Carl A. Benzinger

Carl Benzinger was born at Henning, Minnesota on March 28, 1897 the son of Louis and Amelia (Dickoff) Benzinger. His father worked for the railroad and in 1916 they moved to Valley City, North Dakota. Carl worked for the Russell Miller Milling Co. until 1932.

Thelma (Woodcock) Benzinger was born July 3, 1901 the daughter of John and Ella (Doyle) Woodcock. She was born on the farm her parents homesteaded 7 miles north of Sanborn. She graduated from the 8th grade from Bowers school district #96. In 1915 she moved to Valley City and attended Valley City Normal School. She was then employed at the First National Bank for 1.0 years.

Carl and Thelma were married May 20, 1929 at Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1932 they rented her family farm in Anderson twp. They engaged in farming until 1944 when due to poor health Carl retired. They returned to Valley City. Thelma was employed at the First National Bank for 22 years, retiring in 1966.

They had two daughters: Betty (James) Winston born August 20, 1934 now living in St. Francis, Kansas with her 2 children, Danny Joe and Leigh Ann; Ellen (Grant) Zwick born March 14, 1938 who lives in Valley City with their children, Rozalyn, Ryan, and Reed.

Carl passed away March 16, 1966. Thelma, who has lived her entire life in Barnes County, still resides at 250 4th Ave. N.W., Valley City, North Dakota.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 27