Alton Andrew McDermott

Notes:

The 1928 Los Angeles City Directory showed Alton as a salesman at Howard Motor Company. On the 1930 census, he was listed a a First Aid Man at a movie studio.

The June 4, 1948 issue of the Cass City Chronicle had an article about Pvt. Harold Creguer's trip to Hollywood. He mentioned in the article that he visited with former Cass City residents Mr. and Mrs. Grover Blades of Glendale and Mrs. Barbara McDermott of Alhambra. He also noted that one of the highlights of his trip was a meeting with Alton McDermott at the Warner Brothers studio.

(Research):
Also the father of Noralee Ellen McDermott, born on 30 July 1941, according the the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated 1 Sept 1941. The California Birth Index shows her Mother's Maiden Name as LICKILLS, so Noralee appears to have been born to a second wife.

Census Listings:

1930 Census
California, Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Twp, Alhambra City
Enumerated April 2, 1930
ED 19-14-3 SD 18 Sheet 1B
No Bushnell Av
417-27-27
McDermott, Alton A Head M W 25 M Mich Mich Mich First Aid Man Movie Studio
McDermott, Marion E Wf F W 21 M 18 Ill NY Mich

Alton married Marian Moore on 24 Sep 1927 in California. Marian was born about 1909 in Illinois; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 7, 1927

Alton McDermott Married at Santa Ana, California

The following paragraphs regarding the marriage of Alton McDermott, who spent his boyhood days in Cass City, are taken from a Santa Ana, California newspaper of Sept. 24:

A quiet home wedding was solemnized this afternoon with Miss Marian MOORE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Moore, 701 North Marguerita avenue, became the bride of Alton A. McDermott, son of Mrs. Andrew McDermott, 1700 South Stoneman avenue.

The ceremony was performed at two o'clock by Rev. T.E. Stevenson of Burbank as the bridal couple stood before an archway of roses, ferns and other greenery in the living room. There were no attendants.

Before the reading of the service, music was furnished by Bill Hatch and Ray Kellog, radio artists and close friends of the bridegroom.

The bride was lovely in her wedding gown of white silk lace with which she carried a shower bouquet of pink rosebuds and lillies of the valley.

A wedding reception for the immediate relatives and a few intimate friends followed after which Mr. and Mrs. McDermott left in their car for a brief honeymoon and will be at home to their friends after October 1 at 123 North Electric Avenue. The bride of today was graduated from Alhambra High School in June of this year, and has been a popular honoree at numerous prenuptial affairs arranged by her friends. Mr. McDermott is a graduate of the Santa Ana high school after which he attended the University of Southern Califonia.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Fall 2007)

1. Living

Notes:

Tri-County Chronicle
Published every Friday
February 8, 1901

Another Business Change


Jacob H. Striffler has sold his interest in the farming implement business of J. H. Striffler & Co., to
Hector McDermott of Grant township.

The deal was made Feb 1st but on account of the serious sickness of Mrs. McDermott, Mr. McDermott will not assume control until the 1st of March.

The new firm will be known as Striffler & McDermott. Albert Striffler who has been connected with the old firm will be the senior member of the new firm. Both Albert Striffler and Hector McDermott are met of good habits, perfectly reliable and in very way qualified to command the respect and confidence of the community. The CHRONICLE congratulates them upon entering such a prosperous field of work.


Cass City Chronicle
July 17, 1908
Local Items, Page 4
Mr. and Mrs. A.J. McDermott, of Douglas, Arizona, A.M. McDermott, of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Sedwick (sic) and little daughter, of Calumet, are the guests of H.L. McDermott, of this city, and Hugh McDermott, of Grant township.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, October 2008)


Cass City Chronicle
Vol. 17, No. 43
Friday, March 10, 1922

Hector L. McDermott

The following account of the death of Hector L. McDermott, whose passing was noted in the Chronicle last week, is taken from a Santa Anna, California, newspaper:

Arrangements for services for Hector L. McDermott, who died at his home at 1209 North Main street last Friday afternoon, today were being delayed pending word of the return of his brother, H. (sic) M. McDermott, who is at Fuerte, Mexico, where he is general manager of the El Fuerte Smelting and Mining company.

