Robert Ray Pocklington

Notes:

In the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 9, September 2, 1946, in a column titled "Still in the Service of the U.S.A.", it was noted that Robert Pocklington, recently discharged from military services, is now employed by the U.S. Government at Bremen, Germany.

In the 1965 obituary of his father, it was written that "One of Mr. Pocklington's sons, Robert R. Pocklington of Algonac is missing and presumed drowned in a fishing accident Aug. 9." The same inforrmation was published in the 1965 issue of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST. However, Heidi Pocklington emailed in September 2010 that her father Robert Pocklington was still living. The articles above apparently were written prematurely.

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, August 19, 1965
Page Three

Algonac Civic Leader Dies in Hospital

H. Lee Pocklington, 75, longtime civic leader of Algonac and village president 13 years, died Monday in Mercy Hospital, Port Huron, after a long illness.

Mr. Pocklington was born Sept. 5, 1889, in Ridgeway, Mich.

He and the former Clara V. Lenzner were married in 1908. Mrs. Pocklington died Jan. 3, 1944.

One of Mr. Pocklington's sons, Robert R. Pocklington of Algonac is missing and presumed drowned in a fishing accident Aug. 9.

Another son, Harold L. Pocklington of Algonac, is executive director of the Leader Dog School for the Blind at Rochester and is a Lions International Counselor.

Two other sons are Herbert Pocklington of Deerfield, Fla., and James Pocklington of Salisbury, Md.

Mr. Pocklington is survived also by a daughter Mrs. William Eugenis of Algonac.

Funeral services were to be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Gilbert Funeral Home.

Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2008)

The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 25, published on September 6, 1965, reported his death as well. It also noted that he had received Algonac's Outstanding Citizen Award in 1963.

Harold married Clara Viola Lenzner on 5 Sep 1908. Clara (daughter of Christian Oscar "C.O." Lenzner, Jr. and Sophia Ahr) was born on 15 Mar 1888 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 3 Jan 1944 in Algonac, St. Clair County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According the the 1941 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast (Vol. 5, September 1, 1941), Mrs. C.O. Lenzner was living with her daughter, Mrs. H.L. Pocklington of Algonac. H. Lee Pocklington was president of the village of Algonac, his wife president of the Clay Township Library board, Harold president of the Algonac Lion's Club and manager of the Algonac Band, and James Pocklington drum major of the band.

Cass City Chronicle
Vol. 38, Number 39.
Friday, January 14, 1944

Mrs. Pocklington Died in Algonac

Mrs. H. Lee Pocklington Died in Algonac

Mrs. H. Lee Pocklington, 55, daughter of the late C. Oscar and Sophia Lenzner, died at her home in Algonac on Sunday morning after a 10-day illness. She had been in ill health for some time suffering with a heart ailment.

Born in Cass City, Mar. 15, 1888, Clara V. Lenzner was graduated from the high school here in 1905, after which she pursued a course in nursing in an Ann Arbor hospital. On Sept. 5, 1908, she was united in marriage with H. Lee Pocklington of Ann Arbor.

In Algonac, Mrs. Pocklington had served on the library board for many years, had previously served as a member of the board of education, and was an active member of the Music Study Club. She resigned from the Athena Club two years ago on account of her health.

Besides her husband, H. Lee Pocklington, president of Algonac village, she is survived by four sons, Harold, James and Herbert Pocklington, all of Algonac, and Robert Pocklington in Army service at Camp Cooke in California; a daughter, Mrs.Wesley Moody, of Algonac; nine grandchildren; and a brother, H.F. Lenzner, of Cass City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon in the Gilbert Funeral Home in Algonac and burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Relatives from Cass City who attended the funeral were Mrs. Angus McPhail, Mrs. John A. Sandham and Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Lenzner.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2008)

(Research):
Census Information:

