Fred Leonard Buehrly

Notes:

His Registration card for the First World War listed his full name as Fred Leonard Buehrly, born May 7, 1889 in Elkland Township. At the time he completed this registration, he was a farmer in Elkland Towship, of medium heighth and build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Volume 23 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated September 7, 1963, noted that Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buehrly enjoyed a trip to the Upper Peninsula with their grandson, Rob Elliott, and his parents in celebration of his graduation. They spent a week at the Buehrly and Elliott trailers near Wolverine, Michigan.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, August 26, 1971
Page 14

Fred Buehrly dies at grass fire

A minor grass fire at 7183 Reed Road resulted in the unexpected death of Fred Buehrly, 82, when too much excitement apparently resulted in a heart attack Tuesday, August 24.

Firemen from Cass City arrived at the Buehrly home to find neighbors, a rural mail carrier, and Buehrly's wife, Mary, fighting the grass fire. It had started when some burning willow branches spread out of control.

Elwyn HELWIG, fireman, said he asked Mrs. Buehrly where her husband was. She found hime lying in the kitchen by the back door.

Helwig, a former Army Medic, felt for a pulse, but said he could find nothing. He then radioed for an ambulance. Buehrly was pronounced dead on arrival at Hills and Dales General Hospital.

A lifelong Cass City resident, he was born March 9, (sic) 1889 to Leonard and Catherine Burke Buehrly. He married the former Mary Mark September 22, 1915, and was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Leonard (Alice) ELLIOTT of Ubly; a son, Keith, of Livonia and four grandchildren. Also, two brothers, Edward and Lawrence and a sister, Mrs. Elsie ANTHES, all of Cass City. Two sisters preceded him in death.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, August 27, from the Salem United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ira Wood officiating. The body will lie in state at thet church beginning at noon. Burial will be at Elkland Cemetery. Little's Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Fred married Mary Elizabeth "Molly" Mark on 22 Dec 1915 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Mary (daughter of Archibald "Archie" Mark and Emeline Striffler) was born on 29 Jul 1890 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 5 Jul 1987 in Ubly, Huron County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Name Fred L. Buehrly
Birth Date 1889
Birthplace Cass City
Age 26
Spouse's Name Mary E. Mark
Spouse's Birth Date 1890
Spouse's Birthplace Cass City
Spouse's Age 25
Event Date 22 Dec 1915
Event Place Cass City, Tuscola, Michigan
Father's Name Leonard Buehrly
Mother's Name Catherine Burk
Spouse's Father's Name Archie Mark
Spouse's Mother's Name Emaline Striffler
Race White
Marital Status Single
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race White
Spouse's Marital Status Single
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number M01095-0
System Origin Michigan-EASy
GS Film number 983955
Reference ID p 430 rn 226

Citing this Record:
"Michigan, Marriages, 1822-1995," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FC4F-648 : accessed 29 Jul 2013), Fred L. Buehrly and Mary E. Mark, 22 Dec 1915.


The 1941 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast showed that Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buehrly of Cass City celebrated their 25th anniversary with a dinner at the home of Mrs. Leonard Buehrly on Dec. 22, 1940.

Cass City Chronicle
Volume 59, Number 32
Thursday, November 25, 1965

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buehrly

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buehrly will be honored at an open house Sunday, Dec. 5, at the EUB Church parlor from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in observance of their golden wedding anniversary.

Fred Buehrly and the former Mary Mark, both of Cass City, were married in the EUB parsonage on December 22, 1915, with Rev. D.J. Feather officiating.

Open house arrangements will be made by members of their family and the Golden Rule Class of the EUB Church. Relatives, friends and neighbors are invited to attend.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2008)

The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 26, September 5, 1966, reported that they were honored at an open house given by their children, Keith and Alice.

