Ferris A. Kercher

Notes:

Volume 5 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated September 1, 1941, noted that Lt. Ferris Kercher of the 10th infantry spent six weeks this summer on manuevers in Tennessee. At that time he was as an instructor in classes at Fort Custer, Michigan.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 4, 1945
Local Happenings, Page Four

Captain Ferris Kercher, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Kercher arrived home Saturday and on Monday evening a group of relatives helped him celebrate his birthday at a dinner given in his honor. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Roy Graham and son, Ferris, of Caro, Mr. and Mrs. William Joos, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jezewski and two children, and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Joos and son, all of Cass City.

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 Capt. Ferris A. Kercher has been commissioned in the regular army and is located at Fort Sam Houston Camp, San Antonio, Texas. Volume 10 of the same periodical reports that Capt. and Mrs. Kercher had moved to Fort Benning where the Captain will attend Officers' Training School for ten months. Volume 11 reported he was an instructor in the Army School at Fort Benning.

In Volume 14 of the same periodical, dated September 1951, it was noted that he had been transferred from Fort Benning to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he would be attending school for a year. Volume 15, published in September 1952, noted he had graduated from Fort Leavenworth in June, and that he and his family spent a week in July with his parents in Cass City. They were on their way to their new home in Presidio, Monterey, California, where they would reside for a year while Major Kercher would attend school to learn the Japanese language. In Volume 16 of the Broadcast, it was reported that he had left of Toyko in August, with his family living in Grand Rapids, planning to join him at a later date. As of the 1959 publication date of Volume 22, he was stationed in Turkey.


Volume 26 of the STIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published on September 5, 1966, reported that he was working for the State Employment office in Sacramento, California.

Ferris married Violet Eleanor McCallum before 1947. Violet was born on 8 Nov 1914 in Greenleaf Township, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 21 Mar 2013 in Orange Park, Clay County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle, 30 Aug 1907

Local Items

Ervin W. Kaercher, who has been employed in the Chronicle office for nearly a year, left Monday morning for Detroit, where he has secured employment. Ervln has made a large number of friends during his stay in Cass City and all join in wishing him success in his new venture. Wm. Schwain of Pigeon is now employed in the Chronicle office.

Robert Carlson writes that "In the 1910 census, Erwin was recorded as Ervin Karecher, and I suspect his birth name was probably Ervin Kaercher or Karecher. The spelling Karecher was used in a lot of documents of the family in Canada, but on the gravestones the spelling is Kaercher. "

According to his obituary, he worked at the Cass City Chronicle for 43 years, starting in 1909, leaving the paper in 1952 when his wife became ill. After her death, he worked part time in various Thumb newspaper plants, helping out during peak periods, in addition to maintaining his own printing establishment in the village of Cass City. He was survived by son Charles of Linwood, Lt. Col. Ferris Kercher in Japan and Capt. Gerald Kercher in Germany; a brother Clarence Kercher of Owosso; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Erwin married Amanda Lillian Muck on 1 Sep 1909 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Amanda (daughter of Adam H. Muck and Susan Striffler) was born on 17 May 1888 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 3 Jun 1953 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

June 6, 1888

I am staying at the Muck's for three weeks now. Anna Peterson is dead. She had a tumor and died under an operation. I heard that Adam Benkelman was expected home any day, but will not be sure until I hear that Minnie Burg did not make it up. The population of Cass City has increased since you left. Adam Muck has a girl [Amanda L. Muck], Del Landon a girl, Duncan Graham and Alex McKenzie both boys.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, June 5, 1953
Page One

Final Rites Held for Cass City Resident

Mrs. Amanda L. Kercher, 65, wife of Erwin W. Kercher, died Wednesday afternoon in the home of Mrs. Walter Schell where she was staying for the day while Mr. Kercher was out of town. Although Mrs. Kercher has been in failing health for a long time, her death was unexpected.

Mrs. Kercher's death was caused by a cerebral hemmorhage, according to the doctor's report. She was a lifelong resident of Cass City.

Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Susan Muck, she was born here May 17, 1888. On September 1, 1909, she was married to Erwin Kercher in Cass City.