Two telegrams have been send advising him of his brother's death. As he has not answered, it is assumed by relatives that he is either at the mine, which is sixty or more miles from a telegraph office, or traveling in the district in the interest of his company.

Decedent was vice-president of McDermott, Mount and Company, implement dealers at 318 West 4th street.He came here eight years ago from Eagle Rock, Cal., and entered business at the address given. Prior to locating at Eagle Rock in February 1912 the family resided at Cass City, Mich., where Mr. McDermott was president of the city council and where he was active in city and social activities.

He was a Mason and Odd Fellow, holding membership in these lodges at Cass City. He was a member of the Santa Ana Kiwanis club and a teacher of the Mateer Bible class of the First Presbyterian church.

During his business life here he won the confidence and esteem of associates and patrons as well as friends and acquaintances made in a social way.

He had been suffering with paralysis for six months. He was born near Teeswater, Ontario, Canada, October 18, 1866, and came to the United States in 1881.

Mr. McDermott is survived by his mother, Mrs. Margaret McDermott, 134 West Twentieth street; his widow, Mrs. Barbara McDermott; a daughter, Miss Belle McDermott, teacher in Greenville school; two sons, Alton, a pupil at the high school, and Justin, who is attending the Polytechnic school of Engineering at Oakland; three brothers, H.A. McDermott, Los Angeles; Hugh McDermott, Port Huron, Mich.; and Alan M. McDermott, Santa Ana.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, May 2008)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Michigan, Huron County, Grant Twp
Enumerated 11 Jun 1900
SD 7 ED 10 Sheet 5A Stamped 123
91-93
McDermott, Hugh Head W M May 1837 63 M 38 Canada/English Ireland Ireland 1882 18 Na Farmer
McDermott, Margret Wf W F Nov 1846 53 M 38 5/5 Scotland Scotland Scotland 1882 18
McDermott, Allen M Son W M Jun 1871 28 S Canada Canada Scotland Farmer 1882 18
92-94
McDermott, Hugh E. Head W M Mar 1869 31 M 8/12 Canada/Eng Canada Scotland 1882 18 Farmer
McDermott, Jesse A Wf W F July 1873 26 M Canada/Eng Scotland Canada/Eng 1885 14
93-95
Jacob and Eliza Hartsell and family
94-96
Dalmage, Herbert and Hattie
95-97
McDermott, Hector Head W M Oct 1866 33 M 6 Canada/Eng Canada/Eng Scotland 1882 18 Na Farmer
McDermott, Besse Wf W F Nov 1871 28 M 6 2/2 Canada/Eng Scotland Scotland 1881 18
McDermott, Margret E Dtr W F Nov 1894 5 S Mich Canada/Eng Canada/Eng
McDermott, Hugh K Son W M May 1900 0/12 S Mich Canada/Eng Canada/Eng

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated 15 April 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 1B
20-20
McDermott, H?? L Hd M W 43 m2 6 Canada Gaelic Canada English Scotland Gaelic Salesman Implement
McDermott, Barbary f F W 22 M1 6 3/3 Mich German German
McDermott, Alton Son M w 5 S Mich Canada Mich
McDermott, Bell E Dtr F W 15 S Mich Canada Canada
McDermott, Justin K Dtr F W 10 S Mich Canada Canada

1920 Census
California, Orange County, Santa Ana Twp
7 and 8 and 9 Day of January 1920
SD 9 ED 78 Sheet 6A Stamped 30
1209-122-146
McDermott, Hector L Hd M W 53 M 1881 Na 1888 Canada English Scotland English Canada English Retail Merchant Implements Co
McDermott, Barbara Wf F 2 44 M Mich France German Germany German
McDermott, M. Belle Dtr F W 25 S Mich Canada English Michigan Teacher Public School
McDermott, Justin H. Son M W 19 S Mich Canada English Michigan
McDermott, Alton A Son M W 14 S Mich Canada English Michigan

Hector married Barbara O. Striffler on 28 Oct 1903 in Tuscola County, Michigan. Barbara (daughter of Christian Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel) was born on 29 Sep 1875 in Michigan; died on 1 Mar 1967 in Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bruce McDermott writes that after Hector died in 1922, Barbara married second his older brother, Andrew McDermott.

