Benge Pioneer Photos Yuma Co, CO

Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneers

Louis and Mae (Grisell) Benge

Louis was born May 3, 1862 at Springport, Michigan, to Samuel Benge and Elizabeth Saxon.

Samuel Benge married Minerva Battershell in Jackson County, Michigan December 1, 1869.

One tree said "Samuel lived in Jackson County, Michigan during the 1880's and 1890's - he married Minerva Horton Battershall after the death of her 1st husband Daniel M. Battershall ."

In 1880 Muskegon County, Michigan, he's 18, a farm laborer for Edward Clifton
Lewis Benge married Alta May Grisell on May 20, 1888, recorded in Washington County, Colorado.

"Mr. and Mrs. Benge located in Sterling, Logan County, Colorado, soon after their marriage, where he is engaged in the blacksmith business. He has won the respect of the entire community for his honesty and fair dealings. Mr. Benge's father was a native of Kent County, England. "

Lewis proved up a quarter in 29, 3N 48W in 1891, near a number of other 1890-1891 cash claimants.

Lewis cash-claimed a quarter in 6, 3N 47W in 1893 - about five miles north of Yuma.

Lewis' child was buried in the Yuma Cemetery in 1896
June 1899 "Lew Benge, one of Yuma's pioneer business men, but now of Sterling, was shaking hands with his many friends here one day last week."

February 1900 Sterling "Dave Mill found the valuable brace and bit lost by blacksmith Benge recently and which was advertised in the Daily Democrat."

In 1900 Sterling, Louis is a blacksmith, born May 1862 in Michigan, married 12 years to Mae G. Oct 1871 INdiana. Fred L. was born ASpril 1889 in COlorado.
Mae has had three kids, one living.

March 1900 Sterling "Mrs. Lewis Benge and son Fred went to Snyder this morning to visit relatives."

September 1900 "Through the Sterling Democrat we learn that Mrs. L. Benge and son, Fred, arrived home from their extended visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Grisell of Ozark, Missouri, last Friday morning. Mrs. Benge reports a splendid time."

December 11, 1908 " Sterling friends of Mr. and Mrs. L. Benge received cards last week from Mr. Benge announcing the birth of an eight and a half pound boy, which occured October 21st at Portland, Oregon. That will tickle Mr. Benge more than if he had stayed in Sterling and been elected sheriff. —Democrat ."

February 1909 "We note from the Sterling papers that Lew Benge has returned from Oregon, glad to get back, and will go into business again at Sterling."

In 1910 Sterling, Louis is running a junkyard, with Mae 37, Fred 20, and Donald 1.

In 1911 the Sterling business directory has "Watts & Benge Lumber Co."

In 1920 Sterling, Louis doesn't have an occupation, 57, Mae 47, and Donald 11.

They're not employed in 1930 Sterling, where Donald is a student.

Louis is widowed in 1940 Sterling, managing an apartment house.

Louis Benge 1862-1946 is buried in Sterling # 39107946, with Mae Grisell Benge 1870-1939.
Another stone in Sterling says "Our babies bonr March 28, 1894, died Januar 31, 1906.

Donald Louis Benge, 89, of Sterling, died March 19, 1998 in Mesa, Ariz. Visitation and viewing is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at Chaney-Walters Funeral Home. The closed casket service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 26 at Chaney-Walters Funeral Home with Rev. T. L. Phillips officiating. Burial will be at Riverside. Cemetery with graveside services by the Masonic Lodge No. 54, A.E & A.M.. Mr. Benge was born November 21, 1908 in Portland, Ore. to Louis and Mae (Grisell) Benge. He was raised in Sterling attending schools in the area and graduating from Logan County High School in 1926. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1931 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He married Willa Backes on July 17, 1938 in Greeley. they lived in Sterling where he worked for Valley Electric for a few years: In 1938 he started working for the City of Sterling and was the City Engineer, retiring in 1978. Mr. Benge was a volunteer fireman, a member of the Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 54, A.F. & AM. and the Sterling Elks Lodge No. 1336. He is survived by two daughters, Donna Benge of Mesa; Mary Crow of Denton, Texas and two grandchildren, Carson Donald Crow and Caitlin Maie Crow of Denton. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1972 and brother, Fred Benge.

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