Fern Marie Benkelman

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, February 10, 1928
Vol. 23, No. 23

Junior Class Lost Honor Student
Death of Fern M. Benkelman is mourned by a Large Circle of Friends

A death mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives and one of that greatly shocked the entire community was that of Miss Fern Marie Benkelman, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman, who passed away unexpectedly shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday night, February 2, after a ten day illness with pneumonia. She was nearly 16 years of age, her birthday being March 27, 1912.

Fern was an honor student of the Cass City High School, her name appearing each year among those who won special honors in their monthly and semester standings. She was a member of the Junior Class, the Girls' Glee club, and president of the community club, a school organization. Twice she was elected to represent the local school in a statewide academic contest for the high school pupils, at the Central Normal at Mt. Pleasant, both years winning honors for her school.

Her activities in church work were also outstanding and made her a much admired and loved member of the Evangelical Sunday School, Junior choir, and Butzbach Missionary Circle. Fern served as an assistant pianist at this church, faithfully and efficiently.

Rev. C.F. Smith, pastor of the Evangelical church officiated at the funeral service which was held at the family residence Monday afternoon and attended by one of the largest companies of relatives and friends ever gathered at a similar occasion in this community. Members of the Junior class, numbering about 60, attended the services in a body, and bore the many beautiful floral tokens of affection to the Elkland cemetery where the burial services were held in the chapel.

Donald and Robert WALLACE, Lester BATTEL, Clark HELWIG, Maurice JOOS and Edward SCHWEGLER served as pallbearers.

Friends and relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. William ACKERMAN of Hartford City, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. WAHL and son, Mr. and Mrs. Milton GILBERT, C. WAHL and Mr. and Mrs. Albert WAHL, all of Bad Axe; Henry BENDER and Mrs. Druit CAPLING of Caro; Rev. and Mrs. F.L. POHLY, Mr. and Mrs. John SCHWALM and Marjorie HESS, all of Sebewaing, Mr. and Mrs. Walter GRAICHEN, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur GETZE, and Albert HIRZEL, all of Forestville; Miss Marjorie SICKLES of Saginaw, Mrs. W.J. CARPENTER of Flint; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. BROWN of Pigeon; Mrs. Wm. SMITH and Albert and Miss Bertha YIETTER, all of Harbor Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. KOSANKE and sons, Ralph and Donald of Pontiac.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
January 8, 1909
Local Items, Page 4

Ernest Schwader, Joseph Benkelman, Philip Much and Herbert Wood returned to college at Lansing Monday after spending several days at their parental homes here.


Cass City Chronicle
October 6, 1933
Local Happenings, Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman and William Ackerman spend Sunday afternoon at the Adolph Wahl home near Bad Axe.

Cass City Chronicle
January 21, 1949
Local News, Page 4

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman visited with Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL near Bad Axe Sunday afternoon.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 20, 1968
Page Four

Benkelman rites held Friday

Joseph Benkelman, lifelong resident of this area, died Tuesday, June 11, at Hills and Dale General Hospital. Mr. Benkelman, retired farmer, was 78.

He had been a patient at Hills and Dale for one day.

Mr. Benkelman was born October 5, 1889 in Elkland Township. He and Miss Esther Ackerman were married June 10, 1911 in Cass City.

Survivors are his widow and a brother, Ward, of Cass City.

Services were conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, by Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church, and Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, retired pastor. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Joseph married Esther Selma Ackerman on 10 Jun 1911 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Esther (daughter of William Akerman and Marie Wittwer) was born on 12 Feb 1888 in Minden City, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 9 Feb 1980 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, February 14, 1980

Rites held for Esther Benkelman

Esther Selma Benkelman, 91, of Cass City died last Thursday at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro after a brief illness.

She was born February 12, 1888, near Minden City, the daughter of William and Marie (Wittmer) ACKERMAN.

Miss Ackerman married Joseph A. Benkelman June 10, 1911 in Cass City. He died June 11, 1968.

Mrs. Benkelman was one of the oldest members of Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City. She was also a member of the Dorcas Circle of United Methodist Women.

She is survived by three nieces, Mrs. Gordon THOMAS of East Lansing, Mrs. J. Franklin BECK of Mt. Gilead, Ohi and Andrew BLODGET of Hurtford City, Indiana. One daughter, Fern Marie, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were conducted Monday morning from Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Eldred Kelley of Salem United Methodist church officiating. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

(Research):Cass City Chronicle
July 31, 1958

......eleven members of the Class (of 1905 of Cass City High School) were present at the reunion Thursday. They were: Frances McBurney-Gravatt of Houston, TX; Cecil Krapf-Allen of Royal Oak, Jennie Ferguson-Doerr of Fostoria; Ethel Dodge-Rambo of Marlette; Mae Williamson-Marshall of Gagetown, and the following of Cass City; Mr. Auten, Mr. Schwaderer, Miss Adeline Gallagher, Jennie Leek-Hutchinson, Esther Ackerman-Benkelman and Mollie Ackerman-Lenzner....

