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William O. Benitz | Page last updated: 03 February 2012 |
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William O. Benitz | Page last updated: 03 February 2012 |
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William Otto Benitz 1854-1911 |
Clara Electa Allyn 1858-1930 |
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| (Source: F. Malcolm Benitz) | |
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| (Source: Stuart B. Pryor) | |
Willie & Clara with 3 of their children
outside the entrance to "La California",
circa 1892
(Source: F. Malcolm Benitz)
Born 22 May, 1854. Willie grew up in California; he was 13 when the family moved to Oakland, 20 upon arrival in Argentina, 22 when his father died. When Frank abandoned the family, Willie assumed the leadership role. He was 25 in 1881 when he chased Clara Electa Allyn back to Corsicana, Texas, and married her. Originally from Rochester, Minnesota, Clara was one of the school teachers invited to Argentina by President Sarmiento. Willie and Clara had 8 children. He worked for many years as an estancia (ranch) manager in Entre Rios. When Benitz Hermanos was dissolved, he received the headquarters and surrounding lands of "La California". His summer home, "Greystone", in Cruz Chica, Córdoba, is a few kilometers north of those of his siblings. In poor health for some time, he travelled to the US in the hopes of a cure. Willie died at the age of 56 while visiting his in-laws in Corsicana, Texas, on 1 April, 1911, and is buried in the Allyn family plot in Corsicana. Clara lived another 20 years, until 12 October, 1930. She's buried at "La California".
For now, please see the Wilhelm & Josephine's children - Family page for a brief bio about William and his siblings.