We mentioned that Frank and Mary Benham had six children in eight years. When you have that many kids in quick succession, chances are grandchildren may follow in the same way. Here are twelve of the Benham grandchildren with Grandma Mary in around 1951 or 1952 on the porch at Bob and Edna's home on Tipp-Elizabeth Rd. Twelve grandchildren were...

Mary Young Benham also grew up in Elizabeth Township on the dairy farm on what is now Tipp-Elizabeth Rd. just east of Gearhart Rd. Frank and Mary had six children in eight years, including Robert Woodrow, who was born in 1917, Frank Arthur (1919), Roy Edwin (1920), Lloyd George (1922), Cassa Elizabeth (1923), and John Morris (1925). They were a...

This is a photograph most likely from around 1890 of the children of John V. and Cassa (Bousman) Benham. Cassa was born in Elizabeth Township in 1831, the daughter of Leonard Bousman (also spelled Bausman) and Elizabeth Jackson Bousman. Both the Jacksons and the Bousmans came to Elizabeth Township in the early 1810s. John V. Benham was born in...

Don't miss this riveting program on one of the most challenging times in colonial America:

This is a charcoal drawing of Mary Emma Benham who was born in Elizabeth Township in 1862. Emma (or Aunt Emmie), a descendant of the Gearhart, Bousman, Jackson and Benham pioneer families of Elizabeth Township, spent virtually her entire life living in the same home. She attended the first Kyle School (Elizabeth Township School #2). She never...

SUTHERLY FAMILY SERIES POST #6: While Wes and Kate Sutherly were neither born in Elizabeth Township, they loved their community. They served actively as members of Cove Spring Church and on a committee of concerned township citizens that in 1993 opposed the potential expansion of Interstate 675 through the township. This committee’s work laid the...

The Sutherly grandchildren (ten in total) grew up in Elizabeth Township, the third generation to do so. They went to Elizabeth Elementary School and Miami East High School, participating in many school activities. Their participation in 4-H and FFA have also been a part of this family’s story. The Sutherlys have won many awards, championships,...

Wes and Kate’s farm eventually became known as “the dairy” as it was where their four sons milked Holsteins until 2003. Even after Wes and Kate’s children married and had families of their own, the dairy remained the hub for Sunday evening meals. Without fail, Kate had a big batch of salted or caramel popcorn sitting atop the stove that family...

In the 1950s and 1960s, the farm on State Route 201 was a gathering place for friends and neighbors, with pickup basketball games, and horse and pony rides up and down the road. Among those who took part in these rides were Harold and Alma Young (and occasionally their children, Dave, Phil, and George), Jimmy McQuire, Nellie Retter, Jimmy...