1930 Census
Michigan, St. Clair County, Clay Township, Algonac Village
Enumerated May 6, 1930
ED 74-6, SD 5, Sheet 15B
429-438
Pocklington, H. Lee Hd Own $6,000 M W 40 Mich US US Landscape Gardner Private Estate
Pocklington, Clara Wife F W 42 Mich NY Pa
Pocklington, Harold L. Son M W 19 Mich Mich Mich Landscape Gardener Private Estate
Pocklington, Dorotha M Dtr F W 17 Mich Mich Mich
Pocklington, James R Son M W 14 Mich Mich Mich
Pocklington, Robert R Son M W 5 Mich Mich Mich
Pocklington, Herbert L Son M W 3 3/12 Mich Mich Mich

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, June 10, 1927
Vol. 23, No. 5

C.O. Lenzner Passed Away on June 2
Had Been in Furniture Business at Cass City for Forty Years.

C.O. Lenzner passed away at the home of his son, H.F. Lenzner, at Cass City on Thursday afternoon, June 2, at the age of 72 years. His death was due to carcinoma of the stomach. Mr. Lenzner was taken to his son's home about a month previous because of his severe illenss.

Christian Oscar Lenzner was born in Lancaster, New York, on October 30, 1854. He came to Cass City with her parents, C.O. Lenzner, Sr., and Susan Lenzner, in the spring of 1873, and was united in marriage with Sophia Ahr on March 1, 1879.

For several years he was employed by his father as a cabinent maker and he later worked as a carpenter in this community. He entered into partnership with his brother in the furniture business at Cass City, and for 40 years he has been in that business here as a partner of Lenzner Brothers or as an individual.

Mr. Lenzner was a member of the trustee board of the Evangelical church at the time the church building was erected at Cass City in 1882 and held that position for 25 years. He was also church organist for a like period of time, besides holding other offices in the society.

Besides his widow, he leaves two children, Mrs. H.L. Pocklington of Algonac and H.F. Lenzner of Cass City, one sister, Miss Emma Lenzner of Cass City, two brothers, Franklin Lenzner of Cass City and John Lenzner of Gagetown and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the H.F. Lenzner home on Saturday afternoon and interment was made in Elkland cemetery by Rev. F.L. Pohly of Sebewaing, a former Evangelical minister at Cass City. Local business houses were closed during the funeral hour.

Relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral were Mrs. H.L. Pocklington and son, Herbert Linn, of Algonac; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lenzner of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mast, Mrs. and Mrs. A. Muellerweiss, Rev. and Mrs. F.L. Pohly and Mr. and Mrs. John Schwalm, all of Sebewaing; Henry Schust, George and Miss Esther Hausner, Mrs. F. Klump, Mrs. Clyde Fox and Mrs. Faist, all of Saginaw; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Striffler of Caro.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Oc
cupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Oscar C. LENFRIER Self M Male W 20 NY Carpenter SAXONY FRANCE
Sophia LENFRIER Wife M Female W 23 PA Keeping House WERTENBURG WERTENBURG
Frank H. LENFRIER Son S Male W 6/12 MI At Home NY PA
Source Information:
Census Place Cass City, Tuscola, MichiganFamily History Library Film 1254607 NA Film Number T9-0607Page Number 100C

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City Village
Enumerated 11 June 1900 by A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 7B
155-158
Lenzer, Christian O Hd W M Oct 1854 45 m 21 Ny Germany Germany Cofin Maker
Lenzer, Sophia Wife W F April 1859 43 M 21 2.2 Pa Germany Germany
Lenzer, Hubert F Son W M Dec 1879 20 S Mich NY Pa Printer
Lenzer, Clara V Dtr W F Mar 1888 12 S Mich Ny Pa At School

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
13 April 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 5B
133 133
Lenzner, Christian O Hd M W 55 m1 31 NY Germany Germany Cabinent Maker
Lenzer, Sopha Wf F W 53 M1 31 2/2 Pennsylvania Germany Germany
Ahr, Gotley R Father-in-law M W 85 Wd Germany Germany Germany 1847