Notes:

Married:
THE STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST-1961 reported that The Joseph Benkelmans celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on June Tenth. They were entertained by the E.U.B. Ladies' Aid at dinner, and their friends gave them another dinner. The 1967 issue reported that they celebrated their 55th anniversary with a dinner in Frankenmuth with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Esau and Leonard Striffler.

Notes:

Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs wrote that "Sam Benkelman, brother of Little George, John and Ben, also came west in 1880 for the wedding of Little George. He took one look at Kansas and high tailed it back to Denver where he spent two years as a carpenter for the D&RG railroad...then returned to Cass City where he devoted his life to residential construction. He apparently built most of the homes of all of our relatives there. "

Cass City Chronicle
August 18, 1899
Chroniclings, page 8

Sam Benkelman is travelling in the interest of the Wettlaufer & Ratz Manufacturing Company, and will visit Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant and other points.


Cass City Enterprise
April 3, 1902
Local Happenings, Page 1
S.G. Benkelman is now manager at the Cass City Foundry, the former manager, Ed Brotherton, being engaged in putting in the new machinery for the Cass City Brick and Tile Co.

Cass City Chronicle
August 28, 1936
Page 4

Samuel G. Benkelman experienced a genuine surprise Wednesday evening when a number of relatives and friends came to his home on East Third Street to celebrate his 79th birthday. A potluck supper and euchre were enjoyed. Mr. Benkelman received many nice gifts.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 27, 1940
Death Called Two Well Known Citizens Sunday-Chas. D. Striffler and Samuel G. Benkelman Have Long Resided in Elkland

Samuel G. Benkelman, who had been a resident of Elkland Township for 73 years, died at his home on East Third Street. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Angus McPhall residence. Rev. Paul J. Allured of Kinde, former pastor of the Cass City Presbyterian Church, officiated. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery. Samuel G. Benkelman was born in Bowmansville, New York, August 26, 1857, and came to Elkland Township with his parents, Adam and Catherine Benkelman, in 1865. Since that time with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived in this township. During 1882 and 1883, he was employed in railroad construction on the line from Pueblo, Colorado, to New Mexico. For many years he was engaged in farming on the Elkland-Greenleaf town line and on a farm one-half mile north of Elkland Cemetery. In 1913, he constructed a comfortable residence on East Third Street and since that time he and Mrs. Benkelman have resided in Cass City. He spent several years in working at the carpenter trade and there are many pieces of woodwork such as lamps, candlesticks and checkerboards in his home which are truly a work of art. They were a hobby of his for years. When Mr. Benkelman retired about seven years ago, he decided to keep himself busy by making things out of wood that he had never before found time to make. For some time he was manager and part owner of a foundry here. Mr. Benkelman was of a quiet, reserved nature, and although he never sought office, he was elected to the position of village trustee and as chief of fire department. Mr. Benkelman's first wife, the former Lydia STRIFFLER, passed away in 1887. Their son, Benjamin, died in infancy and their daughter, Mrs. Bertha WILLIAMS, May 16, 1929. He was married to Miss Mary STRIFFLER in 1888. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Joseph and Ward BENKELMAN, and two brothers, John A. and Benjamin F. BENKELMAN, all of Cass City. Both brothers are spending the winter in Florida.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900 A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 5B

HH 109-112 Adam (b. 1861 NY) and Susan MUCK (b. 1862, NY)

HH 110-113
Bankleman, Samuel Hd W M August 1857 42 M 18 NY Germany Ger
many
Bankleman, Mary Wife W F Dec 1861 48 M 18 3/3 Mo Germany Germany
Bankleman, Bertha Dtr W F August 1883 16 S Mich NY Mich
Bankleman, Joseph Son W M Oct 1889 10 S Micg NY Mo
Bankleman, Ward Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Mich NY Mo
Striffer, Joseph F in Law W M Spet 1826 73 W 40 Mich (sic) NY (sic) Mo (sic)

Samuel married Mary Striffler on 28 Nov 1888. Mary (daughter of Joseph Striffler and Rosina Margaretha Ballbach) was born on 8 Dec 1860 in Madison, Monroe County, Missouri; died on 5 Aug 1952 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, January 23, 1931
"Thirty-five years ago: January 24, 1896"

At the Evangelical church, the following Sunday School officers have been elected for the ensuing year: Supt., Mrs. Lena SCHWEGLER; ass't supt., Mrs. Mary BENKELMAN; sec., J. MAIER; treas., Adam BENKELMAN; librarian, Miss Lillie Striffler; ass't librarian, Miss Maud MAIER; organist, Miss Martha STRIFFLER; ass't organist, Oscar LENZNER.

Cass City Chronicle
August 8, 1952, page 1

Mrs. Benkelman, Pioneer Resident, Buried Thursday

Cass City lost a respected member of its community Thursday morning when Mrs. Mary Benkelman, 91, died at her home here after a period of declining health. A pioneer resident of this community, Mrs. Benkelman had spent over three-quarters of a century in Cass City and Elkland Township. The daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Striffler, she was born Dec. 8, 1860 in Madison, Mo., and with her father and sister, the late Mrs. Jacob MEIER, came to Elkland Township in 1875.

Mrs. Benkelman married Samuel G. Benkelman Nov. 28, 1888. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1988 and Mr. Benkelman died in 1940.

