Geo. Benning, Auto Dealer, passes at 49: A heroic but futile struggle to regain his health ended this morning at 5:30 o'clock when George L. Benning, head of the Reed-Benning Chevrolet Co., died at the Harrison Memorial hospital. He was 49. Mr. Benning, known as an always jovial gentleman by hundreds of Kitsap County folk, fell seriously ill of an internal ailment several weeks ago. When he failed to respond to treatment here, he was taken by plane to the Mayo clinic at Rochester, MN, a month ago and an operation was performed there. Returning home, Mr. Benning made steady strides toward recovery for a few days but then suffered a relapse and that was followed by his death today. He came here in December 1939, from Portland, to become manager of the then Reed Chevrolet Co. Its founder, MK Reed, had died a few months previously. In 1940, Mr. Benning purchased the controlling interest in the corporation from Mrs. Meeka Reed Vodila, widow of the founder, and the name was changed to the Reed-Benning Chevrolet Co. Mr. Benning was highly regarded by his employees and by business competitors and associates.
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

48 Memories, Stories & Photos about George

George Lawrence Benning
George Lawrence Benning
Article in Spokane Newspaper, April 14, 1926:
George Benning, New Chevrolet Sales Manager
Date & Place:
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
George Benning's Estate Settled
Sep 13, 1945 Bremerton Sun Newspaper:

"An estate estimated at $35,000 has been left by the late George L. Benning, according to a petition filed in court for probate of his will. An insurance policy for $15,000 was also listed on the petition.
Heirs named in the will of the former head of the Reed-Benning Chevrolet Co., include the widow, Constance Benning and two daughters, Joyce 16, and Lois Jean Benning Ewen, 24, of Coronado, Calif."
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
According to what I found on google, that’s about $855,000 in 2023 dollars. But of course, that doesn’t include the dealership? According to Mom, Chevy took control of the dealership.
Traveling in Alaska, Settles in Oregon
Jan 23, 1922 Juneau Empire Newspaper:
"George Benning, chief musician at Anchorage and traveling auditor of the Alaskan Engineering Commission, passed through Juneau yesterday morning on the Victoria en route to Portland to visit with his wife. He will return North in 30 days."

March 8, 1922 Juneau Empire Newspaper:
"Heavy Travel North Expected This Year
George L. Benning, traveling auditor of the Government Railroad, with his headquarters at Anchorage, passed through Juneau last night on the Northwestern after a visit of two months in Portland. Mrs. Benning and the baby will come north in about six weeks.
Mr. Benning, like other Alaskans, says it is hard 'scratching' in the States and Northerners do not know how fortunate they are to be in the land of 'no troubles.' Mr. Benning predicts a heavy tourist travel to the North this season and looks for exceedingly heavy travel over the Government Railroad to the interior."

May 29, 1922 Cordova Daily Times:
"Geo. L. Benning, formerly with the accounting department of the Engineering Commission at Anchorage was in town Saturday night, en route to Portland, where he will be associated with the Long-Bell Lumber Company."

