DAVID BENNINGHOFF

BENNINGHOFF

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/20/2020 at 15:24:00

DAVID BENNINGHOFF was born in Lancaster county, Pennstlvania, December 9, 1882, a son of George and Elizabeth (Dovenspec) Benninghoff, both of German extraction. His paternal grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier.

Mr. Benninghoff was quite young when his parents moved from Pennsylvania to Ashland county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the trade of blacksmith, and served an apprenticeship of three years. Then, at Mansfield, Ohio, he worked as a journeyman for some time, and in later years as proprietor of shops at other places. In 1852 he moved to Allen county, Iudian [Indiana?], where he worked at his trade for two years. In 1854 he made the journey, via the Panama route, to California. and for four years was engaged in work at his trade on the Pacific coast. At the end of that time he returned to Indiana. Eighteen months later, however, he again went to California, where he spent the following five years, working at his trade and mining, being successful in his operations. Going back to Indiana again, he engaged in farming in Allen county, near Ft. Wayne, which he continued until 1885. That year he came to Adams county, Iowa, and bought his present farm in section 24, Carl township. This place was known as the D. E. Moore farm, and has the reputation of being the
best farm in Adams county. It contains 240 acres and is well adapted for stock or grain. The residence, a commodious two-story one, built on the Southern style, was erected in 1890, and is located some rods back from the highway. An attractive feature of this farm is the fifteen-acre grove of maples and black walnuts, which for beauty and value is unrivaled by any in the county. A good barn, windmill, fences, etc., are among the other improvements on Mr. Benninghoff’s farm.

Mr. Benninghoff was married in Allen county, Indiana, at the age of thirty, to Miss Elizabeth Hoffman, who was born and reared in Crawford county, Ohio, daughter of George and Elizabeth Hoffman. They have six children, viz.: Alice, wife of Allen Compton of Corning, Iowa; Ed D., at home; William H., a stenographer in the employ of a railroad company in Texas; Charlie, stenographer in a law office in Corning, Iowa; and Daisy and Jesse, at home. Their fourth child, Clarra, died at the age of eighteen months.

Politically Mr. Benninghoff affiliates with the Democratic party. He was made a Mason at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, while a resident of Allen county. Well informed on the general topics of the day, stored with reminiscences connected with his extensive travels, possessed with a cordial manner and a pleasing address, Mr. Benninghoff is a man who makes many friends, and who is most respected by those who know him best.