Besides her parents, a brother, Philip Muck, and a sister, Mrs. Lena Corkins, preceded her in death.

Surviving are: her husband, three sons, Charles Kercher, Sr. of Bay City, Major Ferris Kercher of Monterey, Calif., and Capt. Gerald Kercher of San Angelo, Texas; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Roy (Emma) Graham of Caro and Mrs. Wm. (Hattie) Joos of Cass City.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Salem Evangelical Church where she was a lifelong member. Rev. S.R. Wurtz officiated and burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

Relatives and friends attended the funeral from many communities. Included were: Armada, Bay City, Brown City, Owosso, Shabbona, Elkton, Unionville, Bad Axe, Detroit, Saginaw, Caro, Sebewaing, Marlette, Flint, Pontiac and Gagetown.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Village of Cass City
10 January 1920
ED 179, Sheet 4A
84-87
Kercher, Edwin W Hd M W 31 Mich Canada German Canada German Printer Local Paper
Kercher, Amanda L. Wf F w 31 M Mich NY NY
Kercher, Charles R Son M W 9 S Mich Mich Mich
Kercher, Ferris A Son M W 3 8/12 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated April 11, 1930
ED 79-4 SD 11 Sheet 4B
Ervin W. Kercher Hd M W 41 M21 Mich Canada/French Canada Printer Newspaper
Amanda L. Kercher Wf F W 41 M21 Mich NY NY
Kercher, Ferris A. Son M W 13 Mich Mich Mich
Kercher, Gerald F Son M W 5 Mich Mich Mich

Notes:

Married:
Cass City Chronicle
Friday, September 3, 1909

Page One

September Weddings

A pretty home wedding was solemnized at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Muck, at eight o'clock Wednesday evening, when their youngest daughter, Amanda L., became the bride of Ervin W. Kaercher. Rev. J. A. Schweitzer was the officiating clergyman who tied the nuptial knot pronouncing the ceremony which united the lives of these estimable young people of our village. The wedding was a quiet one, witnessed only by a few of the immediate relatives of the bride and groom. The bride was becomingly attired in white and never appeared to better advantage while the groom wore the conventional black. Immediately after the ceremony the guests passed to the dining room where a bounteous and delicious lunch was partaken of. The bride is one of our most popular young ladies. From a little girl she has grown up in our midst honored by old and young alike. She is fully capable of filling the home she will adorn with happiness and will prove to be truly a helpmate and companion to the husband she has chosen to honor with her hand. The groom is one of our best young men and at present very ably fills a position at the Chronicle Printery. Mr. and Mrs. Kaercher will be at home to their friends in the Wooley residence on south Ale street.

Page Four

LOCAL ITEMS

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Kaercher and son, Clarence, of Elkton attended the Muck-Kaercher wedding here Wednesday evening .

(Both courtesy of Robert Carlson)

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 2, 1948
Volume 42, Number 49.
Page One.

John H. Kercher Died Sunday at Age of 88 Years

John H. Kercher, 88, passed away in an Owosso hospital on Sunday night where he had been a patient for four days. he had been in failing health for several weeks.

Funeral services were held int he Douglas Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon. Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, pastor of the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Cass City, of which Mr. Kercher was a member, was the officiating clergyman. Interment was made in the Colfax cemetery at Bad Axe.

John Henry Kercher was born November 2, 1859, at Sebringville, Ontario, and married Miss Louisa MERKLINGRE at Milverton, Ontario, March 9, 1886. In 1887, they came to Elkton, Michigan, which at that time only had two houses, both roughly hewn. He built a residence there in the fall of '87, and engaged in carpenter work, erecting many houses and large barns in and around Elkton and Pigeon.

After nine years, he returned to make Canada his home where he lived for five years and worked in a large furniture factory. In 1901, he again decided to make Michigan his home and came back to Elkton. He built seven different residences in and near Elkton which he sold.

He constructed the first Evangelical Church in Elkton in 1888, and rebuilt it it 1898. In 1918, it was destroyed by fire and he again helped to rebuild it as it now stands. He served as usher in the church for many years.

