Memories that Matter
for families, friends, family history and fans.
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.
Kathy Pinna:
Mabel (Stumpf) Jankun was born on November 23rd, 2909 in Chicago, Illinois to Paul Stumpf (1875 - 1963) and Matilda Stumpf (1881 - 1946) and she had siblings Marie, Fred, Lillian, Ethel and Pauline.
Mabel Stumpf married Edward T Thomas and they had children Shirley and Edward.
Mabel also married Joseph Jankun (1914 - 1981).
Kelley Rainey:
My grandfather was a kind man and a wonderful storyteller. I could listen to the stories of his childhood and other life experiences for hours. His family was so very important to him. He adored his daughters and grandchildren. Pa Pa would have watermelon for me, my brothers and other kids in the neighborhood when they were in season. He was one of the greatest men I've ever known.
Carolyn Davidson:
Patricia (PattiPooh) was my sweet baby sister! - I held baby Patti when she was born. I was 13 years old at the time. About eighteen months earlier my younger sister, Becky, had been born. The two of them were best buddies. I would sit on the floor and let the girls divide my hair in half and they each got to put in curlers, bows and barrettes. I looked so silly, but they were entertained while mom fixed dinner. Lol
Kristina Kuhn:
This is Franklin Ritter (1847-1927).
He was my 2nd Great Grandfather.
He was born in Wayne Co., OH and lived many places in his life.
His parents moved to Steuben Co., Indiana along with many other Ritter families
somewhere between the 1860 and 1870 census.
by 1900 He moved his wife and children to Williams Co., OH
1910 they were in Isabella Co., Michigan
1920 he was in Seneca Co., OH and that is where he died in 1927
Rosemary Connolly:
follows this photo.
Cynthia Salazar:
Bruce was cousin. We were very very close growing up along with Mark Liz and my brother Chris. I don't know how all of this happened so fast it seems like. Just a dream. Last thing I remember we are in Yucca Valley Calif. listening to Frank Zappa and Jeff Beck drinking one Moose head bear both of us and being plastered. We laughed and got sick together along with my Aunt Carol. Best memory in my entire life!!!! I felt like I had brother and a real loving family. Bruce and I belonged in California. Vans shoes, Chucky Cheese, 3 wheelers. Los Angeles. You will always be my brother/Bruce. I miss you terribly. Life hasn't been the same since you left us. Love you little thumb sucking dingo boot wearing boy.
Shelley Cardiel:
updated the profile photo of Edward Tessey to Edward John Tessey.
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
Shelley Cardiel:
tagged this photo with the topics: and New York
Shelley Cardiel:
I have an old studio photograph of Myrtle CASTNER which was taken at the A. B. de GROAT Studio in Bath, NY. The photograph appears to have been taken in the early 1900's with Myrtle likely in her 20's at the time. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding Myrtle and her family:
Mary Myrtle FLEET was b. 9 May 1889 in Schuyler County, NY to parents Daniel Edgar FLEET (b. 1846) and Lucinda GOLTRY or GAULTRY or GOLTRA (b. 1852). Myrtle was one of 8 children born to this couple including Delphene or Dellaphene; Vincent Conklin; Julia E.; Cora Mae; Jesse Paul; John W.; Emerson Bisale; and Mary Myrtle FLEET, all born between 1872 and 1889. Myrtle married Clarence Alvin CASTNER (1894-1964) on 17 Jun 1914 in Orange, NY and they had a daughter, Clara Lucille CASTNER KELLY(1918-1993).
Myrtle died 22 Aug 1967 in New York and is buried in the Rural Cemetery in Hornell, NY.
I would like to get the photograph to her family and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be.
Thanks,
Shelley
Shelley Cardiel:
tagged this photo with the topic 1900-1909.
Shelley Cardiel:
tagged Mary Myrtle (Fleet) Castner in this photo.