His relative Karl Benziger had begun selling religious articles in 1716, renting a business from the local Benedictine order and traveling through Europe to sell his goods, a business continued and expanded by his son Sales Benziger.
The French invasion of Switzerland forced him to take flight with his family, and for about a year they resided at Feldkirch, Austria, where his eldest son, Charles, was born.
In 1800, Benziger and his family returned to Einsiedeln, which had been devastated by pillage and army requisitions.
Benziger, who had lost most of his fortune in the war, rebuilt his business as a Catholic printing house.
[3] Benziger was also politically active, serving as president of Feldkirch District during the famine of 1817.