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Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks: George Lawrence Benning was born to William Joseph Benning (1852 - 1930) and Imogene N. (Millard) Benning (1854 - 1916) in Boone, Iowa. He had 9 siblings: Nelson, Henry, Lois, Cora, Walter Joseph, Grace, Arthur, Mabel and Lloyd. He was the youngest. George was married twice, first to Mildred Wilson, and 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. Micky Reed, the owner of the Reed Chevrolet dealership in Bremerton Washington, was on a local river fishing trip and 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 a Shriner, 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, Magnuson 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.) George also was instrumental in establishing the Elks Lodge in Bremerton, and was involved with the creation of the Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle. George was also a founding member of the Isaac Evans American Legion Post in Seward, Alaska in 1919. One cool story about George: He had a bit of real estate in Bremerton and rented these 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 (George’s 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 he left the homes to the tenants. However, my sister (who says she has a copy of George's will), notes that there is no record of any homes being deeded.
Photo of Shelley Cardiel Shelley Cardiel: I have two postcard photographs belonging to the TESSEY Family of New York including one of Edward L. TESSEY and Clara MOSER TESSEY which was taken at the P. R. Thomann Studio in Utica, NY. The photograph was taken some time between 1904 and 1918 with the couple appearing to be in their 20's at the time it was taken. They are also identified as "Dad's Parents" on the back. The second photograph is one of Edward TESSEY at age 9 months old. There is no studio or location identified on this photograph which was also taken some time between 1904 and 1918. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding this TESSEY Family: Edward John TESSEY was b. 22 Aug 1915 in Utica, NY to parents Edward Lewis TESSEY (1886-1937) and Clara Katharine MOSER (1887-1966). Edward was the only child born to this couple. Edward married Katherine Ann WILLIAMS (1915-1978) on 1 Jun 1940 in Clinton, NY and they had a daughter, Suzanne B. TESSEY (1951-2022). Edward died 12 Oct 1998 in Utica or Whitesboro, NY and he is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, NY. His obituary notes that he ran a dance band as a teenager and was a well-known wedding photographer. He was survived by two daughters Suzanne of Whitesboro, NY and Marilyn of Rome, NY. Edward Lewis TESSEY was b. 27 Jul 1886 in Utica, NY to parents Joseph H. TESSEY (1845-1928) and Phoebe Mary MADER (1856-1928) who were married in 1884. Edward had one sibling, a brother Joseph Henry TESSEY (1884-1949). Edward married Clara on 16 Sept 1914 in Utica, NY and they had the one son, Edward John TESSEY. Edward Lewis died 10 Oct 1937 in Utica, NY and is also buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in that city. Clara Katharine or Katherine MOSER was b. 31 Jan 1887 in Utica, NY to parents George MOSER (1842-1921) and Katherine ERHARDT (1844-1887) who were married 8 Mar 1868 in Legelshurst, Arnt Kehl, Baden, Germany. Clara was one of 13 children born to this couple including George or Georg; Katherine, Katharina, or Catherine; Barbara; Barbara; Mary Maria; Berbard; Elizabeth or Elisabetha; Brigitta; Ricka; Freida; Anna; John Erhardt; and Clara Katharine or Katherine MOSER all born between 1866 and 1887. Clara died 7 Apr 1966 in New Hartford or Utica, NY and is also buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, NY. I would like to get these photographs to family and appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be. Thanks, Shelley
Photo of Shelley Cardiel Shelley Cardiel: tagged this photo with the topics: and New York
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