1. Alice Mae Buehrly was born on 24 Feb 1918 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 13 May 1993 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan.
2. Living

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]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, March 26, 1954

Pioneer Resident of Cass City Area Dies

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Evangelical United Brethren Church for Mrs. Catherine Buehrly, pioneer resident of this community, who died Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter ANTHES. She had been in ill health for the past two years. The Rev. S.R. Wurtz and Rev. Stanley Kirn officiated. Mrs. Buehrly was born in Waldhausen, Wurttemberg, Germany, August 16, 1865, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederick BUERK and came to this country with her parents when she was seven years old. The settled on a farm three and one-half miles northeast of Cass City. On March 24, 1885, she married Mr. Leonard BUEHRLY at her home in Elkland Township. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm near the homestead. Mr. Buehrly died February 4, 1939, and in 1945 Mrs. Buehrly came to live with her daughter, Mrs. ANTHES, where she had lived until her death. Mrs. Buehrly had been a faithful member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Cass City since early childhood and attended services when they were being held in the Walmsley School. She watched the church grow to the present time. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Walter (Elsie) ANTHES of Novesta Township and Mrs. S.C. (Mary) STRIFFLER of Elkland Township; three sons, Fred, Edward and Lawrence, all of Elkland Township; then grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. One daughter preceded her in death. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Little's Funeral Home and burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

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]

Notes:

Frederick Buerk was a carpenter and undertaker, making caskets of wood, in Waldhausen, Germany. He made the wooden trunks bound by iron straps to carry the families possesions during their journey to America. He bought land from John Striffler to establish a farm.

The Buerk's lost their possessions in the fire of 1881. Fred had just erected a new grainery and completed thrashing, leaving a large straw stack when the fire swept through in September. It ignited Fred's straw stack and burned the barns and house. The family survived by lying face down in a sugar cane patch, which kept them from suffocating from the smoke of the sorgum field, which was still green. They were forever grateful to Reverend Fred Klump, who carried a dish of water to wet his eyes as he walked through the woods until he found them still alive. Those families who were spared the tragedy of "burning out" formed a relief agency from which the Buerk's and others received hay, lumber, furniture and other supplies. Starting over again, the family picked blackberries in the woods which Catherine carried in a basket on her head to town and traded. The next summer the buildings were rebuilt and the family carried-on. The family rebuilt one half mile south of the original buildings on what is now the Lawrence Buehrly farm. (From Art Peck book, recounting the memories shared by Mrs. Elsie C. Anthes of Cass City, with additional information from an article about the Frederick Benkelman family from Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 4, 1967, as well as from BonnieMargaret Jacobs unpublished 1981 manuscript, p. 161).

Cass City Chronicle
September 6, 1912
Local Items, Page 5

While driving to Cass City Saturday afternoon the horse of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buerk became frightened and ran into the ditch. Mr. Buerk was thrown from the buggy and dragged some distance in the water. Fortunately neither Mr. or Mrs. Buerk sustained any serious injuries and aside from a few broken eggs no damage was done.

Cass City Chronicle
April 2, 1915

Elkland Twp. Pioneer
Fred Buerk Laid to Rest Tuesday, March 30

Elkland township loses another pioneer in the death of Fred Buerk who passed away Saturday night, March 27, following an illness of several years duration.

Fred Buerk was born in Walthausen, Wuertemberg, Germany, Sept. 16, 1840. In 1867 he was married to Catherine Benkelman. Two children were born to this union, one dying in infancy. In 1873 he and his family came to America, locating at Cass City where he endured the hardships of pioneer life, clearing the farm on which he lived and where he passed away. He was converted to God in 1874 under the labors of Rev. Berge. He continued a faithful member of the Evangelical Church and held many important offices of the society. Besides his wife, he leaves one daughter, Mrs. Leonard Buehrly, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon. Rev. J. A. Schweitzer of Bay City, a former pastor of the deceased, preached a short funeral service in German at the residence and Rev. D.J. Feather, pastor of the local Evangelical Church, officiated at the church service. Interment was made in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

(Research):
Census Listings:

1880 Federal Census

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Oc
cupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John F. BURK Self M Male W 39 WERTENBERG Carpenter WERTENBURG WERTENBURG
Cathrine BURK Wife M Female W 36 WERTENBERG Keeping House WERTENBURG WERTENBURG
Cathrine BURK Dau S Female W 14 WERTENBERG At School WERTENBURG WERTENBURG
Christina BURK Mother Female W 63 WERTENBERG WERTENBURG WERTENBURG
Source Information:
Census Place Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan
Family History Library Film 1254607 NA Film Number T9-0607
Page Number 96C

Johann married Anna Catharina Benkelman in 1867 in Schneiderhof, Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Johann Friedrich "Fredrick" Benkelman and Rosine M?ller) was born on 6 Aug 1843 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 12 Sep 1917 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BonnieMargaret Jacobs writes that Catharina was born when her father was only 20, and before he had met all the requirements to be able to marry. She was raised in her mothers hometown of Bartenbach, and the three of them were not able to live together as a family until she was seven years old. After her parents were finally allowed to marry, in 1850, they were able to move to the Schneiderhof to live at last with Friedrich.