Christian married Sophia Ahr on 1 Mar 1879 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Sophia (daughter of Gottlieb Ahr and Johanna Friedericke Stoll) was born on 12 Apr 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; died on 15 May 1942 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
Friday, May 22, 1942
Page one and four

Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, Pioneer Resident, Died Here May 15

Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, a resident of Cass City for over 70 years, passed away Friday morning, May 15, at the home of her son, H.F. Lenzner, here after a two weeks' illness. Funeral services were conducted at the McPhail and Keehn Funeral home on Sunday afternoon by Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, pastor of Salem Evangelical Church. Burial was made in Elkland Cemetery.

Sophia Ahr was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,on April 12, 1857, and came to Michigan in the early sixties. Her parents, the late Gottlieb and Fredericka Ahr, were members of a cooperative colony by the name of Ora Labora, near Bay Port, where Mr. Ahr was the colony's shoemaker. Following six years residence at Ora Labora the family left there in 1868 to become residents of the pioneer settlement with later developed into the village of Cass City. Sophia Ahr attended school here with other children of the early settlers of this community.

On March 1, 1879, she was united in marriage with Christian Oscar Lenzner, Jr, and she has resided here continuously with the exception of two winters spent with her sister, Mrs. George MAST, in Sebewaing, and the past 17 months when she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. H. Lee POCKLINGTON, of Algonac.

On April 26, Mrs. Lenzner came to Cass City to spend several weeks at her son's home. After a delightful week spent visiting old friends here, she became suddenly ill and passed away Friday, Mar 15, after two weeks's sickness. Her husband died on June 2, 1927.

Mrs. Lenzner was a member of the Evangelical Church in Cass City for more than 60 years.

Besides her two children, she leaves seven grandchildren and seven great granchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. George MAST of Sebewaing and Mrs. Lydia ROYER of Waynesville, Missouri.

Relatives and friends who came from a distance to attend the funeral include Mrs. Wesley Moody and Mr. and Mrs. Harold L. Pocklington, Algonac; Miss Shirley Anne Lenzner, Wayne; Mrs. William Moreton, Mrs. Tyler Wood and Mrs. George Bortz, Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. A. Muellerweiss, Sebewaing; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Striffler, Mr. and Mrs. Burnell Holden and Mr. and Mrs. O.K. Janes, Caro; Dr. and Mrs. G.F. Lenzner, Bad Axe; Mrs. F. Klump, Mrs. K.M. Morris, Mrs. Clyde Fox and Mrs. A.B. Haist, Saginaw.

Because she was ill, Mr. H. Lee Pocklington was unable to attend the funeral of her mother.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Notes:

Letter from Walter Gramble (1938), reprinted in The Way It Was, publication of The Cass City Historical Society:

"Then came Oscar Lenzner and his furniture store and factory, his wonderful family of boys, his ingenuity and his music, his glowing tales of far away Austria and its glittering capital Vienna, which he very properly insisted was 'Wa-en-a'. he made furniture, he made musical instruments and could play them. His banjo-guitararina, invented, made and played by himself was worth a chapter in the history of Cass City."

Cass City Enterprises
Vol. XVI. No. 17
April 1, 1897.
Page One

Just before noon to-day, Franklin Lenzner went into his father's shop at his residence on Oak Street and was startled to find the old gentleman fallen upon his face. He was at once cared for and medical aid summoned but all efforts failed to resuscitate him. Oscar Lenzner, Sen., was a native of Germany, but has resided here for many years and has a wide circle of friends, his reputation as a manufacturer of stringed musical instruments being widespread. He was about seventy-three years of age and has been quite active up to the time of his death, being still able to make the very finest inlaid work. Further particulars will be given next week. The cause of his death was paralysis.

