Ancestry.com’s earliest records show the first Squier relative, George Squire, being born on September 13, 1618 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England. He came to America and had a son, George Squire II, who was born in Fairfield Connecticut on March 11, 1643. The earliest spelling of the surname “Squier” happened with Samuel Squire Squier (either a notoriously bad speller or a rebel who didn’t want to be associated with his family) who was born March 13, 1711 in Durham, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Much like the country’s founding, Squiers started moving west, first into the original Midwest of Ohio and Michigan, and then into the Chicago area.
Marshall’s great grandparents on the Squier side were Samuel A Squier (1837-1893) and Catherine G McElhinney (1840-1884). Samuel and Catherine were both born in Ohio but moved to Chicago. They had five children; Edward A. Squier (1870-1934), James M. Squier (1872-1934), Joseph Marshall Squier (1876-1954), Catherine G Squier (1878-1960), and Esther Squier (1879-1880).
Marshall’s grandfather Joseph Marshall Squier married a German woman named Josephine Grosse and they had 3 children; Marshall Joseph Squier (1906-1990), Grace Squier (married Bob Barker), and Laura Squier (married Coke Black). Marshall Joseph Squier married Alma Benning, and they had 3 children; Ann Squier Gough (1934-2020), Marshall Jr. (1936-2020), and Edward (1938).
We have a trove of pictures from Marshall’s mother’s side, some of which are shown below. Some of them are as old as 1900. Should any relatives see these and can help identify or correct picture descriptions, we’d be most appreciative!
Johan Adelbert Boenning, 1852-1938, Alma’s grandfather, emigrated from Germany and changed his last name’s spelling to Benning. He married Josephine Sutter (1883-1918) who he brought over from the “old country” of Germany. She was 31 years younger than him and they had nine children. She died in 1918 at age 35 from the Spanish flu. Johan is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery in River Grove IL.Inscripted as “Grandma Benning”. Perhaps this is Josephine Sutter 1883-1918, Adelbert Benning’s wife.Gertrude Bennning circa 1901. Marshall’s aunt who died 7/29/1918 of the Spanish flu.Paul Benning (One of Marshall’s uncles on his mother’s side).Gertrude and Al Benning circa 1904.Rose (1909-1969) and Anthony Benning (1904-1933) circa 1910.Marshall’s aunt’s first communion circa 1914.One of Marshall’s aunts in 1929.Alma in Colorado. Marshall’s uncle Al Benning was a professional wrestler who went by the name of Al Williams. He toured and sometimes wrestled with “Gorgeous George”.On Marshall’s father’s side, this is his grandmother Josephine Grosse Squier with either daugher Grace or Laura circa 1900.Joseph Marshall Squier and Josephine Squier (Marshall’s grandparents) circa 1920.Marshall Squier Sr (26) and Alma Benning Squier (24) in 1932.Josephine Squier (Marshall’s grandmother) and Laura Squier (Marshall’s aunt) in 1935.Marshall’s mother Alma is in black on the left and his father Marshall Sr. is 2nd at the table on the right. At Chicago’s Latin Quarter at 23 W. Randolph in the 30s.Marshall’s uncle Al Benning.Marshall’s father letting the draft board for World War II know of his new address.Marshall’s grandfather Joseph Marshall Squier, and mother (left), grandmother, and brother in 1944.Marshall, Ed and Ann in 1944. Does Eddie have to pee?Marshall Squier Sr. at the head of the table. Notice the woman in the glass case in the back left, and the man with a trumpet on the far right. Marshall Sr. and Marshall Jr. playing golf. Marshall Squier Sr. on a early version scooter in the 1930s.Marshall Sr playing golf. This photo inspired Kramer’s hairdo on Seinfeld.Alma Squier, Marshall’s mother.Marshall’s aunt Rose, mother and brother Ed.Marshall with his niece Maribeth, sister in law Linda, wife Elaine holding daughter Susan, father Marshall and mother Alma in 1963.Marshall’s uncle Al Benning and mother Alma.Marshall Sr showing his infectious smile.
