Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse

Notes:

An undated clipping (circa 1955) from the BAY CITY TIMES about Minnie reads:

WOMAN, 90, PAINTS AS HOBBY

Cass City--Although she will celebrate her 90th birthday anniversary next month, Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, of Cass City (above) is deeply engrossed in a new hobby. She has taken up painting as a pastime and finds it a happy way to keep busy. Like the famed Grandma Moses, Mrs. Benkelman waited a long time to begin painting. She started when she was 87 years old. A busy woman all of her life, Mrs. Benkelman says she finds it hard to just sit still. She balked a little over attempting her first painting but her interest quickened with her first picture and now she is at her easel each morning. She rests in the afternoon. Her hobby resulted because of a present from her daughter, Mrs. J.E. Pease of LaGrange, Ill. Mrs. Pease presented her mother with a painting set which included a canvas blocked off in numbered areas and paints numbered for each section. She delayed getting started but once the project was underway she found it enjoyable. That was two years ago. And it was also her last numbered painting. Since then she has been composing her own pictures and has turned out some 25 canvases. She won't sell a painting but she will give them away. Most have been claimed by her family and friends. She has a few hanging at home. Her painting she says is entirely for her own enjoyment. Her easel is set up on a card table in her living room and she paints while sitting down. She says she gets her ideas from photographs and magazine pictures. Using the basic idea, she then develops her own picture. She recalls that as a youngster she tried painting but did not pursue it since her folks thought it a waste of time. She also recalls that she liked to draw pictures when she was a school girl. For her paintings she likes outdoor scenes best. Mrs. Benkelman will celebrate her 90th birthday anniversary on Sept. 27. She was born on a farm near Sturgis and lived in Kansas for 10 years before coming to Cass City in 1902. Her husband's parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman were among the pioneer settlers of Cass City. Her husband, a retired general store operator, died three years ago. Her two sons and three daughters are all planning to be with her for her approaching birthday celebration. They are Mrs. E.T. Ball of Pottersville, N.J.; Mrs. May Carpenter of Farwell; Mrs. Pease; and H.L. Benkelman and B.F. Benkelman, both of Cass City.

Great granddaughter Melinda McLemore Strong has an 8 by 10 oil painting of a lakeside pasture in her home in San Antonio, Texas. (2003).

A similar article appeared in the Cass City Chronicle, as follows:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 7, 1954
Volume 49, Number 2
Page One

Judging by the amount of beautiful paintings, afghans and other works she turns out, Mrs. Ben Benkelman, Sr., 88, accomplished more than many persons half her age.

For example, in the last year, Mrs. Benkelman has knitted an intricately designed tablecloth, several small items, painted the picture shown above and another larger picture that is framed and hanges on the wall in her home.

In addition, she writes regularly each week to her three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Ball, New Jersey, Mrs. Lois Pease, Illinois and Mrs. Mae Carpenter, Michigan.

She writes and signs all her own checks and keeps continually busy on her varied projects.

Minnie's obituary, also in the Cass City Chronicle, dated Thursday, June 22, 1961:

Minnie Benkelman Dies at 95

Cass City lost one of its eldest citizens June 18 with the death of Mrs. Minnie Benkelman, 95, in Stevens Nursing Home. Mrs. Benkelman had been ill for some time. She was a patient in the nursing home for several weeks.

She was born Wilhelmina JESSE in Sturgis, Sept. 24, 1865 and married Benjamin F. BENKELMAN in St. Francis, Kansas in 1892. They came to Cass City in 1901, lived at 1454 Maple Street and remained here until their deaths.

Mr. Benkelman ran a general store until his retirement in 1924. He died in 1952.

Surviving are three daughters and two sons: Mrs. E.T. BALL (Ruth) of Pottersville, N.J.; Mrs. Wilmot CARPENTER (Mae) of Farwell; Mrs. J.E. PEASE (Lois) of LaGrange, Ill,; Harold and Ben of Cass City. Other survivors are four grandchildren and nine-great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Augusta BUCHOLTZ of Sturgis.

Funeral services were held Wed. at 2 p.m. in the Douglas Funeral Home. Rev. S.R. Wurtz of Salem E.U.B. church, of which Mrs. Benkelman was a long time member, officiated and burial was in Elkland cemetery.

Wilhelmina married Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Sr. on 26 Dec 1892 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Benjamin (son of Johann Adam Benkelman and Anna Catharina Schaufele) was born on 24 Sep 1863 in Bowmansville, Town of Lancaster, Erie County, New York; died on 7 Sep 1952 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Ruth Benkelman was born on 26 Jul 1894 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 31 May 1972 in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida.
2. Florence Mae Benkelman was born on 8 May 1896 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 19 Dec 1989 in Stuart, Martin County, Florida; was buried in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.
3. Harold "Sime" Leroy Benkelman was born on 27 Nov 1897 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 8 Apr 1981 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
4. Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr. was born on 17 Nov 1899 in Jaqua, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 8 Mar 1998 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.
5. Lois Jane Benkelman was born on 18 Jan 1905 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 9 Mar 1989 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan.