Volume 23 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 7, 1963, noted that Steven Griset, son-in-law of Barbara Striffler McDermott had died in 1962.

Notes:

Married:
Cass City Chronicle
October 30, 1903
Page One

A Popular Wedding

A very quiet home wedding was solemnized on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at high noon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Striffler, living east and north of town, when their daughter, Barbara, was united in marriage to Hector L. McDermott. At the appointed hour, the bride and groom entered into the room unattended and in the presence of the immediate relatives and a few friends, the ceremony was performed by Rev. L.V. Soldan of the Evangelical church. The bride was gowned in a beautiful creation of white organdie and carried white chrysanthemums. The bride and groom are both popular young people of this vicinity, Mr. McDermott being well known as a business partner of the firm of Striffler and McDermott. He is also president of our city. They were the recipients of many beautiful and useful presents. After the ceremony the guests retired to the dining room where a sumptous wedding dinner was served. Mr. and Mrs. McDermott left on the afternoon train for a short wedding trip to Detroit, Tecumseh and Hillsdale. The out of town guests present were Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Striffler and daughter, Lillian, of Argyle, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McDermott and little daughter of Grant, and Samuel LaFond of Bad Axe. The Chroncile extends hearty congratulations.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Name Hector L. Mcdermott
Race (Original):
Age (Expanded) 37 years
Birth Year 1866
Birthplace Canada
Spouse's Name Barbara Striffler
Spouse's Race (Original):
Spouse's Age (Expanded) 27 years
Spouse's Birth Year 1876
Spouse's Birthplace Michigan
Event Date 28 Oct 1903
Event Place Cass City, Tuscola, Michigan
Father's Name H.C. Mcdermott
Mother's Name Margaret Mclean
Spouse's Father's Name Christian Striffler
Spouse's Mother's Name Mary Rommel
Marital Status:
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Marital Status:
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
GS Film number 2342665
Frame Number:
Digital Folder Number 4033089
Image Number 512
Reference ID v 4 p 378 rn 281



Citing this Record:
"Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N3D1-2JV : accessed 23 Apr 2014), Hector L. Mcdermott and Barbara Striffler, 28 Oct 1903; citing Cass City, Tuscola, Michigan, v 4 p 378 rn 281, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2342665.

Notes:

Obituary
Copied from the FindAGrave memorial page created by Joann Geybels

FELL DEAD IN CORN FIELD

H.C. McDermott Is the Victim of Heart Disease.

Funeral Services Will Be Held in the Presbyterian Church Saturday Afternoon.

H.C. McDermott dropped dead about ten o'clock Wednesday forenoon, while assisting Morton Orr, who was at work in a corn field on his mother's farm in the eastern limits of the town. Mr. McDermott was subject to attacks of heart trouble and early Wednesday morning complained of a pain in his side. Home remedies were applied and then he went over to the Orr farm and tried to work in the field. Suddenly he fell to the ground and expired almost immediately. Help was summoned and his body was taken to the home of his son, H.L. McDermott, a short distance from where he had been working. Heart failure is given as the cause for his sudden demise.

Hugh Carson McDermott was born in Three Rivers, Quebec, May 20, 1837. Forty-six years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret McLean at Teeswater, Ont. She still survives him. They came to Michigan in 1882, settling on a farm in Grant Township, where they resided until four years ago when they moved to Cass City. Their five children, four sons, A.J., of Douglas, Arizona; A.M., of Los Angeles, Cal.; Hugh, who still resides on the old homestead in Grant Township; H.L. of this place; and one daughter, Mrs. E. Sedweek of Calumet, are all living. He also has a brother in Los Angeles and a sister in Seattle.

