The Benson/Paul Family
A Short History

Dave Benson died in 1927, at the age of 42, leaving Pearl Benson, at age 33, with eight children. Marie married Bill Paul who also had children and together they became the parents of three more children. Bill Paul died on December 1, 1943 of carcinoma of the stomach. He was 64 at his death and she was 44. After being in bad health for several years, mom died in September of 1960 at age 64 of complications from diabetes. Grandparents on both mom and dad's sides of the family died before I was born, so we missed being spoiled by Grandparents.

Dave Benson was born in 1855. Marie Walker was born in 1894. They were married in 1912. There were eight children of this marriage. He was sick for a long time with lung problems probably brought on from working with (pine) tar kilns. There was a lot of smoke. He died in 1927. Mom was left with 8 children at age 33.

I was told that the authorities wanted to put us in the orphanage but Mama wouldn't let us be seperated. After several moves, we ended up in Rockingham in 1929. Mama's sister and family lived here at that time but they later moved back to Clarkton.

In 1929, mom married a widower. William "Bill" Paul, with three grown children. A boy and two girls - Moody, Daisy and Sally. The girls were married and had families, but Moody was still at home with his dad. Moody lived with us and was like a big brother. Mr. Paul was a good Father and brave person to take so much responsibility. Of this marriage there were three children - Edna, Steve and Evelyn.

Mr. Paul was a hard worker, a good provider and a brave person to take on so much responsibility with this marriage along with his three children. He died on December 1, 1943 at age 64 of carcinoma of the stomach. Mother was 44 at the time of his death. It was a great loss for all children from both marriages, who survived to grow up, be married and have families.

After being in bad health for several years, Mom died in September of 1960 at age 64 of complications from diabetes.