Mrs. Benkelman was one of the founders of the Woman's Study Club in Cass City and served as president of the organization in 1910 and 1927. She was a member of the Adult Ladies's Class of the Methodist Church.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Douglas Funeral Home. Rev. F.W. Porter, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiated and burial was in Elkland Cemetery. Surviving are two sons, Joseph and Ward Benkelman of Cass City, a niece, Miss Laura MAIER, and a nephew, Fred MAIER.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

Notes:

Married:
Lorraine Smith Benkelman transcribed the following letters from Salome to her brother, George Albert

November 29, 1888

Today is Sam and Mary's wedding day. Rev. N. Wienderlich performs the ceremony. I was not invited....

Notes:

BonnieMargaret Jacob's indicates, on page 18 of her 1981 unpublished manuscript THE FAMILY BENKELMAN, that the origin of the name ACKERMANN was occupational, meaning "Farmer" in German.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 3, 1941
Page One

Funeral William J. Akerman Was Held Here On Sunday

Funeral services for William J. Akerman were held at the MacPhail & Keehn Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock and were conducted by the Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, pastor of the Evangelical Church. Interment was made in Elkland Cemetery.

Mr. Akerman passed away at Pleasant Home Hospital, where he had been a patient nine days, on Friday, Sept. 26. The cause of death was uremia.

William J. Akerman was born in Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, Germany, on May 6, 1858, and came to the United States at the age of 15 years. He first resided near Forestville in Sanilac County, and on October 27, 1884, he was united in marriage with Marie Wittwer. Mr. and Mrs. Akerman left their farm near Forestville and came to Cass City in 1905. Mrs. Akerman passed away August 17, 1929 (sic).

The deceased was employed as a painter and decorator in Cass City for many years until ill health compelled him to retire. He was a member of the Evangelical Church and served the congregation for many years as class leader and as a member of the board of trustees.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman, both of Cass City, and Mrs. Herbert Blodgett of Hartford City, Indiana; three granddaughters, Miss Andrene Blodgett of Marion, Indiana, Mrs. Gordon L. Thomas of Coral Gables, Florida, and Miss Shirley Anne Lenzner, of Wayne, and a step-sister, Mrs. William Miller, of Birmingham.

Friends and relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Blodgett and daughter, Andrene, of Hartford City, Indiana; Miss Shirley Anne Lenzner of Wayne; Mrs. William Miller, Mr. and Mrs. William A. DaLee and Mrs. Merton Weaver, all of Birmingham; Mr. and Mrs. John Wagester of Pigeon; Dr. and Mrs. E.A. Wittwer and daughter, Henrietta of Bay City; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Wahl, Mr. and Mrs. William Wahl, Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Yeitter, Dr. and Mrs. G.F. Lenzner all of Bad Axe; Frank Yeitter of Flint; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Yeitter, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, all of Harbor Beach; Mrs. H. Lee Pocklington of Algonac; Mrs. Otto Erdman and son of Forestville.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

(Research):
Census Lisitings:

1900 Census
Michigan, Sanilac County, Delaware Township West Precinct
Enumerated 1 and 2 June 1900
SD 7 ED 119 Sheet 1B
10-10
Akerman, William Hd W M May 1857 43 M 15 Germany Germany Ge
rmany 1874 Na Farmer
Akerman, Mary Wf W F Dec 1861 39 M 15 3/3 Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland
Akerman, Mollie Dtr W F Sept 1885 14 S Mich Germany Switzerland
Akerman, Ester Dtr W F Feb 1889 12 2 Mich Germany Switzerland
Akerman, Mary Dtr W F July 1889 10 S Mich Germany Switzerland

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Township, Cass City Village
Enumerated 21 Apr 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 4A Stamped 135
93-93
Akerman, William J Hd M W 51 m1 25 Germany/German x three 1895 Na Labourer Farm
Akerman, Maria S Wf F W 49 m1 25 3/3 Switzerland/German x three 1857
Akerman, Maria C Dtr F W 2? S Mich Germany/German Switzerland/German Teacher School
Akerman, Ester S Drt F W 20 S Mich Germany/Germany Switzerland/German

William married Marie Wittwer on 27 Oct 1884 in Sanilac County, Michigan. Marie was born on 12 Dec 1860 in Bern, Switzerland; died on 17 Aug 1928 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 20 Aug 1928 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 24, 1928
Vol. 24, No. 5

Mrs. Akerman Passed Away Friday

Mrs. Wm. Akerman passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, shortly before midnight on Friday, Aug. 17, following an illness with cancer. Funeral services were conducted at the Lenzner home on Monday afternoon by Rev. C.Fl. Smith, and interment was made in the Elkland cemetery.

Marie Wittwer was born in Bern, Switzerland, on Dec. 12, 1860. She came to the United States at the age of 21 and was united in marriage with Wm. Akerman at Forestville, Michigan, on Oct. 27, 1884. They resided on a farm near Forestville until 1905 when the family moved to Cass City in order to give the children the advantage of a High School education. Mrs. Akerman had formerly been affiliated with the Evangelical church at Forestville and Cass City but at the time of her death was a member of the Simpson Avenue Methodist Church in Kalamazoo with which she united during her residence in that city. She was always very interested in all matters of religious nature and passed very peacefully into the life beyond.