Through the death of Mr. McDermott the village has lost one of her best citizens, a Christian man of excellent habits, quiet, unobtrusive in his manner, yet winning the esteem of everyone he met along life's way. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and the funeral services will be held in that church on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock.

(Cass City Chronicle, Oct. 11, 1907, p. 1.)

In March, 2008, Bruce McDermott, a direct descendant, emailed that Hugh's father was Andrew McDermott who was "born in Straban, Tyrone County, Northern Ireland about 1800 I have nothing on him just words on paper my grandfather wrote. Andrews' grandfather came to Northern Ireland
from Lock Awe, Scotland about 1604."




(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Michigan, Huron County, Grant Twp
Enumerated 11 Jun 1900
SD 7 ED 10 Sheet 5A Stamped 123
91-93
McDermott, Hugh Head W M May 1837 63 M 38 Canada/English Ireland Ireland 1882 18 Na Farmer
McDermott, Margret Wf W F Nov 1846 53 M 38 5/5 Scotland Scotland Scotland 1882 18
McDermott, Allen M Son W M Jun 1871 28 S Canada Canada Scotland Farmer 1882 18
92-94
McDermott, Hugh E. Head W M Mar 1869 31 M 8/12 Canada/Eng Canada Scotland 1882 18 Farmer
McDermott, Jesse A Wf W F July 1873 26 M Canada/Eng Scotland Canada/Eng 1885 14
93-95
Jacob and Eliza Hartsell and family
94-96
Dalmage, Herbert and Hattie
95-97
McDermott, Hector Head W M Oct 1866 33 M 6 Canada/Eng Canada/Eng Scotland 1882 18 Na Farmer
McDermott, Besse Wf W F Nov 1871 28 M 6 2/2 Canada/Eng Scotland Scotland 1881 18
McDermott, Margret E Dtr W F Nov 1894 5 S Mich Canada/Eng Canada/Eng
McDermott, Hugh K Son W M May 1900 0/12 S Mich Canada/Eng Canada/Eng

Hugh married Margaret McLean about 1862 in Teeswater, Culross Township, South Bruce, Ontario, Canada. Margaret was born in Nov 1846 in Scotland; died on 16 Oct 1926 in Orange County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1910, the widowed Margaret was living with her younges son, Allan, and his family in Los Angeles. In 1920, she was still residing with Allan and family, but they had moved to Santa Ana.

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., Friday, February 10, 1911
Vol. 5, No. 42
Elkland Pioneer Answers Summons
Christian Striffler Passes Away Monday
Had Resided on the Homestead For More than Thirty Years

One by one the pioneers of this vicinity are answering the summons and are passing into the great beyond. We are called upon this week to announce the death of Christian Striffler, who passed away at this home, three miles east and one mile north of Cass City on Monday afternoon, February 6, 1911. Mr. Striffler had been in poor health for some time, but his condition was not alarming to his friends until a few days prior to his passing away. The end came peacefully and quietly, typical of the life the aged man had lived.

Christian Striffler was born December 8, 1827 in Germany, and while yet a young man came with his parents to America to seek a livelihood in a foreign land. The family located at Lancaster, New York, at that time the home of his future wife, also.

Mrs. Striffler, previous to her marriage, went to White Pigeon, Michigan. She was joined there by Mr. Striffler, where they were united in marriage July 3, 1856. Her maiden name was Mary ROMMEL. After their marriage they returned to Lancaster for seven years, when they again decided to make their home in Michigan, locating near Sturgis.

In the year 1877 they came to Cass City where several of Mr. Striffler's brothers resided and soon after purchased the farm which is now the old homestead, and where together they have toiled for more than thirty years. By hard work they gradually converted the wilderness into a nice farm.

Mr. Striffler ans his wife are loyal, consistent Christians, and members of the local Evangelical church. They were converted under the labors of Rev. Mueller and at that time united with the church of their choice.

The house was blessed with eight children, two of them, Christian and Mrs. S.G. BENKELMAN preceding the father to the homeland. The remaining children are: Samuel W. of Argyle, William D., Mrs. Charles PATTERSON, Mrs. H.L. McDERMOTT, Solomon, and Mrs. Edward HELWIG, all of whom resided in this vicinity. One brother, John Striffler, of this place and sixteen grandchildren, also survive him.

