My name is Bonnie Johansen-Werner and I live in Joliet, IL. My grandmother, Winifred (Winnie) Thurmond Riedel, taught in Benton, IL sometime in the span from 1912 to 1921. I am not sure of the exact years. At the time her name was Winifred Thurmond. Also her sister, Elizabeth Thurmond taught in Benton.
I am hoping to learn more about the years my grandmother spent in Benton. I know that she taught 8th grade. And I do not know the exact years she taught. I have a significant collection of photos that she took and some of them, I feel sure, were taken in Benton.
Winnie was raised in Kentucky and obtained her teacher's license there. I would also be interested to learn what licensing requirements there were at the time for a teacher who came from another state.
If you recognize the bridge in these photos, and know if it still exists (or if it was probably never in Benton), please let me know. Some of these photos might be on day trips out of Benton. At least one photo has the Rosiclare Hotel in it.

Bonnie Johansen-Werner


Winnie Riedel's Album p. 14 Unknown women.

Winnie Riedel's Album Mom has no idea who these people are

Winnie Thurmond; Winnie Riedel's Album

Benton: Winnie Thurmond back right;
Winnie Riedel's Album At her school in Benton, IL; Winnie Riedel's Album p. 18

Benton: Winnie Thurmond back right;
at her school in Benton, IL;
Winnie Riedel's Album p. 19

Winnie Thurmond;
Winnie Riedel's Album

Winnie Thurmond second from left;
Photo labeled: This print was finished by the Kodak Department
of Machiels (sic) Studio, 116 S. Main St., Benton, IL Winnie Riedel's Album
Winnie Riedel's Album

Winnie Thurmond on left; Unknown on right.
Winnie Riedel's Album

Elizabeth Thurmond (Thurman), Winnie Thurmond (Riedel);
Neither Winnie nor Elizabeth were married when they taught in Benton.
This photo could be anywhere � their home in Kentucky or in Benton.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Same dress as next photo - Winnie?;
Winnie Riedel's Album

Rosiclare? Winnie Thurmond second from left;
Where might this have been taken?
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Winnie Riedel on left;
Winnie Riedel's Album

Benton? Winnie Riedel on left.
This fence appears in a number of the photos.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Benton? Aunt Elizabeth Thurmond in middle, Uncle Steve on left????;
Steve (left?) was Aunt Elizabeth's husband, but this is a guess and I think it is
not a good guess. Elizabeth in middle. This bridge appears in a number of the
photos so this is probably in Benton (?) and we don't think Steve was in Benton.
But that might be wrong too. Winnie Riedel's Album

Pretty sure Winnie is on left.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Benton? Winnie Thurmond and unknown;
We would love to find out who this man is.
It is not Henry Riedel who she later married.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Benton? Winnie Riedel's Album

Rosiclare? Benton? at a wedding?
The hair is right from Winnie Thurmond but the eyes seem wrong.
Mom thinks this is probably not Winnie Thurmond. Were they bridesmaids?
Also Winnie is usually the tallest woman in any picture.
Does anyone know where this photo might have been taken?
Winnie Riedel's Album

Benton? Winnie Riedel's Album

Benton? Who are these men?
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Winnie Thurmond and Henry Riedel on left;
Probably not in Benton.
Winnie and Henry married in 1922
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Benton? This bridge seemed popular for photos.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Aunt Elizabeth and maybe Steve Thurman or a previous suitor;
Steve came from Hodgenville, KY.
Winnie Riedel's Album

Elizabeth and Winnie Thurmond.
Same bridge as other photos? Benton?
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Winnie (left) and Elizabeth Thurmond;
Winnie Riedel's Album

Benton? Winnie Thurmond and "the man";
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Benton? This is the unknown man. Where is this taken?
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Winnie Thurmond
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Aunt Elizabeth third from left; Could be in Benton?
Winnie Riedel's Album.

We have no idea who this is.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

This was probably taken in Kentucky because there are other Thurmond
family members in it. Aunt Mabel Thurmond and Winnie Thurmond on right.
Might be Eugenia and Sanford on left, followed by Aunt Elizabeth (definite).
"I am wondering if this might have been taken at Mammoth Cave."
Winnie Riedel's Album.

Winnie Thurmond on left. Unknown woman on right.
Winnie Riedel's Album.

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