George Henry Zinnecker

Notes:

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


November 29, 1888

Today is Sam and Mary's wedding day. Rev. N. Wienderlich performs the ceremony. I was not invited. Did you know Mr. Champion died last week. Archie has no hired man at present. Elmer Eastman was working for him but he is gone. Johnnie Zinnecker is going to work for his board this winter and go to school. George Zinnecker is a worker here now. Jake Striffler and family have gone to New York on a visit. Mrs. Waldon has a pair of artificial feet.


The son of John Zinnecker.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 19, 1911
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. George Zinnecker and family, who have been the guests of relatives here for the past week, left Tuesday for Saginaw where they will make their future home.

Art Peck writes that in 1913, the family moved from Michigan to Devil's Lake, North Dakota in an immigrant wagon. George and Lydia later moved to Garfield County, Montana in 1918, where George engaged in ranching. In 1929, they moved to Lewiston, where he was employed as a carpenter for U.S. Gypsum in Heath. He and Lydia moved to Moore in 1937, where they spent there remaining years.

According the the 1941 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast (Vol. 5, September 1, 1941), reported he and his wife were erecting a new home in Moore.

George married Lydia Striffler on 22 Nov 1893 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Lydia (daughter of Jacob Striffler and Luise "Louisa" Benkelman) was born on 20 Nov 1874 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 7 Mar 1957 in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana; was buried in Moore Cemetery, Moore, Fergus County, Montana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Mr. and Mrs. George Zinnecker of Moore, Montana celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in California at the home of his sister, Mrs. Grover Blades, on Nov. 22, 1944.


The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROACAST-1964 reported that Helene Striffler Lucas of Superior, Montana; Catherine Zinnecker Miller of Billings, Montana, Henry Zinnecker of Long Beach, Calif. and Kenneth Zinnecker of Columbus, Ohio were all planning on attending the 1964 Striffler-Benkelman Reunion in Cass City.

1. Louise M. Zinnecker was born on 2 Jun 1895 in Owendale, Huron County, Michigan; died on 24 Nov 1958 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana.
2. Leonard Fred Zinnecker was born on 1 May 1897 in Grant, Newaygo County, Montana; died on 12 Mar 1995 in East Helena, Lewis And Clark County, Montana.
3. Frank Zinnecker was born after 1897 in Michigan; died before 1910 in Michigan.
4. Helena Zinnecker was born on 6 May 1901 in Owendale, Huron County, Michigan.
5. Kathryn Zinnecker was born on 13 May 1905 in Brookfield Township, Eaton County, Michigan; died on 28 Mar 1999 in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
6. Henry George "Hiene" Zinnecker was born on 24 May 1908 in Owendale, Huron County, Michigan; died on 25 Sep 1989 in Oceanside, San Diego County, California.
7. Dr. Kenneth C. Zinnecker was born on 2 May 1916 in Starkweather, Ramsey County, North Dakota; died on 15 Mar 1997 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Vol. 20, No. 6
Friday, June 20, 1924
Page 1

Funeral of John Zinnecker Will Be Held Today

Well Known Citizen Noted for His Industry Passed Away Wednesday Morning

John Zinnecker, who had been very seriously ill for the past two months, passed away at his home on South Seeger St. on Wednesday morning, June 18, at the age of 75 years. Funeral services will be held at the family residence this (Friday) afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. C.F. Smith, pastor of the Evangelical church officiating.

Mr. Zinnecker was born at Pirmesens, Germany, on Nov. 25, 1848. At the age of 20, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wagoner. He came to the United States in 1868, his wife and baby daughter following him a year later. The family first settled at Ionia and later at Carson City. Mr. and Mrs. Zinnecker came to Cass City in 1880 and started farming operations on a farm three miles east of town, on the Tuscola-Sanilac county line. In the fire of 1881, they lost their barn and farm produce, but were fortunate in saving their home.

Mr. Zinnecker found it expedient to work at his trade of shoemaker in order to support his family about the second year of his residence in this community. He walked from his farm to Cass City, a distance of three miles, over poor roads, every morning to work his trade and his farming operations were conducted early in the morning and late at night. Not long after this, he moved to Cass City and for 21 years he was employed by J.D. Crosby to conduct a shoe repair shop. Later he entered the business for himself.

