FIRST BENSINGER REUNION
Note: The following article had no title, nor was the newspaper recorded.
Penciled across the article is "Aug. 4, 1906"
Typed as written.
Children of Michael Bensinger are highlighted.
Jane Bensinger

	The Bensinger family reunion was held last Saturday at the old
homestead, in Smalsdale [sic], now owned and occupied by Frank L. Bensinger.
Over 100 relations of the Bensinger family gathered there to spend the day.
Phila, Mahanoy City, Weatherly, Port Carbon, Orwigsburg, Atlantic City and
the surrounding towns were represented.  The day was spent in all sorts of
pleasure.  In the afternoon, it was decided to make this reunion an annual
affair and organized by electing  C. S. Bensinger Pres; J. A. Yost, Sec. and
F. L. Bensinger, Treas. of the association known as the "Bensingers of
Smalsdale [sic]"  At six o'clock a balloon was sent in the sky amidst the
songs and cheers of the crowd.  It arose and drifted eastward until it was
almost impossible to see it.  At evening all left for their homes well
pleased with the day spent.  The last song of the day was "God be with you
till we meet again."

Bensinger Family Reunion.
	A very successful reunion of the Bensinger family was held at the old
Bensinger Homestead, in Smallsdahl [sic], about two miles west of New
Ringgold on Saturday, Aug 4th, 1906.  The following were present:

	The children and grandchildren of Franklin B. Bensinger and wife, both
deceased, were:
Howard E. Bensinger, wife and children, Nora, Harry, Richard,Clayton, Helen;
Chas. S. Bensinger, wife and children, Alice and Ralph;
Mrs. Thos. Bensinger;
Winfield S. Miller, wife and children, Agnes, Sara, Mayme, Charles, Kathryn,
Irvin, Archibald, Harriet, Edgar, Franklin and Lester;
Mrs. Susan Shoener and children, Lewis, Bessie, Lottie, Walter and Ralph;
Franklin L. Bensinger, wife and daughter, Eva;
Wm. Yost, wife and children, Milton, Lizzie, Florence and George;
Joseph A. Shellhammer, wife and children, Roy, Ellis, Carrie, Robert, Edna
and Kathryn;
Mrs. Oscar Kimmel and son, Foster;
James A. Yost, wife and children, Russel, Albert, Edward and Harold;
Harry H. Bensinger, wife and children, Albert, Irene and Arthur.

	The children and grandchildren of Benneville [sic] Bensinger and wife,
both deceased, were:
Daniel Kistler and wife;
Mrs. Salem and son, Leon;
Mrs. Harry Baker, and children Charles and Emma;
James Bensinger, wife and son, Paul;
Mrs Lewis Brenner [sic] and daughter Agnes;
Robert Bensinger, wife and daughter, Leah.

	Frederick Bensinger, wife and the following children and grandchildren:
Mrs. Harvey Dundor and children, Emily and Ruth;
James F. Bensinger, wife and children, Nora, Minnie, Charles, Claude,
Clarence and Elva;
Walter Schock, wife and son, Clarence;
Walter Bensinger, wife and children, Emma and Bertha;
Clarence Bensinger;
Furman Bensinger.

	Children and grandchildren of Thomas Hartung, Sr.and wife [Priscilla
Bensinger], both deceased, were:
Mrs. Wm. Paul, daughter, Kathryn and great grandchildren, Hilda and Emily;
Mrs Thos. Hartung, Jr.

	At an early hour the relatives began to arrive from Orwigsburg,
Mahanoy City, Tamaqua, Brandonville, Lewistown and the forenoon was
pleasantly spent in hand shakings and congratulations.  At about one o'clock
a temporary table was erected in the yard surrounding the house, which was
soon covered and loaded with all kinds of food enough to last several days
and after prayer was offered everyone present sat down and ate a hearty
dinner.  Robert Bensinger and Wm. H. Yost were especially noted for the
courteous and entertaining manner in which they served the party with
lemonade and making themselves generally useful.  In the afternoon singing
and baseball playing was indulged in.  At about four o'clock ice cream was
served and as usual everyone did ample justice.  This being the first
meeting of its kind the meeting was organized by electing C. S. Bensinger
President, Jas. A. Yost Secretary and Franklin L. Bensinger, Treasurer.
A committee of seven was appointed to make further arrangements for holding
Annual Reunions.  This committee consisted of one member from each family as
follows:  Howard E. Bensinger, James Bensinger, David Bensinger, James F.
Bensinger, Frank Bensinger, Thos. Hartung and Wm. H Yost.  A balloon
ascension was one of the features of the day.  At about 5:30 o'clock supper
was served after which all left for there [sic] respective homes expressing
themselves of having spent a pleasant and sociable day at the old homestead.

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From The Mahanoy City Daily Record dated August 6;
Penciled in date: "Aug. 4, 1906"

200 BENSINGERS AT FAMILY REUNION

	There are at least two hundred Bensingers in the great Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and they are all related.  It was thought advisable to hold a
family reunion on Saturday past.  Accordingly invitations were sent out to
meet at the old homestead, a farm at New Ringgold which was at one time
owned by the first tribe of Bensinger, and is now occupied by an offspring
of the family.
    Over one hundred responded to the first call of re-union.  This so
encouraged them that a permanent organization was at once effected.
Chas. Bensinger, Postmaster at New Ringgold was elected president.  There
will be a re-union held every year at the same place and it is expected that
every one of the family will be there.
    James B. Bensinger and his sister, Mrs. Louis Salem, with their families,
represented Mahanoy city.  They both report having had an excellent time.

Submitted By: Jane Bensinger
October 08, 1997