Benjamin McKinley Givens, Sr. was born on 03 October 1896 in Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania. His father was William Henry Givens, and his mother was Mary Elizabeth Long.

His father died when he was 6 months old and on 10 August 1899 his mother placed him, at the age of 2 yrs 10 months, and his youngest sister in the York County Orphans Home on East Philadelphia St., York, PA. On 15 May 1902, at the age of 5 yrs 7 months, he was placed in a foster home. Simon Blouse and Clara Runkle Blouse were his foster parents. He was brought up on a farm along the Hollow Road between Cross Roads and Felton in southern York County in PA.

He was in the US Navy during World War I, enlisting on 17 May 1917 at Philadelphia, PA, and received an Honorable Discharge on 08 July 1919. He was an Electrican's Mate on the battleship USS Florida BB-30, part of the Sixth Battle Squadron of The Grand Fleet. He witnessed the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow, Scotland on 21 Nov 1918. At discharge he was: Age, 22 yrs. 9 months; Height, 5 feet 11 inches; Weight, 162 lbs.; Eyes, Brown; Hair, Light Brown; Complexion, Ruddy.

On 22 December 1920 he married Gertrude Elizabeth Seacrist at Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church, York, York County, Pennsylvania.

All of his children were born in York, York County, Pennsylvania. His daughter Olive Anna was born on 21 July 1918. His daughter Phyllis Carylon was born on 04 November 1921. His son Benjamin Mc Kinley Jr. on 15 August 1925, and. His son Richard Seacrist was born on 07 August 1932.

He was a 50 8/12 year employee of the Pennsylvania Rail Road retiring on 01 November 1966.

Benjamin died on 14 August 1981 at Barley Convalescent Home, York, York County, Pennsylvania as a result of colon cancer. On 17 August 1981, after funeral services he was buried beside his wife in Prospect Hill Cemetery. He was 84 yrs 10 months 11 days old when he died.

Cause of Death: Colon Cancer
Occupation: Railroad Engineer
Politics: Republican
Hobbies: Hunting
Membership: American Legion, Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
Handedness (L/R): R

Last Updated 09 July 2005