Honesty and thrift have been characteristics prominent in Mr. Zinnecker's life and his industry has been an outstanding feature. He believed it is better to wear out than rust out and her proved to be an indefatigable workman.

Besides his wife, he leaves seven children, Mrs. W.D. Striffler and Mrs. Lester Bailey of Cass City, Geo. Zinnecker of Brunelda, Mont., Wm. Zinnecker of Deford, Mrs. C.W. Clark of Caro, Mrs. Grover Blades of Big Creek, California, and Mrs. John Thiel of Hobart, Indiana. Two children preceded the father in death.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occ
upation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John ZINNECKER Self M Male W 31 BAVARIA Shoemaker BAVARIA BAVARIA
Elizebeth ZINNECKER Wife M Female W 30 BAVARIA Keeping House BAVARIA BAVARIA
Lizzie ZINNECKER Dau S Female W 11 BAVARIA At School BAVARIA BAVARIA
Georgh H. ZINNECKER Son S Male W 9 MI At School BAVARIA BAVARIA
John L. ZINNECKER Son S Male W 6 MI At Home BAVARIA BAVARIA
William ZINNECKER Son S Male W 4 MI At Home BAVARIA BAVARIA
Mary ZINNECKER Dau S Female W 2 MI At Home BAVARIA BAVARIA

Source Information:
Census Place Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan Family History Library Film 1254607 NA Film Number T9-0607 Page Number 97B

1900 Census Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City Village Enumerated 16 June 190000
SD 9 ED 111 Sheet 11B
253-259
Zinnecker, John Hd W M Nov 1848 52 M 31 Germany Germany Germany 1870 30 Na Shoemaker
Zinnecker, Elizabeth Wf W F March 1849 51 M 31 9/8 Germany Germany Germany 1870
Zinnecker, Mary Dtr W F Sept 1879 20 S Mich Germany Germany Dress Maker
Zinnecker, Cahlinn Dtr W F Sep 1881 18 S Mich Germany Germany Dry Goods Clerk
Zinnecker, Margaret G Dtr W F June 1883 S Mich Germany Germany At School
Zinnecker, Anna Dtr F W Dec 1885 Mich Germany Germany At School
Zinnecker, Birtha Dtr W F May 1887 13 S Mich Germany Germany At School

Johannes married Elizabeth Wagner about 1868 in Pirmasens, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Elizabeth was born on 19 Mar 1849 in Pirmasens, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died on 17 Feb 1926 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 24, 1911
Local Items, Page Four

Mrs. John Zinnecker went to Kingston Tuesday to visit at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. C. Ross.


Cass City Chronicle
Vol. 21, No. 41
Friday, February 18, 1926

Mrs. Zinnecker's Funeral Held Today

Mrs. John Zinnecker passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.D. Striffler, at Cass City, early Wednesday morning, Feb. 17, after a serious illness of two weeks' duration. Her health has been poor all winter. Funeral services will be conducted at the Striffler residence this (Friday) afternoon by Rev. C.F. Smith.

Elizabeth Wagner was born at Pirmesens, Germany on March 19, 1849. At the age of 19, she was united in marriage with John Zinnecker. Mr. Zinnecker came to the United States in 1868, his wife and baby daughter following him a year later. The family first settled at Ionia and later at Carson City. Mr. and Mrs. Zinnecker came to Cass City in 1880 and started farming operations on a farm three miles east of town. They lost their barn and farm produce in the fire of 1881, but were fortunate in saving their home. After a few years, they moved to Cass City where they resided until Mr. Zinnecker's death on June 18, 1924. Mrs. Zinnecker has made her home with her children since that time. She was a member of the Evangelical church at Cass City.

She leaves seven children, Mrs. W.D. Stiffler, and Mrs. Lester Bailey of Cass City, Geo. Zinnecker of Montana, Wm. Zinnecker of Deford, Mrs. C.W. Clark of Caro, Mrs. Grover Blades of Big Creek, California, and Mrs. John Thiel of Hobart, Indiana. Two children preceded the mother in death.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)