Benton Culver1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 19309, (1893 - 1961)
FatherRobert E. Culver4 (18 Jan 1860 - 30 Aug 1937)
MotherSarah Thomas2
Adoptive fatherNathan Killian5,6,7,8 (27 Mar 1856 - )
Adoptive motherMinerva Jennie Monroe9,10,11,12 (28 Aug 1868 - )

Key Events:

Birth: 25 Jan 1893, Sunshine, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania13,14,15,16,17,18
Marriage: 7 Jul 1913, Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, Edith May Rule (12 Sep 1898 - 3 Sep 1982)19
Divorce: 13 Nov 1919, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, Edith May Rule (12 Sep 1898 - 3 Sep 1982)20,21,22
Marriage: 15 Jun 1921, Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, Gladys V. Souder (about 1903 - before 1971)23,24
Divorce: 14 Apr 1934, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, Gladys V. Souder (about 1903 - before 1971)25,26
Death: 12 Jun 1961, Nanticoke, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania27
Burial: 15 Jun 1961, Sorber Cemetery, Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania27,28
ChartsDescendants of Jacob K. and Christiana Ohl Riegel

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Benton Culver was born on 25 Jan 1893 in Sunshine, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, though sources variously report it as in Hunlock, Jackson, Union and Huntington townships.13,14,15,16,17,18
     Benton was adopted by Nathan Killian and Minerva Jennie Monroe before 1900. He adopted their surname and recorded them as his parents on documents the rest of his life. They are shown on his death certificate as his parents. The sole exceptions found are the record of his second marriage, where he used the surname Culver and reported the names of his birth parents, perhaps because his bride's stepfather was his birth father, and his obituary, which lists him as Benton (Culver) Killiam.5,6,29,30,3
     Benton appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Union Twp., Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of Nathan Killian and Minerva Jennie Monroe, his adoptive parents.31 He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Union Twp., Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his adoptive parents.32
     Benton married first Edith May Rule, daughter of Richard Rule and Clara M. Cawtharn, on 7 Jul 1913 in Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, with Albert Smith, justice of the peace in Shickshinny, officiating. His adoptive mother, Minervia Killian, and her mother, Clara Cannally, consented to the marriage as they were both minors.19
     Benton registered for the draft for World War I on 5 Jun 1917, while living in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, reporting he was employed as a laborer for E. S. Stackhouse Coal Co. in Shickshinny.33
     Benton and Edith were divorced on 13 Nov 1919 in Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.20,21,22
     Benton appeared with his daughter Dottie on the 1920 Federal Census of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his adoptive parents.34
     Benton married second Gladys V. Souder, daughter of Joseph Souder and Sarah E. Reigle, on 15 Jun 1921 in Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, with William E. Smith, justice of the peace officiating, with the consent of her mother as she was a minor.23,24
     He was a laborer in 1913, and a miner by 1921. About 1930 operated a grocery store in Shickshinny.35,36,37,38,39
     Benton and Gladys appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, at 8 Nicely St, enumerated 9 Apr 1930, reporting that they rented their home, for $5 per month, and did not own a radio. They were apparently renting from his adoptive father, who is listed as living in the same building and shown as owner. Also listed as living with them is Glen Killian, age 16, a nephew.40
     Gladys was granted a divorce from Benton in Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, 14 Apr 1934, on grounds of cruel treatment.25,26
     Benton appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, at 31 Wilson St., enumerated 9 May 1940, lodging in the home of Ida Andrews and her children, reporting that he had lived in the same town in 1935.41
     By 1940 he had returned to coal mining, and reported that he had worked 60 hours the last week of March, and had worked 42 weeks in the prior year.42 He registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 31 Wilson St., Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, reporting he was employed by Glen Alden Coal Co. in Nanticoke.43 In the 1950 census he reported he had worked 42 hours the prior week.44
     He was later a painter, retiring about 1958.45,46
     Benton appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 1 Apr 1950, listed as a lodger in the household of Ida Andrews with her son William, his wife and one-year-old son.47
     Benton died on 12 Jun 1961 in Nanticoke, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, at age 68.27 He was buried on 15 Jun 1961 in Sorber Cemetery, Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.27,28
     
Research Note, 31 Dec 2014:

There is no other known candidate for the Robert Culver who was Benton's father than the son of Lyman and Mary (Zimmerman) Culver, known as Ephraim as a child and when he married Sarah Reigle in 1918, and as Robert Culver when he was with her in the 1920 census, and when he died in 1937. It seems very likely, but remains unproven, that he was the same Robert Culver who married Sarah Hines in 1893, and the Robert E. Culver divorced by Sarah Culver in 1914. He is the only Robert Culver known to have lived in Shickshinny during his lifetime. He is shown as such here.
     Since Benton was born in 1888, well before Robert's marriage to Sarah Hines, it seems unlikely she was his mother, who was known as Sarah Hemlock. Accordingly, Robert is shown here as the boy's father, though that has certainly not been proven, but Sarah Hines is not shown as his mother.