June 1, 1922 Juneau Empire Newspaper:
"George L. Benning, for the past few years traveling auditor for the Alaska Railway, was a passenger south on the Alameda, having resigned, and will locate to Kelso with a large lumber company."
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Wedding of George Benning and Mildred Wilson
Feb. 3, 1921 The Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"A pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Jones of Anchorage on Wednesday morning at eight o'clock, February the second when Miss Mildred Wilson, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Wilson of Portland, Oregon became the bride of Mr. Geo. L. Benning of Anchorage, Rev. Father Markam reading the services in the presence of a small assembly of relatives and close friends. The rooms were prettily decorated with a profusion of evergreens and potted plants. The bride looked charming in a traveling suit of brown Boliva cloth with hat to match. After the ceremony a delightful wedding breakfast was served. Mr. and Mrs. Benning left on the morning train for the Woodrow bungalow for a week's wedding journey. Mrs. Benning was born in Louisville, Kentucky and is a graduate of one of the select private schools of that place and is a fine musician. Later on she moved to Portland with her parents, where they now reside. Mrs. Benning arrived in Seward last summer on a visit to her cousin, Mrs. Eric Lucas, where she made herself very popular with the younger set of the town. Mr. George Benning is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Benning of Colorado and will be remembered as the popular yeoman on the USS Saturn the Radio supply ship during the war.
Mr. Benning having become so favorably impressed with the Golden North, returned at the end of the war to accept a position in the Store Department of the Alaska Engineering Com., where he is now employed as auditor. Mr. and Mrs. Benning will return to Anchorage where they will be at home to their many friends."
Feb. 1821 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"The Gateway Flier left Anchorage this morning on schedule time with approximately forty passengers bound for Seward. Among the passengers are Mr. and Mrs. George L. Benning who were married yesterday at Anchorage.
Mrs. Benning who will be remembered by her many Seward friends as Miss Mildred Wilson returned recently from the States.
Prior to her trip outside Mrs. Benning was in the auditing department of the A.E.C. Mr. Benning is well known in Seward. At present he is with the Supply division of the A.E.C. They will make their home at Woodrow."
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Jazz Pianist
George died at the young age 49 when our mother was only 15, and even though we didn't know him, we heard a lot of stories about his life.
I was always fascinated that George was known for his piano playing and the fact that he was self-taught. George had 3 older sisters that taught piano lessons, but always were confounded that they couldn't teach their baby brother a darn note. However, they learned that George's inability to read music didn't impede his ability to play any song he liked, and what he liked the most, was jazz.
Our mother talked about our grandparents spending time inside the renowned jazz clubs in the French Quarter of New Orleans. One night they were out until dawn, as George was asked to come on stage and play with whichever group was entertaining that night- at numerous clubs. He also accompanied Mary Martin when she starred in the show Peter Pan, on stage in Portland in the 1920's. The stories were vast, and quite amazing. When the family settled in Bremerton in the 1940's, George continued entertaining his friends at home, at the Masonic Temple, at the Elks Club, or wherever there was an available piano!
George passed his piano talent down to his daughter, our mother. Often, when she was practicing and hit a 'wrong' note, he would call out the correct note to her from another room. Mom used to entertain us with the "Flight of the Bumblebee", which she learned from her dad.
So, I was really surprised that George's piano talent entertained and gave him quite a reputation during WWI, not only on his ship the UUS Saturn, but also when the ship docked in Seward, Alaska:
Aug. 27, 1918 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"The musicale and dance given last night at the A.B. Hall as a benefit for the Seward General Hospital was an artistic success from a musical standpoint and enjoyable as to the dancing. Erich Lucas gave three selections most creditably; George Benning, a piano selection and responded to an encore, both thoroughly enjoyable..."
June 27, 1919 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"The USS Saturn with many of the old jazz officers and men aboard as well as a large number of new officers and men who will be just as popular as those who have been transferred, arrived in port shortly after eight o'clock this morning and tied up at the Seward dock...The USS Saturn has always been a popular craft in Seward principally because the men have been a good jolly bunch and the citizens of Seward have come right back of them in the same "glad you are here" spirit and "make yourselves at home even if it is at our homes"....there is a jazz orchestra, several entertainers and a baseball nine-the members of which never say quit...George Benning, one of the musicians with the old crew is back again and he plays piano in the jazz orchestra with O.K. Hodges, drummer, and bandmaster Ensign Prior on other instruments.."
June 30, 1919 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"The music struck up and the big indoor dance started....Miss Wilson (George's future first wife), Mrs. Towle, Dr. Nearing, 'Jazz' Jackson and Erich Lucas entertain with songs...George Benning and drummer Hodges, of the Saturn's Orchestra enlivened the dance by special jazz music."
Dec. 31. 1919 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"GEORGE BENNING WILL BE MUSICIAN AT LIBERTY....George L. Benning, the popular jazz player and musician, has been engaged by the management of the Liberty Theater as pianist. Mr. Benning starts on his duties tomorrow night."
July 31, 1919 Seward Gateway Newspaper:
"George L. Benning is a passenger on the Northwestern. Mr. Benning was the jazz pianist aboard the USS Saturn and has undoubtedly secured his discharge from the radio-navy force and is coming to Seward to reside."
After his discharge from the navy, George's 'side' music career continued:
Jan. 15, 1921 Seward Gateway newspaper:
"Miss Thelma Ellsworth the talented young lady, who has been supplying Seward with music for the past two years, in connection with Mrs. A.H. McNeer, also prominent in music circles, disposed of her drums, xylophone and bells to Mr. George Benning of Anchorage...."
Remembering our grandfather fondly, and that he touched so many people with his music ability.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Impact of George's death
My great-grandfather was only a handful of years older than me when he passed away at 48. His daughter, my grandmother, was only 16 at the time.

His passing was an event that significantly impacted my grandmother and my great grandmother. I've heard that grandma had a hard time after he died....like a crushing blow. She admired him like many daughters admire their father.

My great grandmother remarried a couple years later and that husband died within 2 years. She remarried a third time a few years later, and this husband died within a decade.

My mother once asked g-grandma why she didn't marry again and she said she simply could not handle another husband dying.

As a father myself I can begin to paint a picture of what the impact of me dying so young would do to my family.

George was successful both with business and relationships. He impacted the lives of those around him. But he died too young before he was able to fully realize the benefits of his life and prepare his immediate family and future generations with security.

What a different world it would have been had he passed away just a few decades later.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

George Benning's Family Tree & Friends

Marriage

Mildred (Wilson) Benning

&

George Lawrence Benning

1922
Marriage date
Divorce
Cause of Separation
1926
Divorce date
Marriage

Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning

&

George Lawrence Benning

September 29, 1928
Marriage date
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington United States
Marriage location
George's Death
Cause of Separation
August 23, 1946
George's death date
George was Eileen's first husband. She lost three husbands back to back.
Notes
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

George's Friends

Friends of George Friends can be as close as family. Add George's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
9 Followers & Sources
Loading records
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Back to Top