Besides her husband and three daughters, Mrs. Herbert Blodgett of Hartford City, Ind., Mrs. Joseph A. Benkelman and Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, both of Cass City, she leaves four brothers, Dr. E. A. Wittwer of Bay City and John, Fred and Edward Wittwer, who reside in Germany, and three grandchildren, Andrene Blodgett and Phyllis and Shirley Lenzner.

Relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Blodgett and daughter, Andrene, of Hartford City, Ind., Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Wittwer and daughter, Miss Henrietta of Bay City, Mrs. Fred Sullwold of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. John Wagester of Pigeon, Rev. J. J. Hommel of Saginaw, Fred Hirzel of Gutherie, Oklahoma, Mrs. Wm. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Staudaker and Mrs. G. Staudaker, all of Croswell, Mr. and Mrs. George Mast and Mr. and Mrs. John Schwalm, all of Sebewaing, Albert and Miss Bertha Yietter, Mrs. G. Koahn and Anna Saumseillor, all of Harbor Beach, Albert Hirzel, Alva and Fred Harnish, all of Forestville.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Notes:

BonnieMargaret, in the process of writing her manuscript, also read about Schw?bisch folkways. She reported that when each of Leonhard's sons were born, they would have been wrapped by his mother and the midwives in attendance in a shirt belonging to their father and placed on the floor, where the father would then pick him up as an act of recognition and claiming. The infant would be christened as soon as possible before any witch could place a spell on him or her. The godparents would be summoned and the christening would take place, and only at that time would the child's name be revealed. They kept the area the baby slept in lit, so no changeling could be put in his or her place. The baby was not taken from his home for six weeks, after which time the family would begin to visit friends and neighbors. The child was then presented a "schwatzei" or chatter egg, from each of the neighbors, who would lightly tap the child on the mouth with the egg, to pass along the gift of speech. (pp. 70, 71) She also wrote that "according to parish record, he was actually born on the Schmitthof, nearby the Schneiderhof. Probably sometimes it was necessary to go to the midwife....The jurisdiction at the time was the Oberamt Welzheim, and that appears on the death certificate of both Adam and [sister] Louisa Benkelman...Waldhausen Parish is now in the jurisdication of Waldhausen-Lorch and that is where the records are to be found [post 1938]." (p. 127)

On the German church registry, he is shown as a citizen of Waldhausen, a master barrel maker, and belonging to the Schneiderhof near Lorch, renting in B?rtlingen. They also show he emigrated to America in June 1851. None of his children were listed because they are all born in the United States. Waldhausen Parish was nearby Lorch, within the Oberamt Welzheim. BonnieMargaret writes (p. 73) that Adam was accepted to a trades training program in Waldhausen, despite his father not being citizen of that parish or a member of that guild. He completed his training and was considered a master cooper.

BonnieMargaret later noted that Adam would have been about 14 when he began is training as a cooper. "..he would have gone into one of the training houses where the young apprentices lived together while they learned the rudiments of their craft. After several years of apprenticeship, Adam would have begin the 'wandering' that was a traditional part of the training of the journeymen artisans. During those years he woudl travel from village to village, living in the guild housing and working with other journeymen who were proving their skills and providing evidence of their reliability and good character. Adam's admittance into the trades is an example of the flexibility of the W?rttemberg laws governing these things. Strict compliance with the law would have meant that Adam could not have entered this training, since one of the requirements was legitimate ancestry. His father had proved himself a responsible person [however] ...and there is some evidence that Adam's mother came from a substantial and respected family, which would have helped." (p. 127).

Johann Adam Benkelmann and Catherine Benkelmann were referenced as applying to emigrate to North America in 1851 by Schenk, Trudy and Froelke, Ruth THE W?rttemberg EMIGRATION INDEX Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Vol. 5. 1988. 240 p. Source Code 8057.8, p 14. Also listed with them were Johann Georg Benkelmann (1850) and Johannes Benkelman (1851).

The following was excerpted from the "Memoirs of John A. Benkelman" (published posthumously) by Hilda Jane Stickley Benkelman in 1966. John A. Benkelman was the third child of Johann Adam and Catherine (Schiefle) Benkelman. Hilda Stickley Benkelman was John Benkelman's daughter in law, and compiled the book based on the stories he told over and over again to his children.

Adam Benkelman and his wife, Catherine Scheifle Benkelman left Hamburg, Germany, shortly after their marriage in 1850 (sic). Upon arrival in America, they traveled by train to Lancaster, Erie County, New York, to the home of John Scheifle, brother of Catherine. They spent one year with the Scheifles, and it was there that their first son, George, was born.

Their next move was to Bowmansville, Erie County, New York, where the remaining children were born.

Adam Benkelman was a cooper and learned his trade in Germany, where he was kept busy every winter making sap buckets, barrels, kegs and churns which were bought and used by many of his neighbors.