Children:
     Children with Edith May Rule:

  • Dottie Killian48 (4 Jan 1914 - 11 Aug 2007)
  • Bessie Killian49,50 (13 Dec 1915 - 29 Sep 1991)

Children:
     There were no children with Gladys V. Souder

Citations

  1. [S5213] Nathan Killan household, 1910 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows name as Benton Killian, and adopted.
  2. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County.
  3. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows name as Benton (Culver) Killian, then says his parents were Nathan and Jetti Monroe Killian.
  4. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows father's name as Robert, and that he was related by marriage to his bride.
  5. [S5212] Nathan Killan household, 1900 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows the boy as his son.
  6. [S5213] Nathan Killan household, 1910 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows the boy as his adopted son.
  7. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows Nathian as his father.
  8. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death, shows Nathan as his father.
  9. [S5212] Nathan Killan household, 1900 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows the boy as son of her husband.
  10. [S5213] Nathan Killan household, 1910 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows the boy as the adopted son of her husband.
  11. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows Jetti as his mother.
  12. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death, shows "Getti" as his mother.
  13. [S5212] Nathan Killan household, 1900 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows date, with year as 1893, age 7, and state.
  14. [S5210] Kenton Killian and Edith May Rule, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows date, with year as 1894, township, as Hunlock, and state.
  15. [S5216] Benton Killian, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, shows date, with year as 1894, township, as Jackson, and state.
  16. [S5217] Benton Killian, Selective Service Registration Card, World War II, Fourth Registration, shows date, with year as 1895, township, as Union, county, and state.
  17. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death, shows date, with year as 1894, township, as Huntington, and state.
  18. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows date, with year as 1894, and town.
  19. [S5210] Kenton Killian and Edith May Rule, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County.
  20. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows date.
  21. [S5211] William Eicke Sr. and Edith M. Rule, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows date, county, and state.
  22. [S5214] Nate Killan household, 1920 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows him as divorced.
  23. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows date, town, officiant, consent of her mother, and he had been married before.
  24. [S5209] Benton Killan household, 1930 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows married, with his first marriage at age 30 and hers at 18.
  25. [S12803] "Two Divorces Are Granted," Times Leader, 14 Apr 1934.
  26. [S5215] Ida Andrews household, 1940 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows him as divorced.
  27. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death.
  28. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows services Thursday and cemetery.
  29. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows his parents as Robert Culver and Sarah Thomas.
  30. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death, shows them as his parents.
  31. [S5212] Nathan Killan household, 1900 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  32. [S5213] Nathan Killan household, 1910 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  33. [S5216] Benton Killian, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
  34. [S5214] Nate Killan household, 1920 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  35. [S5210] Kenton Killian and Edith May Rule, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows occupation as laborer.
  36. [S5214] Nate Killan household, 1920 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows occupation as laborer, industry as coal company.
  37. [S5200] Benton K. Culver and Gladys Souder, Marriage License Docket, Luzerne County, shows occupation as miner.
  38. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows operated grocery store in 1930, city.
  39. [S5209] Benton Killan household, 1930 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows occupation as merchant, industry as groceries.
  40. [S5209] Benton Killan household, 1930 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  41. [S5215] Ida Andrews household, 1940 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  42. [S5215] Ida Andrews household, 1940 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows occupation as miner and industry as anthraite.
  43. [S5217] Benton Killian, Selective Service Registration Card, World War II, Fourth Registration.
  44. [S12801] Ida Andrews household, 1950 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows occupation as miner and industry as coal mines.
  45. [S12802] Benton Killian obituary, Times Leader, the Evening News, shows self-employed as painter, retiring three years ago.
  46. [S5218] Benton Killian, Certificate of Death, shows occupation as painter.
  47. [S12801] Ida Andrews household, 1950 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
  48. [S5214] Nate Killan household, 1920 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows him as son and her as granddaughter of head of household.
  49. [S5223] James Brennan household, 1920 U.S. Census, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, shows the child as granddaughter, and his ex-wife as daughter, of head of household, and child with surname Killian.
  50. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Bessie Killian Henry, Soc. Sec. No. 182-16-0961.