Cass City Chronicle
July 17, 1908
Local Items, Page 4

While returning from a berry patch southeast of town Monday, the horse driven by Mrs. Fred Buerk and her granddaughter, Miss Mary Buehrley, became frightened at the big umbrella ont eh mail wagon and Mrs. Buerk was thrown from the buggy. Her head was caught between the wheel and the buggy box and she was extricated from her perilous posistion with difficulty. Mrs. Buerk's face was badly bruised but her injuries are not considered servious. Miss Buerhly escaped uninjured and showed great pluck during the excitement.

Cass City Chronicle
September 6, 1912
Local Items, Page 5

While driving to Cass City Saturday afternoon the horse of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buerk became frightened and ran into the ditch. Mr. Buerk was thrown from the buggy and dragged some distance in the water. Fortunately neither Mr. or Mrs. Buerk sustained any serious injuries and aside from a few broken eggs no damage was done.

Cass City Chronicle
September 14, 1917

Mrs. Catherine Buerk
Elkland Twp. Pioneer Passed Away Wednesday, Sept. 12

Mrs. Catherine Buerk, a resident of Elkland Township since 1873, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leonard Buehrly, Wednesday, Sept. 12, following an illness of Bright's disease of three months' duration.

Catherine BENKELMAN was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, August 6, 1843, and was united in marriage with Fred Buerk in 1867. They left Germany for America in 1873 and came directly to Cass City. They purchased a tract of land in Elkland township which they cleared while enduring the hardships of pioneer life and where they spent many happy, contented years. Mr. Buerk passed away on March 27, 1915.

Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church of which Mrs. Buerk was a faithful member, at ten o'clock Saturday morning. Mrs. Buerk leaves one daughter, Mrs. Leonard BUEHRLEY and three sisters, Mrs. Jacob JOOS, Mrs. Christina JAUS and Mrs. John CROCKER, all of Cass City, besides six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, 2007 and 2008)

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]

Johannes married Christina Reinert about 1835 in W?rttemberg, Germany. Christina was born on 4 Jan 1817 in W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 11 May 1907 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Christina Buerk "came from Waldhausen to America in 1873, with her granddaughter, Katherine Buerk," later the wife of Solomon Striffler, according to the obituary of Katherine Buerk published in the Friday, January 21, 1938 issue of the Cass City Chronicle.

Christina's own obituary is below:

Tri County Chronicle
Cass City Michigan
Friday, May 19, 1907

Mrs Christina Buerk nee Reinert died at the home of her son, Fred Buerk, on Thursday, May 11 after an illness of several months. She was born in Walthausen, Wurtenberg, Germany on January 4, 1817, where in 1835 she was united in marriage to John Buerk. To this union came five children, four sons and one daughter. Two sons, Charles of Caro and Fred of this place survive. Mr. Buerk died in Germany in 1866 and in 1873 Mrs. Buerk and her children came to America, settling on a farm in Elkland township, northeast of this village.

She was converted during a series of meetings conducted by Rev. W. Berge during his former ministry here and has since lived a christian life. At that time there was no Evangelical church organized in this village. For several years past she has made her home with her son, Fred. Besides her two remaining sons she leaves 5 granchildren and 15 great-granchildren. The funeral services were held in the Evangelical church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. Berge, and her remains laid to rest in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Notes:

Married:
They were the parents of four sons and one daughter

Notes:

The family register for the family of Friedrich's maternal grandparents, Georg Friedrich St?hle and wife, Anna Maria Leins, shows that Maria Dorothea St?hle was the fifth of their 15 children. She was married at the Schneiderhof on 20 Nov 1822 to Leonhard Benkelmann. Dot Williams, a Benkelman descendant, visited with a specialist in the old German script at the LDS library at Salt Lake City, where they helped her translate the information on the scans of the actual St?hle family register. They indicated that the writing to the right of Maria Dorothea's name, as well as two of her sisters, said they each had an illegitimate child. Maria Dorothea's child was Johann Friedrich, "who was raised as the eldest of the Leonhard Benkelmann family." It was not indicated one way or the other if he was also Leonhard's biological son. Johann Friedrich was born on 6 Feb 1822, approximately 10 months prior to the marriage of Leonard Benkelmann and Dorothea St?hle.

Freidrich apprenticed with Leonhard as a bricklayer and stonemason. (Jacobs, p. 73)

The oldest of the Benkelman children, he was the last to emigrate to America. He was already established as a stone mason in W?rttemberg when his younger siblings began to emigrate. Over the years, he received many letters from members of the family in America, telling him of the opportunities in the new land. Thus he eventually decided to join them. When he left Germany early in 1873, he was travelling with his wife Christine Stadelmaier, daughter Catherine and son-in-law Friedrich Buerk, granddaughter Catherine Buerk, daughter Christine and her husband George Jaus, and daughters Rosine and Mary, along with Fred's mother, Christina Buerk. German Parish records show "Marz 1873 mit Familie nach Nordamerika."

They sailed from Bremen, Germany on the steam ship "Ohio," and arrived in Baltimore on 5 April 1873, as the vessel was powered by steam, their entire journey took only 15 days. The earlier emigrants had traveled in sailing ships, and thus their journeys had been much longer. Friedrich and his family then traveled by train to Saginaw, Michigan where they were met by Adam, who took them by horse and wagon to Cass City. Adam, helped by his brothers, had constructed a building for them on his land where they stayed. Through hard work and frugal living, Friedrich was later able to purchase land a few miles northeast of Cass City, upon which he built his own home and farm.

At a Benkelman/Striffler reunion, Mary Striffler Benkelman recalled that "Uncle Fred was the oldest and Jolliest of the bunch, I can see him yet a large man of straight build, starting to town a distance of three and a half miles, with a basket of eggs perched on his head and a pail in one arm, marching straight as when he served in the German army but in after years when he became old and feeble he would say "When I think I am going to fall I am already lying on the ground." Later in life, Frederick became lame from rheumatism and used crutches to get about.

(Jacobs, pp. 82, 83, 161, as well various correspondence from BonnieMargaretJacobs, and issues of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcasts)

These are the tombstone inscriptions of he and his wife:

Benkelman, Christina,d. 18 Aug 1897, 74y 3m 25d
Benkelman, Frederick,d. 28 Aug 1897, 75y 7m 22d

http://www.interment.net/data/us/mi/tuscola/casscity/index.htm

A brief mention of his funeral was on the front page of the September 2, 1897 Cass City Enterprise, in the "Home Happenings" column:

"The funeral services of Frederick Benkelman were held at the Evangelical Church on Sunday afternoon, Rev. C.Y. Schneider officiating. As previously mentioned, Mr. Benkelman has been in poor health for some time. He was nearly seventy six years old and has resided in this vicinity for many years."

A copy of his actual Michigan Death Certificate can be viewed here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Fredrick Benkelman

It was noted under this cause of death that a contributory factor was the death of his wife one week previously. He was shown as 75 years, 7 months, and 22 days of age at the time of his death.

(Research):Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan
Source:FHL Film 1254607 National Archives Film T9-0607
Page 96C
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Fredrick BENKELMAN Self M M W 58 WERTENBERG Occ: Stone Mason Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Christina BENKELMAN Wife F M W 57 WERTENBERG Occ:Keeping House Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG

Johann married Rosine M?ller on 26 Nov 1850 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Rosine was born on 18 Aug 1821 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 16 Oct 1858 in Schneiderhof, Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Parish records copied by BonnieMargaret Jacobs show her as a daughter of Joh. Georg M?ller, a tailor from Bartenbach and his wife, Christein Esenwein. Rosine died in childbirth after delivering her seventh child and only son, who died about two weeks after his mother.