On 1 January 1920 Harold J. Benton, 12, lived on Second Street in Bayfield, Wisconsin with his parents, Lee E. and Anna J. Benton. 658 On 1 April 1930 Harold was a 23 year old single construction surveyor who lived with his step mother, Bessie Benton in Superior, Wisconsin. His father was born in Michigan and mother in Holland.1368 He lived in Bayfield, Wisconsin at the time of his death on 9 January 1975. 231 Harold did not attend Bayfield, Wisconsin public schools.593 “Memorial services were held at 2:30 p.m. for Harold J. Benton, Bayfield, who died Thursday in Bayfield County Memorial Hospital, Washburn. He was a former Duluth and Superior resident. Mr. Benton began his career as an assistant lighthouse keeper. He was formerly an assistant surveyor for Douglas County, operated gift shops in Bayfield and Clearwater, Florida; was manager of a pilot retail handicraft store in Rockefeller Center in mid-town Manhattan, and with his wife operated Benton’s Folkscrafts in Duluth for 10 years. The Bentons moved to the Town of Bayview in 1959. Mr. Benton introduced German from the 5th through 12th grades in the Washburn City schools. In his final year before retirement, he was supervisor in the Duluth Sheltered Workshop, and was a Bayfield County Supervisor for 1971, working on the social service committee. He was treasurer and Bayfield County representative of the Multi-County Library Board. Surviving are his wife Marjorie, and a son, Lee, both of Bayfield.”1375

“Marjorie was a college graduate, and was a librarian for some of her life.  She eventually went into business, running a fabric craft store in New York City in the Rockefeller Center, and she traveled far and wide to supple the store with the very best of crafts from all over the country. She was the spark plug for BHA in the 70's and 80's.”1373 Marjory attended the Bayfield, Wisconsin public schools with the Class of 1924, but graduated elsewhere. 593 Mrs. Harold Benton lived in Bayfield, Wisconsin on 26 November 1971.1394 “Marjorie F. Benton, 95, Bayfield passed away Friday, August 16, 2002 at Northern Lights Health Care Center in Washburn. She was born on May 6, 1907 in Appleton, the daughter of John J. and Ethel Fisher. Marjorie moved to Bayfield in 1909. She attended local schools and graduated from Northland College Academy and then attended Northland College for three years. In 1929, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. On August 14, 1936, she married Harold Benton in Bayfield. Marjorie taught school in Cornucopia, Washburn and Ashland, serving as high school English teacher and librarian. She and her husband lived in New York City for several years and served as managers of the Southern Highlander’s shop in RCA sunken garden area. Later, they owned their own shop in Duluth, Benton’s Folkcrafts, before moving back to Washburn. Marjorie was a longtime member of the Bayfield Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder for several years. She was an honorary member of the Bayfield Heritage Association. She was also president of both organizations. It was Marjorie’s foresight, energy and perseverence that led to the restoration of the old Bayfield Courthouse and eventually to its role as Headquarters for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. One of the rooms in the old courthouse was named the Marjorie Benton room in recognition of her efforts in saving the building. Marjorie was a remarkable lady who played a major role in the successful recognition of Apostle Islands Lakeshore. In 1979, the state Historical Society of Wisconsin awarded her the Local History Award of Merit in recognition of her distinguished service to history. In 1981, she was the recipient of a certificate of Commendation presented by the American Association for State and Local History for preserving local history and the old Bayfield Courthouse. In 1982, she was nominated as one of the ten most admired senior citizens. In 1990 she was recognized locally for her many gifts and interests with “Marjorie Benton Day.” She was also recognized as the “woman who saved the courthouse.” Marjorie was always available, involved and willing to help. She was the epitome of a concerned, active and unselfish citizen. She is survived by a son, John Lee Benton of Phoenix, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Robin, Dan and Jeff Benton, all of Phoenix; sister Elisabeth F. Fisher of Bayfield; two sisters-in-law, Joy M. Fisher of Minneapolis, and Susanne G. Fisher of Gainesville, Fla.; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold, on January 18, 1975; two sisters, Eutoka Borth and Sarah Fisher, and a brother John Merlin Fisher. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Bayfield Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Green officiating. Inurement will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bayfield. Memorial gifts, if desired, may be made to the Bayfield Presbyterian Church or to the Heritage Association, Inc. Arrangements are by the Bratley Funeral Home in Washburn.”1395