Hawthorne, Julian, Ed. "The History of Washington: The Evergreen State from Early Dawn to Daylight." New York, American Historical Publishing Co., 1893. p. 497. BENNINGHOFF, GEORGE F., hotel-keeper, of Sprague, Wash., was born in Germany in 1851. His father, George, and mother, Annie Maria (Roth) Benninghoff, were natives of Rhinefalz, in the "Fatherland." Our subject emigrated to America in 1868, and located at Philadelphia, working as a mechanic until 1870, when he went to sea as ship carpenter. After a three years' cruise he returned to New York and subsequently removed to Massachusetts, where he followed his trade until 1875, when he removed to California. He left the Golden State to return to the sea, taking service on the State of California school ship. He reached Washington Territory in 1879, settling at Walla Walla, and then at Colfax. He visited Idaho, and made a trip to Europe in 1890, returning the same year. After a brief sojurn at Portland and at The Dalles, he finally settled at Sprague, where he engaged in the hotel business, having one of the largest and best equipped houses in that section of the State. It represents an invested capital of $30,000. Mr. Benninghoff has other property interests, is counted a thriving man, well adapated both by tact and enterprise to succeed in that most difficult calling, keeping a hotel. Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.