The funeral services were held at the Evangelical church Thursday afternoon at half past one o'clock, the pastor, Rev. J.A. Schweitzer officiating. The pall bearers were his three sons, Samuel, William, and Solomon; and three son-in-laws, H.L. McDERMOTT, Charles PATTERSON and Edward HELWIG. The interment was at Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

A copy of his actual Michigan Death Certificate is viewable online here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Christ 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


1880 Census, Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland, ED 400
Page No Eighteen SD--- ED---
Enumerated on the 15th of June, 1880
George Petertand
170-170
Striffler, Christian W M 52 Farmer France France France
Striffler, Mary A W F 42 Keeping House Wurtemberg Wurtemberg Wurtemberg
Striffler, Samuel W. W M 22 Son Farmer NY France Wurtemberg
Striffler, Lydia W F 21 Dtr Without Occupation NY France Wurtemberg
Striffler, William D. W M 14 Son At School Michigan Framce Wurtemberg
Striffler, Christina A W F 7 Dtr At Home Michigan France Wurtemberg
Striffler, Barbara O W F 5 Dtr At Home Michigan France Wurtemberg
Striffler, Mary P W F 1 Dtr At Home Michigan France Wurtemberg

The household immediately preceding his was that of John and Elizabeth Zinnecker.

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County,Elkland Twp
Enumerated 8 and 9 June 1900 by John Marshall
SD 8 ED 110 Sheet 5A Stamped 108
93-93
Striffler, Christ Hd W M Dec 1827 72 M Germany Germany Germany Farmer
Striffler, Mary Wife W F Dec 1837 62 M 6/5 Germany Germany Germany
Striffler, Barbara Dtr W F Sep 1875 24 S Mich Germany Germany
Striffler, Mary Dtr W F Nov 1878 21 S Mich Germany Germany
Striffler, Solomon Son W M ??? 188? 18 S Mich Germany Germany Farm Laborer

Christian married Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel on 3 Jul 1856 in White Pigeon, St. Joseph County, Michigan. Anna (daughter of Michael Rommel and Maria Barbara Frey) was born on 8 Dec 1837 in B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 31 Oct 1911 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, Mich., Friday, November 3, 1911
Vol. 6, No. 29

Pioneer Lady Answers Summons
Mrs. Christian Striffler Died Tuesday, Oct. 31
Came to Elkland Township in 1877 and Settled on Farm Four Miles for Cass City

Another pioneer was called to rest when Mrs. Christian Striffler answered the final summons at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward HELWIG, three miles east of Cass City, at five o'clock Tuesay afternoon. Mrs. Striffler had been in poor health for several months, and as her illness developed into a serious nature several weeks ago, the end was not unexpected.

Mary ROMMEL was born in Germany on Dec. 9, 1837. She came to the United States with her parents while she was yet young and they located at Lancaster, N.Y.
Later she went to White Pigeon, Mich. and at that place she was united in marriage with Christian Striffler on July 3, 1856. Shortly after they returned to Lancaster and resided there about seven years when they came to Michigan, locating near Sturgis. In 1877 they came to Cass City where Mr. Stiffler's brother resided and soon after purchased the farm four miles northeast of town on which they lived until Mr. Striffler's death Feb. 6, 1911.

Mrs. Striffler was a loyal and consistant Christian lady and a member of the Evangelical church. She was ever of a kind indulgent disposition and none ever entered her home without a warm welcome nor left without feeling the warmth of genuine hospitality.

Her home was blessed by eight children, two of whom, Christian and Mrs. S.G. Benkelman, preceding the mother in death. The remaining children are: Samuel W. of Argyle; William D., Mrs. Clara (sic) PATTERSON, Mrs. H.L. McDERMOTT, Mrs. Edward HELWIG and Solomon C., all of whom reside in this vicinity. She is also survived by her two brothers, Andrew and George RUMMEL, of Sturgis, one sister, Mrs. Geo. BENKELMAN of St. Francis, Kansas, 18 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. The funeral services will be held at the residence of Edward HELWIG at 12 o'clock today (Friday) and later int he afternoon at the Evangelical Church.

