Benham Family History & Genealogy

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Florence CHAMPLAIN and Pauline BENHAM of Portland, OR which was taken at the Cousin Studio in Portland sometime in the late 1890’s or early 1900’s. The two appear to be in their teens at the time the photograph was taken. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding these two women and their families:

Florence CHAMPLAIN was b. 1887 and married Frank H. IRWIN (1881-1941). Florence died 27 Mar 1968 and is buried in the River View Cemetery in Portland, OR.

Pauline BENHAM was b. 24 Oct 1882 in Portland, OR and was married to W. L. JOHNSON. She died 6 Aug 1921 in Humboldt County, CA on board the steamer “Alaska” which sank of the coast of California and is buried in the Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum in Portland, OR. Probate Court records list her Mother as Mrs. Ella May HUTCHINSON and notes that her husband was killed as well when the steamship sank. Her husband was identified in records as an invalid at the time. The couple owned property in Tillamook County, OR at the time of their death.

Census records provide the following details:

1900 census of Portland, OR:

Ella BENHAM, age 40, born Feb 1860, divorced after 20 years, 2 children/2 living, born IA, parents born NY/WA
Pauline BENHAM, dau, age 19, born Oct 1881, born IL, parents born IA/IN
Author A. BENHAM, son, age 17, born Oct 1883, born OR, parents born IA, a Shipping Clerk
Martha MORRIS, mother, age 70, born Oct 1830, born IN, parents born IN/IA

Josiah ATKINSAN, age 77, born Feb 1823, married 24 years, born VT, parents born England, a Capitalist
Jennie ATKINSAN, wife, age 42, born Mar 1858, married 24 years, 4 children/3 living, born CA, parents born Scotland
Florence CHAMPLAIN, step-dau, age 17, born Dec 1882, born OR, parents born MA/CA

1910 census of Portland, OR:

Joseph M. ARTHUR, age 51, 1st marriage 21 years, born WI, parents born IA/WI, a Machinery Merchant
Amelia A. ARTHUR, wife, age 53, 2nd marriage 21 years, 2 children/2 living, born IL, parents born IL
Charles B. ARTHUR, son, age 19, born OR
Frank H. IRWIN, son age 31, married 4 years, born KS, parents born Canada/IL, a Wholesale Machinery Salesman
Florence H. IRWIN, dau-in-law, age 26, married 4 years, no children, born OR, parents born France/OR

1920 census of Astoria, OR:

Frank H. IRWIN, age 40, born CA, parents born Canada/KS, a Commission Broker
Florence B. IRWIN, wife, age 33, born OR, parents born France/CA

1930 census of Portland, OR:

Frank H. IRWIN, age 49, married at age 25, born CA, parents born Canada/KS, a Motor Company Manager
Florence B. IRWIN, wife, age 44, married at age 22, born OR, parents born France/CA

1940 census of Portland, OR:

Frank H. IRWIN, age 58, born CA, a Retail Hardware Salesman
Florence IRWIN, wife, age 52, born OR

I’m hoping to locate someone from one of their families so that the photograph can be returned to its right place, with family. If you are a member of one of their families or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo of Pamela Lynn Benham

Holbrook at age of 9 years.