Adam's sisters, Mary and Louise were married to John and Jacob Striffler. They lived in New York State, near Adam and his family. The Striffler brothers bought land in Tuscola County, Michigan, without seeing it first, for $2.00 an acre. In 1860, they moved their families to Watrousville. From there, they walked back and forth to their land and build two log homes. Adam came to visit in 1864, and bought himself 80 acres of land. It was $3.00 an acre, and covered with virgin pine. The land was one mile east and one mile north of the town of Cass City, Michigan. In 1964, a centennial marker was placed at the farm, since it had been owned by the same family for 100 years.

Adam and his family stayed in New York State through the end of the Civil War. Adam worked at a barrel factory as a cooper for Mr. Looney, for whom the town was named. It was a thriving town, near the New York Central railroad, and a passenger and freight depot was not far from the Benkelman home.

When Lincoln was assasinated on April 14, 1865, there was a great deal of argument over his death among the townspeople. Some thought that he should not have been at the theatre, others worried about the future of the country. The train carrying his body to Springfield, Ilinois went through the town. The train and engine were clothed in black. It stopped in Looneville to take on water and supplies at the depot. In a short time, a large crowd gathered to pay respects to this great man. They stood silently, with hats in hand. They stood spellbound until the train was well out of sight, taking President Lincoln to his last resting place.

Adam moved his family to Michigan shortly thereafter, sometime in May or June of 1865. They sent the furniture ahead by freight. When the family reached Pine Run (Vassar), Michigan, they hired a driver to take them the rest of the way. At Centerville (Caro), they were all tired and hungry, so the driver stopped at an old inn run by the a Mr. Velmer, who came to help them off the wagon. George, the oldest child, jumped off, then Louisa, John, Sam, Will, Mary and finally the baby, Ben. The innkeeper laughed and said "For God's sake, how many more are up there?"

By the time the Civil War was over, most of the aggressive, war-like Indians that had resided in around Tuscola County had migrated westward beyond the Mississippi River. There were however scattered camps of peaceful Indians still living in Tuscola County. The early settlers had no reason to fear these Indians. The Indian children often came out to the road to play with the white children, especially those of the Seeger family whose Father had been mistakenly shot for a bear at Elk Lake. An old Indian called Riley often stopped at the Benkelman house at noon time, sometimes eating, and sometimes stretching out on the bare floor for the night. In the morning, he would be gone and often did not return for many months.

Adam and his family lived in an old building on the land of Louisa and Jacob Striffler until Adam was able to build a log home on his land, which he completed around 1871. Sam and John later built the house that is still standing on the farm today. Adam used oxen both to haul the lumber and to help him with farming. He bought his first team of horses in 1873.

The first garden that the family had was grown around the stumps and logs, but they did have a lot of vegetables that fall. The first fruit trees were planted from seeds of apples bought from a man who peddled the apples in the fall with a horse and wagon. The first wheat was planted in a small patch of ground, cradled by hand the next year and threshed on the floor by hand. Later, Adam had six acres of wheat to cut and he hired a good cradler to cut it. The other members of the family followed with twine and tied the wheat in bundles. This wheat was threshed by a machine that was operated with horses. The twine had to be cut and handled seperately by men at the side of the machine. The grain was winnowed and ground to flour by hand. Eventually, they could take the wheat to a water-powered mill at Wahjamega on the Cass River. This took two days to accomplish.

The first spring after they moved to Michigan, George, the eldest son, brought home an orphaned fawn. His mother was not pleased about having a a wild deer in the house, which he was as the weather was still quite chilly, however she consented after much teasing on the part of her children. They named the fawn Dickie, and he stayed in the yard all that next summer, making no attempt to leave. When winter came, Adam made his children a sled and harness. They taught Dickie to take directions like a trained reindeer, and neighborhood children gathered for miles around to have a sled ride.

The fawn was a wild animal however. Once it crashed through a window of their home, when startled by Catherine. Dickies fate was sealed after Adam had bought a bushel of apples from a man in Watrousville, and then saved the seeds for an orchard. (He planted them and they had grown to) nice little seedling trees which he kept close track of, his heart set on an apple orchard.... but in the fall, Dickie ate all the seedlings down to the roots. Adam was so provoked by the deer that he shot him, and used him for meat as it was hunting time. All the children cried bitterly and refused to eat. John related that "then poor Father was sorry that he had destroyed our pet deer."

The first Evangelical Church meeting held in Cass City was in Adam's log house, where the Benkelman farm is now located. A few of the early families of German descent wanted a Church to worship in, similar to their accustomed form. Rev. Henny, the Evangelical minister in Sebewaing at the time was invited to meet with the group to preach and help organize a Church in Cass City. He rode from Sebewaing on horseback.

Bonnie Petee abstracted the following regarding the Evangelical Association from "The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and Illustrations," H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. "A class of this church which is commonly known as the German Methodist, was organized in the town of Elkland about the year 1866, by the Rev. Stephen Henne in connection with the Sebewaing mission. The class numbered about fifteen members. It has had regular services from that time to the present, and a regular succession of pastors. Services being held in the school-house, one mile north and one-half mile east of Cass City. In the latter part of 1882, a formal organization was effected at Cass City, and steps taken for the construction of a house of worship, which is now in course of construction. The earnest zeal of the members and their individual labors and contributions of material have reduced the estimated cost of the building to about $1,500. The pastor of the church at the present time is the Rev. B. F. Wade, who resides on his farm in the town of Elkland. The membership is about fifty. There is a preaching every second Sunday; prayer-meeting and Sunday-school every Sabbath. The trustees of the church are, John Benkelman, Fred Krapf, Oscar Sencner (Lenzner?), Levi Muntz and Adam Benkelman."

