Benjamin McLendon: Grand Theft Auto

Benjamin McLendon was born 6 Jun 1907 in Thurber, TX to Dennis Jefferson McLendon ( 1880-1944) & Ocie Hunt (1884-1961).

I will go in chronological order as he has more than one conviction.

Inmate: #44830 New York State Prison

Rec: 28 Jul 1931

Crime: Grand Theft Auto

Here is the link for the newspaper article on this crime.

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal-benjamin-mclendon/129448073/

Here is the article clipped from 

The Ithaca Journal

Ithaca, New York · Tuesday, October 20, 1931

1936

Inmate: #20588 Folsom Prison

Rec: 2 Nov 1936

Crime: Grand Theft Auto

SIDE NOTE: Discharge doesn't mean physically released from prison, but released from parole.

(California Penal Code (CPC) §503 – Embezzlement –Embezzlement occurs in California when a person commits a fraud in order to take property that has been entrusted to him or her. Embezzlement is actually charged as either Grand or Petty Theft.)

1940

Inmate: #6278 Idaho State Prison

Rec: 28 Sep 1940

Crime: Grand Theft Auto

He was Pardoned 21 Dec 1942, after only serving two years of his sentence.

Benjamin was married several times, his first wife was Nora Parmelia Null (1911-2003) married 28 Sep 1928 in New York. They had one child Lillian M McLendon 1929-1970.

His second wife was Doris Elaine Poole 1921-2009), I did not find a marriage date. They had a bunch of kids some still maybe be living so I will only named the ones who have passed.

Thomas J, McLendon

1944–1972

Timothy Kent McLendon

1953–2010

Karen Diane McLendon

1958–2009

Michael S McLendon

1960–2011

Doris filed for divorce, I found newspaper articles.

The Times Standard

Eureka, California

Wed, Sep 11, 1957 · Page 25

Eureka Humboldt Standard

Eureka, California · Thursday, May 22, 1958

Benjamin was arrested for drunk driving in 1965 below is the article.

The Daily Chronicle

Centralia, Washington

Mon, Oct 25, 1965 · Page 4

He was arrested for drunk driving 10 Sep 1967 in Selah, WA.

He married again to Hattie Pitts (1890-1972) on 4 Feb 1969 in Washington.

I found his WWII Draft Card

Benjamin was a barber as well as a mechanic, those are two very good trade for his era. I can see where the mechanic trade of his came in handy to steal cars. I wonder why he did it?  I find Ben's story very interesting, he traveled a lot or should I say maybe he was on the run a lot. Benjamín died 19 Jan 1975 in Toppenish, WA. I did not find an obituary for him, he is buried in the Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato, WA.

Hope you enjoyed the story of Benjamin please give me a follow, I also have a podcast on Anchor.com and a YouTube Channel. New ones will be coming soon. As always remember to add all you naughty ancestors to your tree and happy hunting.