Charles Henry Bennett was born October 15, 1895 at what was then known as Mud Creek. He was one of 10 children born to Luther Henry Bennett and Sophia Karls. He and his uncle, Loren Bennett, operated a blacksmith shop for a number of years. Charles made this his trade until his death in September, 1935. Mary Crunagunda Willenberg was born in Roselle, Iowa, on September 27, 1882. She was one of four children born to Sophia Schornagel and Jon Willenberg. She had two sisters, Clara, who died in infancy, and Sophia, who lived in Elgin for several years before moving to Omaha where she died. Sophia left a son, Elmer, who at the age of 12 came to live with his aunt and uncle. Mary had a brother, Henry, who moved to Elgin in 1953 to make his home with his nephew, Leonard Bennett.
Charles and Mary were married in Omaha and later on October 10, 1910 at St Boniface Church in Elgin. They were parents of eight children, Edmund John, who died in 1968; Leola Irene; Gladys Clara, who died on October 6, 1987; Buela Virginia; Dorothy Gertrude, who died at nine months; Margie Leona; Leonard Ralph; and Luther Charles. The family resided in Elgin. After the death of her husband, Mary and the children moved to California. After World War II, Leonard and Pat returned to Elgin and reopened the blacksmith shop. Mary returned in December, 1951 for a visit. On her return trip she stopped to spend Christmas with her daughter, Margie and family in Wheatridge, Colorado where she died on November 15, 1952.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in June 2007