Notes:

Also GESSE, GESS

George and his sister Anna Jesse came to America on the ship "Johannes" from Hamburg arriving in New York on November 27, 1857. He was 25 and she 17. Records show their destination to be Wisconsin, although they stayed in upstate New York for at least two years. Anna did move to Wisconsin, with George instead settling in Michigan. "Germans to America" shows they were coming from W?rttemberg. A copy of the actual handwritten manifest shows Mecklenburg. Both appear to be in error. The Hamburg Passenger List, FHL #470839, shows that the "Johannes" left Hamburg on 15 October 1857. On board were George Jesse, age 25, and Anna, age 17. They were shown as coming from Strelitz, Preussen. It appears this village was in the Kreis Kolmar, Posen. In 2003, this village is known as Strzelce, Powiet Chodziez, Poland.

Two years after their arrival in New York, Anna and George were both married, in an apparent double ceremony, by the Reverend Clute, pastor of a church in Byron, New York.

At the time of the 1860 New York Federal Census, it appears that George Gesse was living in the home of John and Phebe Taylor of Elba, Genesee County, New York. The Taylors real estate was valued at $26,000 and there were numerous servants and laborers living in their home. The date of this census was June 20, 1860. He was listed as George Gefse, age 26, Laborer, Germany. The Klesert family, their eldest daughter Marie already married to George, lived two households away.

On George's citizenship certificate, it is stated that he arrived in Michigan in January 1860. He must have arrived somewhat later than this as he was still in New York at the time of the census in June.

George became a citizen of the United States at age 36. On his citzenship certificate, he was listed as George Gesse, and he solemnly swore to his intention to become a Citizen of the United States, and to renounce for ever all allegience and fidelity to each and every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly the King William of Prussia of whom he had been a subject. This was subscribed and sworn on the 16th day of March, 1868 in the Circuit Court of St. Joseph County, Michigan.

At the time of the 1870 Michigan federal census, he was living nearby his in-laws, the Kleserts. He was enumerated on 8 July 1870 in Sherman Township, Post Office Sturgis.

On the birth certificates of his two youngest children, he is listed as George Gess, and his wife as Mary Gess. The death certificate for his son lists the last name as Gessee.

In a plat of Sherman Township ca 1880 supplied by Dorothy Williams, land belonging to G. Jess adjoins a larger parcel belonging to J. Klevsert.

The above biography was compiled by combining the notes of Dot Williams, Jo Peck, Fern Bengelsdorf, and Melinda Strong.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1870 Census
Michigan, St. Joseph County, Sherman Township, P.O. Sturgis
Enumerated 8 July 1870
#185-185
Gesse, George 38 Farmer $1,600 340 Prussia
Gesse, Mary 32 Keeping House Macklenburg
Gesse, Andrew 8 Michigan
Gesse, Anna 6 Michigan
Gesse, Minnie 4 Michigan
Gesse, Julia 2 Michigan
Gesse, Sophia 6/12 Michigan

On the birth certificates of his two youngest children, he is listed as George Gess, and his wife as Mary Gess. The death certificate for his son lists the last name as Gessee.

1880 Census
Census Place:Sherman, St. Joseph, Michigan
Source:FHL Film 1254603 National Archives Film T9-0603 Page 45 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
George JESSE Self M M W 48 PRUS Occ:Farmer Fa: PRUS Mo: PRUS
Mary JESSE Wife F M W 42 MECK Occ:Keeping House Fa: MECK Mo: MECK
Andrew JESSE Son M S W 18 MI Occ:At Home Fa: PRUS Mo: MECK
Anna JESSE Dau F S W 17 MI Fa: PRUS Mo: MECK
Minnie JESSE Dau F S W 14 MI Fa: PRUS Mo: MECK
Julia JESSE Dau F S W 12 MI Fa: PRUS Mo: MECK
Augusty JESSE Dau F S W 10 MI Fa: PRUS Mo: MECK

1900 Census
Michigan, St. Joseph County, Sherman Township
#119-120
Jesse, George Head W M Feb 1832 68 Widowed Germany Immigrated 1858 In US 42 years Naturalized Farmer R&W, Speaks English owns farm, free of mortgage
Oman, Julia Dtr W F Dec 1863 32 Wd 1 child, still living born MI parents born Germany
Oman, George Gson W M Oct 1896 Mich

George married Maria Johanna Elisabeth Klevsaat on 24 Nov 1859 in Byron, Genesee County, New York. Maria (daughter of Friedrich Christoph Ernst Klevsaat and Sophia Christinia Luise Prasht) was born before 6 Jan 1838 in Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany; was christened on 6 Jan 1838 in Kastorf Parish, Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany; died on 18 Aug 1890 in Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

AKA Andrew GESSE.

