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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.
Irene Muzet:
Uncle Phil, ( my father's brother, there were 10 siblings) lived with my Muset family for awhile. Before that time when I was a small child I remember him being married to Aunt Jeanie and living farther down Rt 36, not sure which town after Hazlet but before Earle N.Depot. After they divorced he so missed his daughter's terribly, us Muset kids tried to cheer him up but I think it saddened him more, Betty Ann, Victory, and Kim were missed by me too. Betty Ann is my age now 73 or 74. They moved to California. When I was a teenager, Uncle Phil fell asleep alone driving and went under a tractor trailer. His tongue was almost cut in half and was sewn back together. As a teenager I was the one who irrigated his tongue for him at home. I remember when he lived in an apartment in Keyport NJ. I remember my Dad and Uncle Phil arguing over if they were all Ukrainian descent or part Polish too. I was told my grandparents met on the ship coming over, true I don't know.
Alison Leach:
When Maria Philomena Dries was born on November 14, 1851, in Grote-Brogel, Limburg, Belgium, her father, Leonardus, was 33, and her mother, Maria, was 36. She married Gerard Marie Jozef "Joseph" Clooten in April 1874 in her hometown. They had ten children in 20 years. She died on December 16, 1940, at the age of 89 in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada.
Children
Maria Elisabeth Clooten 1875-1875 - Belgium
Maria Elisabeth"Elizabeth "Bet" Clooten 1877 Belgium - 1951 Cumberland, BC,
Canada
Anna Marie "Mary" Clooten 1879 Belgium- 1971 Morinville, Alberta, Canada
Gerard Mathijs "Matthew" "Matt" Clooten 1881 Belgium - 1948 Mayerhtorps,
Alberta, Canada
Eugene Adolf Clooten 1884 Belgium - 1943 Richmond, BC, Canada
Pieter Hendrick "Harry" "Peter" "Henry" Clooten 1886 Belgium - 1949 Michigan,
USA
Helena Alexandrina "Helen" Clooten 1890 Belgium - 1977 Campbell River, BC,
Canada
Maria Helena "Katie" "Catherine" "Katleen" Clooten 1892 Belgium - 1977
Campbell River, BC, Canada
Maria Antionetta "Jeannette" "Mary" Clooten 1895 Belgium - 1971 Victoria, BC,
Canada
Grandson - Joseph Clooten 1908 Alberta, Canada to 1982 BC, Canada - is often mistaken as the son of Maria Philomena Dries and Gerard Marie Jozef "Joseph" Clooten, he is their grandson who they raised.
Monica Gory:
One moment in time remembering my father. - I cherish the memories of you visiting me at mamas house and spending time with me. One particular moment that stands out is when we were out together at the store, and one of your friends stopped to ask who I was. With pride, you introduced me as your daughter – a moment I'll always treasure.
Chelly Matthiesen:
Booper Smith - Hailey Stelzel was my daughter. The most precious love of my life, along with her brother Tyler. She was the absolute best person that I had ever known, she was the most caring, loving, exciting young lady. And i am so privileged to have been her mother. I miss her adorable crooked little smile and her gorgeous green eyes. She brought so much joy and happiness into my life, it has been unbearable living without her. Even though it has been almost 20 years since she passed away the pain has never gotten any easier to deal with, I always wonder what she would have been like if she were still with us. Part of my soul died the day I lost her and the only reason I survived was because of my beautiful blue eyed baby boy Tyler. I miss Hailey immensely every day. I would gladly give my life for hers. But that isn't possible. I love her and miss her and so does Tyler. Until we meet again my sweet Booper Smith.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sara Lobato:
My father worked there in the 1930s - My father, Emmanuel J. Lobato, was born in Alamosa. He tended cattle at 12 and when he was five he took care of one cow or bull that used to get lose. He earned $1 a month, and when it got lose he had to pay $1, which happened a number of times.
He worked at the hardware store when he was about 18 years old. He was born December 31, 1918, and his family came from Spain about 400-500 years earlier and married the Martinez family. I actually lived in Pueblo West years ago and a young man came to my door who looked like my nephew. I almost died. He was a Martinez.
The story I was told by my oldest brother who is 80 years old, said that my father worked very hard for Mr. Husung. Mr. Husung had hopes that one day my father would manage the store, but my father had higher dreams than staying in Alamosa.
He went to the Naval Academy, became a Lt. Commander, was in over 30 major battles, and 13 battle stars, and went on to become one of the top international attorneys in the world.
He visited Alamosa a number of times during and after the war. I have no idea if he visited the store and said hello to Mr. Husung, but since I do things like that and take after him in many ways, I would like to think that he did at least one time. He was written up in the local paper since he had many accomplishments in the navy.
I like to think that Mr. Husung most likely read about him.
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
Robin Gullo:
Robin Gullo - Johnny was my brother.
Joey and Johnny were both die hard Celtic fans they had season tickets.
I remember when my sister Kim and I went to Boston to visit them they gave us tickets to a Celtics game. We both said we didn’t know how we would get there?? They told us to take the train to orange line and just follow the people ? We looked at each other in confusion , but was very clear when we got off the T. There was a sea of green!!!
Thank you my brothers for making me a die hard Celtic fan.
Love and miss you all every day!❤️😘
David Anthony:
Cheryl Lumpkin Stovall - I have attempted to locate Cheryl for 50+ years. Finally did recently in the cemetery. She died Jan 4, 1980. I read in a 1980s newspaper edition that she died in the hospital from a brain injury. How did this injury happen? Car accident-NOT! Rumor is that a family member may have hit her.
She was a very special angel to me during difficult times in my youth in Texas. Any information will be appreciated.
Dave:)
Gilda Hamzah:
My wonderful friend and teacher - I have so many fond memories of Mr. Grasso. We both lived in New York City, and he was a teacher in Louis D Brandeis and the Middle School public school in Manhattan.
He was kind and funny. Very smart and I remember when he took me to Lincoln Center and after we went to a restaurant. He had his young nephew with two other friends joining us. I was a teenager myself.
We kept in touch until I had my first son. He came to my wedding, and I also invited him to my husband's birthday party. We had a great time.
the last time I spoke to him he was moving out of state to be with his brother, but I don't recall where or what state he was moving. I think it was North Carolina but not really sure! I had a lot in my plate on those days, I didn't pay attention. But I miss him so much! I love you Mr. Grasso, and I miss you very much!
Catherine Mitchell:
My sweet friend - Shanna was funny, and kind. She could be tough but she was also gentle. Shanna was a good friend to me, and since she was a year older than I was, I looked up to her. I miss her dearly, and I swear I still can hear her laugh when I close my eyes and think of her. I remember sharing baby-doll dresses and jeans because those were the style back then but neither of us had much so our wardrobe doubled when we shared! To this day I carry a little guilt with me that I didn't hangout with her that day like she asked (I was upset over something silly as a young girl) because maybe she would not have gone to that house where she was shot and would instead still be here with us. I am so sorry she was taken from this world so young, and in such a tragic way. I hope she knows I still visit her gravesite, and will never forget her as long as I live. I have told my husband and my children about her too, so she can live on even longer in their memories, knowing she was special to me.
Laura Kaye Biddle:
updated the profile photo of Philip Biddle to Philip K Biddle.