Cass City Enterprises
Vol. XVI. No. 18
April 8, 1897.
Page Eight

A Sudden Call

As stated in our last issue, Oscar Lenzner, Sr., suddenly expired on Thursday, the 1?sup?st?/sup? inst., from a stroke of paralysis. Between the hours of ten and eleven that morning, his son, Franklin, was at work at the turning lathe at their workshop on Main Street, and had nearly completed the job he was at when he felt a sudden impulse to go to his father's. Making an excuse to his brother, he went to the house and meeting his mother at the kitchen door, asked if his father was in the shop. His mother replied that he was and they went towards the door which stood open and before entering they saw him lying face downward on the floor. It seems that Mrs. Lenzner had stepped outside a few moments previously for a pail of water and it is thought he must have fallen while she was out. His forehead struck against some coarse chips which cut quite an ugly gash. The doctor was at once summoned but life was extinct. He had three strokes of paralysis previous to this time and it was feared he would go in this manner.

Deceased was born Feb. 14?sup?th?/sup?, 1825, in Leubetha, Saxony, Germany. There he learned the art of making violins and he had ever since taken a special pride in the manufacture of stringed instruments. In the year 1849 he came to America, taking up his residence at Lancaster, N.Y. On June 20, 1853, he was married to Susanna Striffler and came to Cass City in June, 1873. He conducted the furniture store on Main Street, until in more recent years his sons have managed it. Samuel and John are now in Detroit, while Oscar and Franklin are still in the business started by their father. Some years ago deceased secured a patent on a musical instrument called the banjo-guitarina and has since paid especial attention to its manufacture. He also invented what is known as "Kings David's harp" and made guitars, banjos, dulcimers, autoharps, etc. His mechanical ability was of a high order, his ideal of work being that of the true artist:--"Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." Into every bit of work he did he put his heart. He has spent twenty-five years in this community and we will not again see his equal. Besides the four sons, already mentioned, a widow and daughter survive.

The funeral services were held at the house Sunday morning and were conducted by Rev. B. J. Baxter, of the Presbyterian Church assisted by Rev. B. F. Wade, late of the Evangelical Church, Elkton. The services were attended by a large company of relatives and friends many of whom also followed the remains to the Elkland cemetery. He will be missed, not only by our citizens, but by many others, especially amongst the commercial travelers, who were in the habit of visiting his home when in town. He is gone, but the sweet strains of music he has produced still ring in the souls of hundreds.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Christian married Susanna Catharina Striffler on 20 Jun 1853 in Erie County, New York. Susanna (daughter of Jacob Anton Striffler and Ottila "Odila" "Otil" Zimmerman) was born on 6 Aug 1823 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany; died on 28 Apr 1905 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
Friday, October 29, 1915
Colwood

Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Lenzner and little daughter, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, Miss Emma Lenzner of Cass City and Mrs. Samuel Lenzner of Detroit were Colwood visitors Friday night.

Cass City Chronicle
May 5, 1905, page 1

Pioneer Passed Away

Another pioneer has passed away in the person of Mrs. Susan Lenzer, who died at her home at the corner of Oak and Pine streets, last Friday evening, April 28.

Mrs. Lenzer, nee Striffler, was born Aug. 6, 1823, in the province of Lorraine, then a part of France but now a part of Germany. When she was six years of age her parents sailed for America ans settled near Lancaster, New York. In 1853 she was married to C.O. Lenzer, Sr. To this union five children were born, all of whom survive. In 1873 the family moved to Cass City, where Mr. Lenzer entered into the furniture business and continued the same for many years. He died in 1897.

At an early age Mrs. Lenzer joined the Reformed church and has lived a consistent Christian life and followed the teaching of the Golden Rule. For some years she has been in feeble health and was very ill the two weeks preceding her death. Her departure is mourned by a host of relatives and friends in whose estimation she was held in high esteem. Five children--Miss Emma, C.O. and Franklin of this place, John of Gagetown and Samuel of Detroit, and two brothers, John and Christian Striffler of Cass City, survive.