On August 25, 1929, Mrs. Kercher died after 4 1/2 years of illness from a stroke. Mr. Kercher came to Cass City that fall and has since made his home with his son Erwin W., here and with another son, C.G. Kercher, at Owosso.

Mr. Kercher carried on this trade as carpenter and cabinet maker well past his 80th birthday and spent many hours each day in a shop at the rear of his son's residence in Cass City.

Mr. Kercher is survived by two sons, Erwin W. Kercher of Cass City and Clarence G. Kercher of Owosso; six grandsons, Charles Kercher of Bay City, Capt. Ferris Kercher of Columbus, Ga., Lt. Gerald Kercher stationed at Munich, Germany, Harold and Richard Kercher of Owosso, and Robert Kercher of Flint; six great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Andrew Eckmeyer, and three, nephews, Wesley, George and Gordon Strasser, and a niece, Hilda Strasser, of Stratford, Ont.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 15)

(Research):Census Information:

Name: John Karercher
[John Karescher]
Age in 1910: 48 [49]
Estimated birth year: abt 1862 [abt 1861]
Birthplace: Canada
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Canada
Mother's Birth Place: Canada
Spouse's name: Louise {birthplace Canada}
Home in 1910: Oliver, Huron, Michigan {Village of Elkton}
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Year of Immigration: 1885
{Occupation: Carpenter}
Household Members: Name Age
John Karercher 48
Louise Karercher 43
Clarence Karercher 15

(Courtesy of Robert Carlson)

John married Louisa Merklinger on 9 Mar 1886 in Milverton, Ontario, Canada. Louisa was born about 1867 in Canada; died on 25 Aug 1929. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
December 18, 1908

Philip Muck of Lancaser, N.Y. is visiting his brother, Adam Muck, and other relatives here.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 8, 1914
Page One

Adam H. Muck
Funeral Service held Tuesday Afternoon at Cass City

Adam H. Muck, who was stricken ill suddenly at Colling last week Wednesday, passed away at his home in Colwood late Saturday afternoon, May 2. The remains were brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Kaercher at Cass City Sunday. On Tuesday afternoon, the funeral servicew were held at the Evangelical church where Mr. Muck was an regular attendant and worshipper while a resident here. Rev. D. J. Feather, the pastor, conducted the service.

Adam H. Muck was born in Erie county, N.Y. , Aug 21, 1852. He came to Cass City in October in 1878.

The same year he was united in marriage with Miss Lena Striffler and to the union two children were born. Mrs. Muck died July 11, 1883. On May 21, 1885, he married Miss Susan Striffler and this union was blessed with three children. Mrs. Muck passed away a few years ago at Cass City.

Mr. Muck, through his activities as farmer, thresherman and blacksmith at Cass City, had many acquaintances in this community and was well and favorably known. He served Cass City as trustee, was prominently identified with the fire department for many years and held several other positions of trust in various societies.

He leaves four daughters, Mrs. Wm. Joos, Mrs. J.C. Corkins, and Mrs. E.W. Kaercher, all of Cass City, and Miss Emma Muck of Colwood, one son, Philip Muck of Colwood, three grandchildren, two brothers and five sisters.

Friends from a distance in attendance at the funeral were J.L. Muck and Mrs. Geo. Klein of Lockport, N.Y., Miss Louise Gassner of Buffaol, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Kaercher and son, Clarence, and Norman Prast, all of Elkton.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Fall 2007)

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumeratd 4 and 5 June 1880
Page Fifty, SD Third, ED 400 Stamped 91 A
46-46
Muck, Adam H W M 27 Blacksmith NY France France
Muck, Lena W F 25 Wf Keeping House NY France Franc
Muck, Harry W M 10/12 July Son (sic) At home Mich NY NY

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City Village, Dist 111
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900 by A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 5B
109-112
Muck, Adam Hd W M Aug 1861 (sic) 49 M15 NY Germany Germany Blacksmith
Muck, Susan Wf W F June 1862 (sic) 47 M 15 4/3 NY Germany Germany
Muck, Hattie Dtr W F July 1870 (sic) 20 S Mich NY NY Dressmaker
Muck, Lena Dtr W F July 1883 16 S Mich NY NY
Muck, Emma Dtr W F Apr 1886 14 S Mich NY NY
Muck, Amanda Dtr W F May 1889 12 S Mich NY NY
Muck, Philip Son W M Jun 1889 10 S Mich NY NY