Andrew married Mary Bajrovik in Prussia. Mary was born before 1815 in Prussia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Barbara LaChance [lachance@ccis.com] notes that "in a lot of the slavic names many of the letters are either not pronounced or are pronounced like an entirely different letter. I tried looking up your name "BAJROVIK" and the closest I could get in my books was: BAJOREK (Pol.) Dweller by the slough or muddy place. (Source: New Dictionary of American Family Names by E.C. Smith).

Notes:

Married:
The names of the children Mary and Andrew JESSE, are based on list prepared by their granddaughter, Augusta Jesse Buchholz. Augusta's granddaughter, Fern Falkenstein Bengelsdorf, has the original list, and gave a copy of it to Dorothy Ball Williams. It APPEARS that George and Anna were the oldest children, and Amelia the youngest. This seems logical since George and Anna appear to have been the first to emigrate. The birthdates of the other children are ESTIMATED based on this assumption. If they were not listed in birth order, this is likely incorrect.

Notes:

Email dated 7 Feb 2000 from Anne (Percival) Kruszka: "I have here in my hot little hands a patron submission form for the LDS on one Friedrich Christoph Ernst Klevesaat born 20 Feb 1809 in Rosenow Germany. He was the son of Johann Christian Klevesaat and Elisabeth Catharina Neuendorf. I think this Johan Christian Klevesaat was the brother of my G-g-g grandfather, Jurgen Gustav Klevesaat. I also have the microfilms at the local LDS where I volunteer. I'll see how many Ernst Klevesaat's I can find. In some of the records on my family I have seen the name spelled Klesaert."

German Passport (Courtesy of Dorothy Williams & Jo Peck)

KLEESAAT, Ernst Age: 48 Occupation: Arbeiter (Laborer) Place of Origin: Rosenow/Mecklbg. Family Members: Sophie 42 Ebefrau--Marie 19--Johann 17--Carl 7- Fritz 5

Text from GERMANS TO AMERICA (Courtesy of Dorothy Williams & Jo Peck) List of Passengers to U.S. Ports, Volume 10 pp 418-419 Edited by Ira Glazier, P. William Filby

KLEESAAT, Ernst 48 M Farmer Home: Germany Destination: USA Sophia 42, Marie 19, Johann 17, Carl 7, Ernst 5 Ship: Elbe From: Hamburg To: New York Arr'd: 14 Apr 1857


The family can be found in Elba, Genesee County, New York at the time of the 1860 Federal Census. In examining the microfilm, I did not locate son Johann, who would have been approximately 19. It is also interesting to note that Mary is still living at home even though she had married some seven months earlier. Her husband, George Gesse, was living two homes away, as a laborer in the Taylor household. Perhaps he was under contract, or working to save money for their move to Michigan.

At the time of the 1870 and 1880 Federal census enumerations, Ernst and Sophia were living in Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, in the home of their son, Johann. They lived two households away from daughter Marie and her husband George Jesse.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census
New York, Genessee County, Elba
100-102
Earnest Klesert 50 Laborer Mechlenburg (Germany)
Josephine 44 Housework ditto
Mary 21 Housework ditto
Charles 11 ditto
Louis 9 ditto

Friedrich married Sophia Christinia Luise Prasht on 21 Oct 1836 in Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Sophia (daughter of Johann Jochim Prahst and Christine Sophie Becker) was born on 26 Nov 1814 in Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany; was christened on 4 Dec 1814 in Kastorf Parish, Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany; died on 4 Nov 1891 in Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

AKA Brost/Brahst/Prahst

Notes:

Married:
Email from Anne Percival Kruszka on 11 Feb 2000: married Christina Sophia Louise Brahst (or Prahst) Oct 21, 1836 in Kastorf, Germany. Christina Sophia Louise was the daughter of Johann Jochim Prahst and Christine Sophie Becker. She was born Nov 26, 1814, in Rosenow and baptised Dec 4, 1814 in Kastorf, Germany.

Notes:

Anne Percival Kruszka thinks "this Johann Christian Klevesaat was the brother of my G-g-g grandfather, Jurgen Gustav Klevesaat."

Johann married Elisabeth Catharina Neuendorf. Elisabeth was born before 1790 in Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johann married Christine Sophie Becker. Christine was born before 1794 in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]