The funeral services were held at the residence Sunday Afternoon, Rev. Berge officiating, and the remains interred in the Elkland cemetery. The out of town relatives present were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lenzer of Detroit, John Lenzer of Gagetown, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Striffler and W. D. Striffler of Argyle.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Census
Oscar Sr. LENSPAER Self M Male W 54 SAXONY Cabinet Maker SAXONY SAXONY
Susanna LENSPAER Wife M Female W 56 FRANCE Keeping House FRA. FRA.
John LENSPAER Son S Male W 23 NY Cabinet Maker SAXONY FRA.
Franklin LENSPAER Son S Male W 21 NY Carpenter SAXONY FRA.
Samuel LENSPAER Son S Male W 19 NY Carpenter SAXONY FRA.
Emma LENSPAER Dau S Female W 16 NY At School SAXONY FRA.
Source Information:
Census Place Cass City, Tuscola, Michigan
Family History Library Film 1254607
NA Film Number T9-0607
Page Number 100D

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City Village
Enumerated 8 June 1900 by A.D. Gallis
SD 8 ED 11 Sheet 5A Stamped 119
Pine Street
96-99
Lenzner, Susan Hd W F Jan 183 (sic) ?? W 47 5/5 Germany Germany Germany 1830 70
Lenzner, Emma Dtr W F Jun 1863 36 S NY Germany Germany Dress Maker
Linzner, John Border W M Oct 1847 52 S Ny Germany Germany Day Laborer

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, February 3, 1911

Resident of This Place 42 Years

Gottlieb Ahr Passed Away Tuesday Morning

In 1863 With Other Germans Founded a Colony Near Bay Port

Gottlieb Ahr, for 42 years a resident of Cass City, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, on Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, the day preceding the 87th anniversary of his birth. Mr. Ahr has been an invalid since May, 1903, but his illness did not reach the serious stage until last Friday when lagrippe combined with heart trouble caused his death in the last five days.

Gottlieb Ahr was born in Graefenhausen, Wuertenberg, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1824. He came to the United States Apr. 23, 1847, and ten years later on July 8 was married to Friedericke Stoll in Philadelphia. Leaving that city after a short residence there, they lived in Bridgeport, Conn., and Hazel Green, Wis., coming to Michigan in 1863 and seeking their fortune with other German acquantinces in a German colony near Bay Port.

Mr. Ahr and his family moved to Cass City in 1868 when the town was in its infancy. Here he erected a residence and fitted up one room for a shoe repair shope and followed his occupation as a cobbler until June 19, 1901, when his companion passed away. He had since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner.

Mr. Ahr embraced the Christian life with in Bridgeport and there joined the M.E. church, later uniting with the Evangelical society when he moved to Cass City. He was an industrious and hard working man, and as a citizen respected honesty as one of the best possessions of life.

He was the father of seven children, five of whom survive him: Mrs. H.S Gamble of Sebewaing, Mrs. S.W. Striffler of Argyle, T.H. Ahr of Ferrell, Idaho, Mrs. D.F. Royer of Northview, Mo., and Mrs. C.O. Lenzner of this city.

The funeral service will be held in the Evangelical church this (Friday) afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Interment will be made in the family lot in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Fall 2007)

The July/August 2011 issue of the Cass City Area Historical and Genealogy Society, Volume 16, Number 4, featured an article about the Ahr family, and noted that the name of the Religious society where the Ahr's worked and lived prior to moving to Cass City was called Ora Labora, which means pray and work, and which was an offshot of Harmony, a religious commune located at Economy, PA. It was also reported that Ora Labora met with many problems, one of which was the constant sickness caused by malaria, which was common in the whole area for many years. They were other setbacks in the commune, and by 1871 the colony was completely abandoned.

Another interesting fact in the article was that Gottlieb at one time teamed up with P. T. Barnum, repairing and making shoes for the circus people, including a pair of shoes for the tiny "Tom Thumb."

