Lewis Benning, one of the skilled and progressive farmers of the younger generation in Washington township, was born in Miami County, January 15, 1891, a son of John and Sarah (Oldfather) Benning, well-known and greatly respected residents of this county, who have been identified with agricultural pursuits here for many years. A brother of Mr. Benning, Edward, served in the United States Army during the World war, acting first as an army truck driver in Kansas and being connected later with the heavy artillery in France. Lewis Benning is a product of the country schools and has passed the greater part of his life in farming. During the last eight years he has been carrying on operations on the Heitzmann farm in Washington township, a tract of 116 acres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has developed into a skilled, practical and progressive farmer of his locality and is securing a good return for the labor which he expends upon his property. Mr. Benning married, March 16, 1918, Miss Ada Nishwitz, daughter of David and Callie (Combs) Nishwitz, farming people, and they have two children: Robert L. and Lawrence. Mr. Benning has always been a good citizen, and during the World war period contributed his full share to the support of the various movements which had a bearing upon the success of American arms.