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
13 April 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 5B
135-135
Muck, Adam He M W 55 M2 25 NY Germany Germany Blacksmith
Muck, Susan Wf F W 53 M1 25 5/5 NY Germany Germany
Muck, Lena Dtr F W 26 S Mich NY NY
Muck, Emma Dtr F W 24 S Mich NY NY Operator Telephone
Muck, Philip H Son M W 20 S Mich NY NY Salesclerk Dry Goods

Adam married Susan Striffler on 21 May 1885 in Tuscola County, Michigan. Susan (daughter of Henry Striffler and Elizabeth Wagner) was born on 15 Jun 1849 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York; died on 11 Sep 1910 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, September 16, 1910
Page One

Had Love and Respect of All

Mrs. A.H. Muck Passed To Her Reward

Death Occurred Sunday Evening and Funeral Service was Held Wednesday Morning

Mrs. A.H. Muck died at her home at the corner of Grant and Pine Streets Sunday evening after an illness of several months.

Susan Striffler was born in Lancaster township, Erie county, New York, on June 15, 1849. She came to Michigan April 15, 1878, and was united in holy wedlock to Adam H. Muck on May 21, 1885. To this union three children were born.

Mrs. Muck was converted in her youth and while in New York became a member of the M.E. church. After coming to Cass City she transferred her church membership to the Evangelical church here. She was an every day Christian-one who seemed born to inspire the love and respect of all who were fortunate in being acquanted with her. No one was more willing to aid the suffering, cheer the desponding and sustain the weak and her life was a blessing and benefaction to all within the sphere of her influence.

The funeral service was held in the Evangelical church Wednesday morning and a large number of relatives and friends attended. She leaves to mourn her demise her husband, three children, Mrs. E. W. Kaercher, Miss Emma and Philip Muck; two step-daughters, Mrs. Wm. Joos and Miss Lena Muck; two brothers, J.H. and C.D. Striffler; one sister, Mrs. Peter Burg.

Relatives from out of town who attended the funeral were: Jacob Muck of Lockport, New York; Mrs. Wm. Bockstedt and Miss Gassner of Buffalo; Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Ricker of West Grant; Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Nique of Shabbona; Mrs. Geo. Zinnerker of Owendale; S.W. Striffler of Argyle.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Fall 2007)

Notes:

(Research):
Census Information:

1860 Census
New York, Erie County, Lancaster, P.O. Bowmansville
Enumerated 18 June 1860
Pages 21 and 22, Stamped 750
159-159
Henry Streepler 47 M Faremer $500 France
Elizabeth 42 F Germany
Elixabeth 12 F NY
Susan 10 NY
Jacob 9 M NY
Leana 6 F NY

1870 Census
New York, Erie County, Lancaster
Enumerated 30 Jun 1870
Page 69 Stamped 401
496-489
Strinler, Henry 50 M W Farming $1600 $200 France
Strinler, Susan 20 F W Housekeeping NY
Strinler, Jacob 19 M W Work on Farm NY
Strinler, Lana 16 F W Attends School NY
Strinler, Charley 9 M W At home NY

1880 Federal Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland, ED 400
Enumerated on the 14th and 15th day of June, 1880
George C. Peterhaus
Page No. Seventeen, S.D. 3d ED 400
A. 97
164-164
Striffler, Henry W M 67 Farmer France France France
Striffler, Jacob W M 30 Son Farmer NY France Bavaria
Striffler, Sophia W F 20 Drt in Law Housekeeper NY Bavaria Bavaria
Striffler, Charles W M 19 Son Farmer NY France Bavaria
Striffler, Susan W F 29 Dtr Housekeeper NY France Bavaria
Striffler, John W M 17 Son at school NY France Bavaria
(Household #165 was that of George and Catherine Kolb)

Henry married Elizabeth Wagner. Elizabeth was born after 1811 in Bayern, Germany; died after 1863 in New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Judith Muck refers to her as Elizabeth Gardner.