(Research):Census Information:

1870 Census

Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, P.O. Elkland
Enumerated 26 July 1870
99-99
Ahr, Gottlieb 46 Shoemaker $650 $250 Germany Wurt.
Ahr, Fredericke 49 Keeping Hous Germany Wurt.
Ahr, Sophia 13 At School Pa
Ahr, Emma 10 At School Ct
Ahr, Pauline R 9 Ct
Ahr, Theopholus 7 Wisc
Ahr, Lydia 4 Mich

1880 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City
FHL Film 1254607 NA #T9-0607 Pg 98D
Gottlieb Ahr 56 Wertenburg Shoemaker Wertenburg Wertenburg
Joan F. Ahr 59 Wertenburg Keeping House Wertenburg Wertenburg
Paulina Ahr 19 Conn Without Occupation Wertenburg Wertenburg
Theopolus Ahr 17 Wisc At School Wertenburg Wertenburg
Lydia Ahr 13 Mich At School Wertenburg Wertenburg

Gottlieb married Johanna Friedericke Stoll on 8 Jul 1857 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Johanna was born on 8 Aug 1820 in Vaihingen, Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart, Neckarkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 19 Jun 1901 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Tri-County Chronicle
Friday, Jun. 21, 1901

Friedericke Ahr
Died at the Home of her Daughter, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner
Long and Favorably Known
Closely Identified Many Years with the Evangelical Church and Was Highly Respected by All

From the handle of the front door of Gottlieb Ahr's home on Seeger Street a streamer of crepe was seen on Wednesday morning which told the passerby that Grandma Ahr had passed into eternity. Mrs. Ahr was one of Cass City's oldest settlers. In 1868 she came here with her husband from the so-called German colony which was a German settlement near Bay Port. Cass City was then in its infancy, there being only a few holdings which formed the nucleus of the village.

From the first Mrs. Ahr asserted a beneficial influence in the community. She was always admired for her strong common sense and helpful disposition, which characterized her entire life. Especially was she a strong factor in church life. She was one of the charter members of the Evangelical Church of this place. For many years the services were held in the Walmsley schoolhouse one and one-half miles from the village. Mrs. Ahr took a leading part in all these services. Being musically inclined she led in song in every service. Through all kinds of weather, in summer or winter, the good woman journeyed to the little schoolhouse and became a source of inspiration to all. She was active in her sphere of work up to a few weeks ago, when she took to her bed never to rise again. Seven years ago the deceased wrote the following short sketch of her life, which we have translated from the German language:

"I, Johanna Friedericke Ahr, nee Stoll, saw the light of this world at Vaihingen, Kingdom of W?rttemberg, August 8, 1820. I came to this land in the year 1854 and entered into wedlock with Gottlieb Ahr in 1856. I was born into eternal life in 1859 and joined the German Methodist Church. After a period of nine years I came to Cass City where I became a member of the Evangelical Church in 1868. For a long time I had a hard battle with Satan who tried to rob me of my experiences as a child of God; but after much prayer and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit I gained the victory. I expect to leave one son, four daughters and -- grandchildren. I have nothing to glory in myself, but in the grace of God I do glory, for He has done great things for me. To Him be all honor and praise now and throughout all eternity. Amen."

At the close of this remarkable document she makes the request that the following words should be used as her funeral text: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Rom. 5:20. She also chose the hymns which were sung at the funeral service. The funeral was held to-day. The pastor, Rev. L. Brumm preached a powerful sermon to a large congregation.

Mrs. Ahr leaves an aged husband, and five children, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, Mrs. H.S. Gamble of Sebewaing; Mrs. S. Striffler of Argyle; Mrs. F.D. Royer of Northview, Mo.; and Theophilus Ahr, her only son.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Fall 2007)

The July/August 2011 issue of the Cass City Area Historical and Genealogy Society, Volume 16, Number 4, featured an article about the Ahr family, and noted that Frederica hauled her piano all the way from Pennsylvania to Ora Labora and then on to Cass City. She was the only person in the whole village at the time who had or could play the piano and she was in much demand for church services, weddings, and funerals, no matter the denomination.