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People we remember
Biographies are where we share about family & friends to connect with others who remember them.
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.
Pam Marks:
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."
Nat Jensen:
Gary Jensen was my father, a hard working, kind-hearted, funny dad. One gone too soon. He was born in Bakersfield, CA and died in Redding, CA. He is survived by his mother, Melba Jensen, his son Nathaniel Jensen, and his sisters Leslie Mitchem and Karen Van Hoosen, along with many of his nieces and nephews.
James Farr:
Renee Irmini was my grandmother my name is James Farr but my grandmother always called me Jamie she had beautiful red long hair and she had a license in numerology and a license and astrology and before she passed away she became a psychiatric technician atascadero State hospital she never gave up and always had a smile on her face was always the life of the crowd and always happy you couldn't tell when she was sad and I loved her very much and miss her too.
Ray L:
A Spirited Young Man Who Died Too Young - A very witty man with a strong personality. He loved his father and mother very much. He lived a fast life which is why he was taken from us at 21. Those who knew him were drawn to him by his humor, his personality that makes you feel a connection, and a loyalty to his friends and family.
Randy Day:
Working on my deceased birt father's family tree - My birth Father's legal name was Rufus J. Turner. He and his wife, Viva Dale Turner, were the parents of ten children. My twin sister and I were siblings #9 and 10. At the time of our birth in November 8, 1955, Rufus had left the family and moved to Avon Park, Florida. While there he sent word for us all to come and join him.
However, when we got off the Greyhound bus, he was not there. Later on he did respond to a court order for child support by sending support monies to our oldest sister, and the return address was from somewhere in Texas.
We've traced our ancestry back to England and France on our Mother's side. We also know our Father was full-blooded German. But we have no links or names to any of his parents or ancestors.
If anyone could help me in this quest, I would be very grateful.
Sincerely,
Randy Day
Tammy Sue:
Grandpa’s garden - If you ever knew my grandpa he was a very hard worker, his garden was his passion he loved to fish as well. He was always a jokester but loved to tease grandma all the time. I miss laying on his clothes from work every morning he wore. That smell I absolutely love to this day! I miss him so much. Until we meet again grandpa.
Love Always,
Jimmy/paddlefoot
(Tammy)
Lisa Tomes:
Jesse Cornwell is my grandfather and I myself did not know him but his son Charles Edward Cornwell was my daddy and he told me some about him Jesse was married to Edith Francis Ammon and they had 3kis Jesse Francis Cornwell. Charles Edward Cornwell and Melvin Franklin Cornwell. Mrs Cornwell later to a Mr Martin and she passed away in Detroit Michigan if anyone knows of the family history I would really like to know thank you and God bless
Anita LeNorman:
My grandpa was the best ever! He was sweet, kind and soft spoken, at least until you got him mad. He used to sit with me and tell me stories and would take me hunting with him. I remember him standing outside of the little Baptist church preaching to everyone about smoking and how it would kill you. He died of lung cancer.
What a lovely human being.
Suzanne Wunderbar Pulczynski:
My father, my Hero! - BUPPA, I miss you so much, the whole family fell apart when you passed. I miss your voice, I miss the piano you used to play, I miss hearing your heavy accent.
If I could turn back time, I'd go back in time just to sit on your lap just one more time.
Your daughter
Suzanne Pulczynski
Love Queen:
“That baby in the Vaseline again “ - It’s me the one and only Mary Jane’s Girl
I miss you Grandma and I just can’t help but think how much easier life would’ve been if you were here with me. I needed you and auntie
I know now I was never alone I had 2 angels who always watched over and protected me.
Rest well until we meet again