The Benkelman family continued to stay heavily involved in the affairs of the church, as this January 24, 1896 news article notes:

At the Evangelical church, the following Sunday School officers have been elected for the ensuing year: Supt., Mrs. Lena SCHWEGLER; ass't supt., Mrs. Mary BENKELMAN; sec., J. MAIER; treas., Adam BENKELMAN; librarian, Miss Lillie Striffler; ass't librarian, Miss Maud MAIER; organist, Miss Martha STRIFFLER; ass't organist, Oscar LENZNER.

The following death notices appeared in the local Cass City Paper after Adam's death:

From the Cass City Enterprise
Published in Cass City, Mich., Dec. 30, 1897

Adam Benkelman, one of our oldest residents and most highly respected, passed away this morning (Thursday), at the age of seventy-two years. The immediate cause of his decease is said to have been diabetes. The funeral services will be held Sunday, at his late residence on Houghton Street at ten o'clock and at the Evangelical Church at 10:30. Obituary next week.

From the Cass City Enterprise
Published in Cass City, Mich., Jan. 6, 1898

Another Pioneer Gone

Adam Benkelman was born in Oberamt Welzheim, Wurtemberg, Germany on the thirteenth of February 1825. In the year 1851 he was married to Catherine Scheufele, who accompanied him to America shortly after. His first home in America was in the State of New York, where he resided fourteen years. In 1865 he came to this place where he lived on the farm one mile east and three-quarters of a mile north of Cass City until 1881, then moved to the village where he has since lived.

As a citizen, Mr. Benkelman was respected by all. His pioneer days here were filled with the hardships of pioneer life, but not disheartened by his surroundings, he toiled on until his timbered land was cleared. All his dealing and business transactions were strictly honest. He practiced honesty and inculcated the same principle in the minds of his children.

Mr. Benkelman was a member of the Lutheran Church until 1867, when he was converted and joined the Evangelical Association, under the pastorate of Rev. S. Heune, the first Evangelical minister that preached in this neighborhood. There being no church or school house in which to hold meetings Mr. Benkelman opened his house as a place of public worship. After his conversion he lived a devoted christian life. He was a regular attendant at all meetings of the church, his seat never being vacant unless sickness would not allow him to be present. Not only could he be found at the meeting, but his children were early taught to go to church and would accompany him to the place of worship. His love for the Lord's house was great. He supported the church not only by his prayers, but he also gave very liberally. He was a pillar in the church and remained a true and faithful member to the end. For thirty-one years he had been a subscriber to the "Christliche Botschafter.**"

His health has been poorly for several months, but not until recently was he confined to his bed. The last few weeks was a time of great suffering, but he endured it all with a childlike spirit. All that human skill and wisdom could do was done, but of no avail. He patiently resigned to the will of God and did not murmur at his lot until it pleased Him who is all wise and the great Author of Life and Death to put an end to his pain by removing his spirit to realms above where suffering cannot come.

His deeply sorrowing widow, one daughter, five sons and twenty grandchildren, besides three brothers and three sisters and a large circle of relatives and friends are left to mourn his departure. On the 29?sup?th?/sup? of Dec., 1897, he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus at the ripe age of 72 years, 10 months and sixteen days.

The funeral occurred on Sunday, Jan. 2?sup?nd?/sup?, from the Evangelical Church. Rev. W Bergey, of Elkton, preached in the German language from Phil. 1. 21, and the writer made a few remarks in the English based on 1 Sam. Xx. 18. His remains were laid in their last resting place there to await the resurrection morn.

In the same paper, the following notice was also published:

Leonard Benkelman, from Wisconsin, brother of the late Adam Benkelman, is in town and will remain for some time.

Detail of Death Certificate: County Tuscola, Township Elkland, Village Cass City ADAM BENKELMAN DOD 30 Dec 1897 Place of Death Cass City, Male, White, Married 26 years, Age 72 yrs, 10 mos, 17 days, Parent of 7 children, 6 living, Born Germany, Occupation Farmer, Father Leonard Benkelman, Mother Dora Stahley, (Both born in Germany), proposed date of burial Jan 2, 1897 (sic), Elkland cemetery, Undertaker A.A. McKenzie, Cass City MI Attending Physician H.P. Edwards, Attended the deceased from June 10, 1895 to Dec 30, 1897, last seen alive on Dec 30, 1897

**Der Christliche Botschafter was the first religious paper in the German language in America. Founded in 1836 it became a stimulus to the rapid growth of the Evangelical Association and a valuable means of recording the progressive movements of the denomination. It was a significant agency in building Christian and denominational bonds.

