Johann Leonhard Buehrly

Notes:

Hilda Stickley Benkelman writes that "When Leonard was eight, his father died. His mother later remarried, and life with his new stepfather was unpleasant. At age 14, using a small inheritance from an aunt to pay his passage, Leonard emigrated to America. He landed at Ellis Island with 25 cents in his pocket, and went to first live with his Uncle John Schiefle near Buffalo, New York. He worked for others on farms, and also attended school, but became very homesick for Germany. He was persuaded to visit his Aunt, Catherine Benkelman nee Schiefle in Cass City before returning to Germany, and did so. His Aunt made a home for him, and he again worked for neighboring farmers, helping to clear the land on which part of Cass City is located.

Leonard was happy to find the Buerk family living in Cass City, as they were well acquainted in Germany. He visited them often, and in 1885 married their only child, Catherine. The young family started out with one cow, a one room home, and a log stable. Leonard often left home at daybreak, working all day for 50 cents, and returning home after dark. Since they didn't even have a fence, he then had to light a lantern and go in search of their cow in order to milk her. Leonard was active in his church, on both the building committee and superintendent of the Sunday School. In 1900, the Buehrly family moved into the Buerk home and took care of Catherine's aging parents. They remained in the family home after her parents died."

Cass City Chronicle
Vol. 22, Number 46
Cass City, Mich., Friday, Feb. 10. 1939

L. Buehrly Was Elkland Pioneer
Came From New York and Continued Residence Here Since 1876

Leonard Buehrly, for 62 years a resident of Elkland Township, passed away at his farm home three miles northeast of Cass City, late Friday afternoon, after an illness of nearly a year's duration.

Funeral services were conducted at the Evangelical Church on Tuesday afternoon by Dr. R.N. Holsaple. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery. Leonard Buehrly was born in Borthinger, Wuertemberg, Germany, on February 21, 1859, and at the age of 14, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean all alone as far as his friends and relatives were concerned. He landed in Buffalo, N.Y. with exactly 25 cents in his pocket. An uncle lived at Buffalo and after a short stay in his home, Mr. Buehrly found employment on a farm. At Christmas time in 1876, he came to Cass City where he entered the employ of Adam Benkelman on a farm two miles northeast of the village. On March 24, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Buerk. The early married years of Mr. and Mrs. Buehrly in Section 23, Elkland, presented the hardships of Pioneer days in this community which they met with a courageous spirit and with unfailing industry. The have resided on the same farm since their marriage nearly 54 years ago. In 1935, they celebrated their golden wedding at their farm home on the afternoon of March 24, surrounded by a large company of relatives, and the next evening, they were honored at a public reception at the Evangelical Church attended by a large group of relatives and friends. During his residence here, Mr. Buehrly had been a member of the Evangelical Church, serving that society as a member of the board of trustees for 25 years, as Sunday School superintendent for three years, and as calls leader and steward. Mr. Buehrly was a member of the building committee in charge of the erection of the first Evangelical Church edifice her in 1884.In this age of endevouring to shift burdens on other shoulders, it is rather unusual to find one anxious to assume more than his allotted shares of the day's burdens. However, there are such rare people, and such a man was Leonard Buehrly, who early in life, was taught that every industrious many, in every lawful calling, is a useful man. Coupled with an industrious spirit was honesty and frugalilty, all of which combined in making Mr. Buehrly a useful citizen. Mrs. Buehrly is survived by his widow and six children, Fred, Edward and Lawrence BUEHRLY, Mrs. Burt A. ELLIOT, Mrs. S.C. STRIFFLER, and Miss Elsie BUEHRLY. All are residents of Elkland Township. Friends and relatives from a distance in attendance at the funeral services were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred BERNICKER of Saginaw, Frank STRIFFLER, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. KAISER and son, Kenneth, of Detroit; Mrs. Margaret GOLL and son, Carl of Unionville; Mr. and Mrs. Fred MENZEL of Sebewaing; Mr. and Mrs. Henry BLASI and threee daughters of Kilmanagh; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar WEBBER of Owendale; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph BEST of Kingston; Mr. and Mrs. Dan SCHIELE of Caro; Mr. and Mrs. Harry YOUNG of Elkton.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan
Source:FHL Film 1254607 National Archives Film T9-060
7 Page 95B Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
John STRIFFLER Self M M W 47 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: FRANCE Mo: FRANCE

Mary STRIFFLER Wife F M W 41 WERTENBURG Occ: Keeping House Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Emmiline STRIFFLER Dau F S W 19 MI Occ: Without Occupation Fa: NY Mo: WERTENBURG
George A. STRIFFLER Son M S W 16 MI Occ: At School Fa: NY Mo: WERTENBURG
Salome STRIFFLER Dau F S W 13 MI Occ: At School Fa: NY Mo: WERTENBURG
Martha STRIFFLER Dau F S W 7 MI Occ: At School Fa: NY Mo: WERTENBURG
Esther STRIFFLER Dau F S W 2 MI Occ: At Home Fa: NY Mo: WERTENBURG
Leonard BUEHRLY Other M S W 21 WERTENBURG Occ:Farmer Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Philipp STRIFFLER Nephew M S W19 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: NY Mo: NY

Johann married Catherine Buerk on 24 Mar 1885 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Catherine (daughter of Johann Freidrich "Fredrick" Buerk and Anna Catharina Benkelman) was born on 16 Aug 1865 in W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 20 Mar 1954 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Bertha Catherine Buehrly was born on 7 Mar 1886 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 10 Mar 1953 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 13 Mar 1953 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
2. Mary Magdalene Buehrly was born on 19 Jun 1887 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 30 Dec 1963 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
3. Fred Leonard Buehrly was born on 7 May 1889 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 24 Aug 1971 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 27 Aug 1971 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
4. Elsie Christine Buehrly was born on 24 Apr 1891 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 24 Apr 1980 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 27 Apr 1980 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
5. Edward Buehrly was born on 6 Sep 1895 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 1 Feb 1989 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
6. Lawrence William Buehrly was born on 30 Jun 1902 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 12 Oct 1981 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.

Johannes married Anna Maria Schaufele on 12 Aug 1858 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Johannes Schaufele and Anna Maria Reick) was born on 3 Sep 1835 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 13 Jun 1904. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Matth?us married Christina Madgalena Stegmaier on 28 Oct 1829 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Christina (daughter of Johann Christoph Stegmaier and Ursula Lauth) was born on 5 Dec 1801 in Unterberken, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 1 May 1847. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The in the church registration records of his daughter, Anna Catharina, he was shown as a citizen and wagonmaker or wheelwright.

Johannes married Anna Maria Reick on 25 Jul 1821 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Johann Jakob Reick and Anna Maria Maier) was born on 4 Aug 1794 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 10 Oct 1857 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Leonhard married Christina Barbara Lauth on 15 May 1800 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Christina was born on 4 Nov 1770 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 28 Mar 1816 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Kathy Brandt Bonnell shows her as a daughter of Johann Leonhard Lauth and Margarethe Barbara B?hlmaier.

Johann married Ursula Lauth. Ursula was born on 27 Mar 1779 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gottlieb married Maria Agnes Straub on 18 May 1784 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Maria (daughter of Ursula Straub) was born on 29 Dec 1758 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 16 Dec 1837 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johann married Anna Maria Maier on 12 Oct 1798 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Leonhard Maier and Barbara Frey) was born on 12 Sep 1775 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]