Her tombstone inscription reads:

Striffler, Mary,b. 9 Dec 1937, d. 31 Oct 1911, mother

Her actual Michigan Death Certificate can be viewed online here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Mary Anna Striffler

(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

According to the Rev. Roy J. Striffler, the Striffler's emigrated from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France to New York State in 1830. They were part of the German-speaking population of Alsace. Some of the older Striffler family members recalled a family joke---there were 11 boys in the family, and all of them had a sister Susanna. She married Christian Oscar Lenzner. Family genealogists have only been able to account for eight of the 12 children however. Two of the boys married Benkelman sisters. One son married Mary Rommel, and as there were several Benkelman/Rommel marriages as well, the two families became further intertwined.

Although the family originally settled in New York only Jacob's son David remained in New York. Peter pushed further west, to Kansas. Around 1880, most of the others settled in Cass City, Michigan, where they lived until their deaths. They cut off the stumps remaining on the land they built and turned the wilderness into fruitful farm land.

(Excerpted from Art Peck's THE TEN BENKELMANS WHO EMIGRATED TO AMERICA. He in turn references a September 4, 1950 article from the "Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast", Volume 13, Cass City, Michigan)

Both the flyleaf of the Striffler family Bible, and the tombstone of Jacob Striffler in Lancaster, showed him to be be born in Kirrberg, "departmente de Rhein." (Jacobs, p. 164). In the chapter on the Striffler family in her unpublished 1981 manuscript, BonnieMargaret Jacobs noted that widely spread family stories stated that the Striffler family originated in Switzerland (p. 164). It would appear these were either errorneous, or that the family moved from Switzerland to Alsace.


BonnieMargaret Benkelman Jacobs, in an undated family report she prepared for some of the descendants of the Striffler brothers who married Benkelmann sisters, wrote that birth records had been of the children born to Jacob and Otillia "Have been extracted from the French civil records and translated, and show 8 children born in France, two of whom died while still just children (one was only 15 months old, the other just a few months past their sixth birthday). She stated that "these official civil records support the oft repeated family joke, "There are seven brothers and each one has a sister." On page 165 of her unpublished 1981 manuscript documenting the Benkelman family, she repeated this saying, adding however that "one Striffler heard the riddle with 11 brothers and it should be noted that there is still much to be learned about this family."

With the records in France showing 8 children were born there, and census records show two known children born in the United States, it appears we can account for 10 of the 11. It is possible that records may be uncovered one day to find the final child, or that this final son may have been stillborn or died at a young age, and his memory passed down only through the family joke or riddle.

Jacob married Ottila "Odila" "Otil" Zimmerman on 4 Nov 1809 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany. Ottila was born on 10 Nov 1790 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany; died on 17 Sep 1863 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her father was a school master.

(Research):

Census Listings;

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
Not located

Notes:

BonnieMargeret Jacobs, on page 21 of her unpublished 1981 manuscript about the Benkelman Family, said that the name "Rommel" was a pet form of names beginning with RUHM ("fame"), or alternatively blustering or noisy, or messy or untidy.

The Wuerrtemberg, Germany Emigration Index shows that a Johann Michael Rommel, from the district of Ludwigsburg, was born 1 Oct 1804 in Beihingen, applied to emigrate to New York in Oct 1853 (#837989). Unless the date of birh and location of birth are slightly off, this is not our Michael Rommel.

The Michigan Death index shows he was born ca 1804 in Germany, and died on 9 Feb 1888 in St. Joseph, Michigan. He was widowed at the time of his death. The Sattler Family Tree on Ancestry.com shows Michael as a son of Johannes Rommel and Anna Maria Vester.

Michael married Maria Barbara Frey on 30 Jan 1827 in B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Maria was born on 4 Dec 1804 in Faurndau, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 27 Feb 1873. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]