(Research):Census Information:

The family was listed as follows on the 1860 Federal Censu
s for Erie County, New York:
Bowmansville Post Office Town of Lancaster Enumeration date 13 June 1860
#36-36 Adam Benkerman 35 Cooper $500/$150 Germany
Catherine 37 Germany
George 9 New York
Louisa 7 New York
John 4 New York
Samuel 3 New York
Mary 2 New York

The family was listed as follows on the 1870 Federal Census for Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Township,
#54-54 Benkelmann, Adam 45 Farmer 2010 360 Ger/Wirtenberg
", Catherine 47 Keeping House Ger/Wirtenberg
", George 19 At home NY
", Louisa 17 At home NY
", John 14 At school NY
", Samuel 13 At school NY
", Mary 11 At school NY
", William 9 NY
", Benjamin 7 NY

1880 Federal Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan Source:FHL Film 1254607
National Archives Film T9-0607 Page 95B
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Adam BENKELMANSelfMMW55WERTENBURG Occ:CooperFa: WERTENBURGMo: WERTENBURG
Cathrine BENKELMANWifeFMW59WERTENBURG Occ:Keeping HouseFa: WERTENBURGMo: WERTENBURG

Johann married Anna Catharina Schaufele on 24 Feb 1851 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Johannes Schaufele and Anna Maria Reick) was born on 23 Aug 1823 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 23 Dec 1906 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

As noted in the "Memoirs of John A. Benkelman" by Hilda Jane Stickley Benkelman, when Catherine and Adam first immigrated to the United States, they lived with her brother Johann Scheifle in Erie County New York. I was, however, unable to locate a Johann/John Scheifle on either the 1850 or 1860 census. I did find a Gottlieb Scheifly on both however.

Hilda Jane further wrote that "Catherine was a favorite in the community. She was jolly and fat, a very good cook of German style dishes, and a mother to everyone in the neighborhood. A good midwife, she was called in by the neighbors in case of sickness or for confinements as there were few doctors around at that time. She helped bring more than 100 babies into the world. "

Catherine made a home for her nephew, Leonard Buerhly, when he first came to Cass City. Leonard was the son of her sister Marie.

Cass City Chronicle
November 1, 1901
Local Mention, Page Eight

Grandma Benkelman has rented her property on East Houghton Street and has disposed of all her household goods and will henceforth make her home with Mrs. Lena Schwegler.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 28, 1906

Died Suddenly

Mrs. Catherine Benkelman, aged eighty-three years, died suddenly at her home on East Main street Sunday evening, December 23. While eating with Mrs. M. M. Schwegler she suddenly became unconscious from which condition she did not recover. She has been troubled with heart disease for many years.

Catherine Scheifele was born August 23, 1823 in Boertlingen, Germany. In the year 1837 she was confirmed. She was united in marriage to Adam Benkelman in Germany in 1851 and they came to America the same year, living in Bowmansville, N.Y., until 1865. That year they came to Cass City, residing on a farm northeast of town. By hard work and frugal living Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman acquired a goodly portion of property and in 1884 they retired from active life and move to town to spend their remaining days. Mr. Benkelman died nine year ago on the 27?sup?th?/sup? of December and nearly ever since that time Mrs. Benkelman had resided with Mrs. M.M. Schwegler on east Main street, the ladies enjoying each other's companionship to the fullest extent. Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman were the parents of seven children, one daughter dying at the age of fifteen. The remaining children, five sons and one daughter, are: George A. of St. Francis, Kansas, William F. of Owosso, Benjamin F., Samuel G. and John A. Benkelman and Mrs. Louisa Schwegler of this place. She also leaves twenty-five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

All her children were present at the funeral services which took place Thursday forenoon at the Evangelical church of which the deceased was an honored and beloved member, and the burial was made in Elkland cemetery. The pallbearers were five sons and a grandson, W.J. Schwegler. The funeral service was largely attended.

Mrs. Benkelman was a lady of beautiful character, loving and kind in disposition and will be missed by many who found in her a good neighbor and friend.

Detail of Death Certificate: Tuscola County, Village of Cass City, CATHERINE BENKELMAN, Female, White, DOB 23 Aug 1823, 83 yrs, 4 mos, 0 days, Married at age 28 years, parent of 7 children, 6 living, Born Germany, Father Schifley, Germany, Mother Not Known, Occupation Housewife, Informant J.A. Benkelman, DOD 23 Dec 1906, Attending Physician W.W. Wickwars, Cass City, Dates December 1904 to Dec 23, 1906 last seen alive on Dec 23 at 6 pm, Burial Elkland Dec 27, 1906, Undertaker H Polk Cass City

A copy can be seen here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Catheren Benkelman

(Research):

Census Records, her brother??

1850 US Census
New York Erie County Buffalo Ward 4 23 Aug 1850 ---
1808 Gottlieb Scheifly 25 M Shoemaker Germany
Maria Scheifly 24 F Germany
Georg Scheifly 2 M New York

1860 US Census
New York Erie County Bowmansville
725-725 Godlip Sheifley 35 M Shoemaker $500 Germany
Mary Sheifley 34 F Baden
George Shufley 12 M NY
John " 10 M NY
Godlip " 7 M NY
William " 5 M NY
Frederick " 2 M NY
Charles Fink 19 M Shoemaker Germany
Christina Shufly 17 F NY


Gottlieb would have been born ca. 1825. Kathy Bonnell's transcription of Baptismal records do not show a son named Gottlieb born at that time. Catherine did have a brother Johannes born ca. 1828. Could his middle name be Gottlieb? Could he be the child named Gottlob born ca 1830? The baptismal records, however, show that son died ca. 1843.

Notes:

Married:
Catharina and Adam were married in B?rtlingen.

On May 16, 2002, Ingolf Vogel noted that "The Kingdom of W?rttemberg was made up of four Kreises - the Neckarkreis, the Schwarzwaldkreis, the Jagstkreis and the Donaukreis. These Kreises were much larger than today's Kreises. Each of them was divided into so-called Ober?mter which are more similar in size to today's Kreises. The Oberamt for B?rtlingen was Kirchheim.. Incidently the Oberamt Kirchheim was the only Oberamt of the Donaukreis west of the Schw?bische Alb (a mountain range). B?rtlingen (today Kreis G?ppingen) has only 745 people listed in it's telephone directory, so it probably doesn't have more than 2000-3000 inhabitants.

Adam and Catharina were married in February, 1851, and in June, 1851 they were formally released from the Kingdom of W?rttemberg and would be free to emigrate.

Notes:

Tri-County Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., Friday, February 28, 1902
Vol. 3 No 41
Page 1

Passed the Portals

Another Pioneer citizen, Joseph Striffler, passed away last Tuesday morning. During the past three years he had been gradually failing, and most of the time was as helpless as a child. During all those weary weeks and months he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Samuel BENKELMAN, who with unusual filial love cared for her father, although at times the care and anxiety thurst upon her became exceedingly burdensome. Joseph Striffler, during his younger years, was a man of sterling character, always true to his convictions and was more than ordinarily successful in the affairs of this world. His days were many. He lived to be nearly 77 years old. The deceased was born in Alsace, Germany, Sept. 17, 1825. He came to American with his parents in his fourth year and settled in Erie county, N.Y. In the year 1854 he was united in marriage to with Rosanna BALBASH of Lancaster, N.Y. and the same year moved to Scotland County, Mo., residing there elven years and from thence removed to Lee County, Ia. In November, 1876, he moved with his two daughters, and a foster child, now Mrs. J. BENKELMAN, his wife having died the previous year, to Cass City, where he has lived ever since. His two daughters, Mrs. Jacob MAIER and Mrs. Samuel BENKELMAN, survive him. The funeral was held at the Evangelical church on Thursday morning, Rev. L. BRUMM officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Elkland Cemetery.

Note: Joseph Striffler's foster daughter was Augusta Krehl, who married John Adam Benkelman.

A copy of his actual death certificate can be viewed online here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Joseph Striffler



(Research):
Census Information:

1850 Census
New York, Erie County, Lancaster
Enumerated 23 Aug 1850
Page 200
1048-1082
Otil Strifler 59 F $2550 Germany
Jacob Strifler 30 M Farmer
Susanna Strifler 27 F
Joseph Stifler 24 M Farmer
Christian Strifler 22 m Farmer
John Strifler 17 Farmer New York (sic)
David Strifler 14


1860 Census
Missouri, Scotland County, Green Township
Enumerated 31 July 1860
Page 196
1405-1376
Joseph Striffler 35 M Farmer $500 $375 France
Rosanna Striffler 25 F Wirtemberg
Fanny Striffler 4 F Iowa

1870 Census
Iowa, Lee County, Franklin Twp, P.O. Franklin Center
Enumerated July 1870
27-27
Striffler, Joseph 45 M W Farmer $4000 $7600 France
Striffler, Rosina 35 F W Keeping House Wurttemburg
Striffler, Fannie 14 F W Attending School Iowa
Striffler, Mary 8 F W Mo

1880 Federal Census, Michigan, Tuscola, Elkland, ED 400
Page Fifteen SD 3D ED 400
Enumerated on the 12th of June 1880
George D. Peterhaus
C, 96
#140-140
Striffler, Joseph W M 54 Farmer France France France
Striffler, Mary W F 19 Daughter Housekeeper NY? France Wurtemberg
???, Augusta W F 10 Boarder At School Iowa Wurtemberg Bavaria (Foster Child?)

The home immediately following his was that of Jacob & Louisa Striffler.

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900 A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 5B

HH 109-112 Adam (b. 1861 NY) and Susan MUCK (b. 1862, NY)

HH 110-113
Bankleman, Samuel Hd W M August 1857 42 M 18 NY Germany Germany
Bankleman, Mary Wife W F Dec 1861 48 M 18 3/3 Mo Germany Germany
Bankleman, Bertha Dtr W F August 1883 16 S Mich NY Mich
Bankleman, Joseph Son W M Oct 1889 10 S Micg NY Mo
Bankleman, Ward Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Mich NY Mo
Striffer, Joseph F in Law W M Spet 1826 73 W 40 Mich (sic) NY (sic) Mo (sic)

Joseph married Rosina Margaretha Ballbach about 1854 in New York. Rosina was born on 12 Jan 1935 in W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 17 Apr 1874 in Lee County, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Might instead by Rosanna Ballach (Art Peck, quoting from Roy J. Striffler's notes), or Balbash, per the obituary of her husband, Joseph Striffler.