Johann Georg "George" Benkelman

Notes:

Johann Georg Benkelmann was referenced as applying to emigrate to North America in 1850 by Schenk, Trudy and Froelke, Ruth THE W?rttemberg EMIGRATION INDEX Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Vol. 5. 1988. 240 p. Source Code 8057.8, p 14. Also listed with him in this index were Johann Adam and Catharine Benkelman (1851) and Johannes Benkelman (1851).

German Parish records show "ist 1850 Ausgewander." his actual emigration occuring in the same year he applied.

Hilda Stickley Benkelman wrote that "George came from Germany in a sailboat about 1852. He first went to Lancaster, New York, and worked in a sawmill for 25 cents a day. Then he and three friends bought a span of oxen and a covered wagon and started for California around 1854. They worked in the fields or anywhere they could find work to pay their expenses. They arrived in California during the Gold Rush, and found work in the mines for $10 a day. George saved his earnings, and staked his own claim. He lost all his money, and returned to work for other miners.

BonnieMargaret Jacobs, in her 1981 manuscript said that George "had an exquisite little brooch made of all the gold he had ever found its natural state. It is not large! But he laughed as he displayed the net results of his mining attempts....as my father gave the broach to me, he would laugh as heartily at the story of George scratching the earth all that time for no more glad than that!" (Jacobs, p. 117). He was called "Big George," while his nephew and associate in the cattle business was "Little George." (Ibid, p. 119)

He married Christine Rommel, and they moved to Iowa where they bought a herd of cattle. Christine drove the Oxen in a wagon, and George walked beside the cattle. Later they returned west, to Leadville, Colorado. Here he opened a store to service the miners. He also worked as a butcher. Their customers paid them in gold dust, which George and Christine took to the mint in Denver. They later sold their store, and bought a ranch in St. Francis, Kansas. Eventually he owned a hotel in Denver, which was named for him. This was sold by his heirs in 1952. (Stickley)

BonnieMargaret Jacob's states that on 27 Aug 1868, "The Rocky Mounty News" published a deposition of J. G. Benkelman in regards to the inquest of the death of the pregnant Mrs. Henrietta Dietermann and son. She had been captured and killed in a ambush by Indians in Douglas county, Colorado Territory. John was a resident of Central City, Colorada at the time, working as a butcher. At the time of the ambush, however, he and a small group men were tending to cattle at the time, about 45 miles southeast of Denver. (Jacobs, p. 118).

In a separate history she prepared about the Colorado and Nebraska Benkelman's, BonnieMargaret wrote: "The gold and silver strikes in the Rocky Mountains made Denver City a most desirable place for a young man to seek his fortune. John George Benkelman with his wife Christine Rommel Benkelman set out for Denver in 1862. After arriving in Denver, the couple spent the next few days tramping around Denver surveying the possibilities for livelihood. It was apparent that the miners needed supplies brought to them. John George felt like he could handle that chore. Among his many interests were a butcher shop and a shoe shop.

By 1868, George had amassed sufficient funds to consider entering into the cattle business. His headquarters were located at Running Water just east of Denver. The sheep ranchers were taking more and more of the range, so Big George decided to move further east. His first order of business was to contact George Adam Benkelman, his 19 year old nephew in Cass City, Michigan, to see if he was interested in going into the cattle business with him.

In 1870, Big George had purchased two lots in Denver from William Barth at 18th and California Street, for $800. He bought two additional lots for less. He built the Benkelman family residence on his block of land in 1871. Christine and the four boys were at home here. At the time, it was on the outskirts of Denver.

After operating over 30 years, the Benkelman Ranch was sold in 1903. The east half went to Josiah Crosby. This was later sold to Quinn and Martin of Oberlin. Jake Holzwarth leased this land for many years.

The west half of the ranch was sold to Reinholt and Puderbough. They sold their portion to J.G. McCall in 1917. In 1941, Frank R. Douthit purchased the ranch and turned it over Thad Douthit, Sr. Thad was able to regain most of the Benkelman holdings, and used the land to raise Registered Herefords. Thad Sr. died September 23, 1978, and the ranch was once again split up, this time between his son and son-in-law (Thad Douthit Jr and Roger Faulkender). These ranches were still operating as of 1987.

The original headquarters of the old JC Ranch was purchased by A.J. Sheldon, and later sold to Peter O'Brien. It is still a portion of the O'Brien Ranch, operated by Dean and Neal O'Brien.

In her 1981 manuscript, BonnieMargaret noted that George also invested wisely in real estate in Denver. He at one time owned most of what would become California street, from 16th to 18th street. His home was at 1725 California, which would soon become the heart of the banking area of Denver. He also owned a block on Curtis Street, this too in the heart of the commericial downtown area. (Jacobs, p. 121).

A notice of George's death appeared in the January 24, 1908 issue of the Cass City Chronicle, in "Local Items", page 4:

Mrs. John Striffler and Mrs. Louise Striffler received the news of the death of their brother, George Benkelman, on Jan 16, at his home in Denver, Colorado. Mr. M.M. Schwegler, another sister, who left Cass City last fall, to assist in caring for Mr. Benkelman, is expected by her friends to return to this place within a few months.

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Denver, Arapahoe, Colorado
Source:FHL Film 125 4088 National Archives Film T9-0088
Page 25 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John G. BENKELMAN Self M M W 49 WURTEMBERG Occ: Live Stock Dealer Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
Christina BENKELMAN Wife F M W 48 WURTEMBERG Occ: Keeps House Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
George W. BENKELMAN Son M S W 17 CO Occ: School Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
Charles A. BENKELMAN Son M S W 14 CO Occ: Schoo lFa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
Henry J. BENKELMAN Son M S W 12 CO Occ: School Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
George A. BENKEMAN Other [Nephew] M M W 28 NY Occ: Cattle Dealer Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
Barbara BENKEMAN Other [Wife of Nephew AND sister-in-law] F M W 27 WURTEMBERG Occ: None Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG
Mary DEVERNES Other [Sister] F S W 36 WURTEMBERG Occ: Seamstress Fa: WURTEMBERG Mo: WURTEMBERG

Johann married Christina "Christine" Rommel about 1861 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. Christina (daughter of Michael Rommel and Maria Barbara Frey) was born on 3 Mar 1831 in B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 10 Jan 1903 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver County, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as "Denver George." He founded the Finance Service Corporation and the Merchants Biscuit Company. He served as secretary to the Colorado Packing and Provision Company. His father had founded the company, but the younger George managed it until its merger in 1913 with the National Packing Company.

He tore down the Benkelman residence and built the Benkelman Block at 18th and California. There was housed the Finance Service Corporation.

BonnieMargaret transcribed his obituary from the Rocky Mountain News as follows:

"George W. Benkelman, founder and vice president of the Merchants' Biscuit company and the last of a long line of pioneer settlers in the West, fell dead early last evening at the Denver Athletic Club following an acute heart attack. Mr. Benkelman at the time was chatting with friends at the club and until he suddenly dropped forward in his chair, he gave no indication of the sudden seizure of heart disease which caused his almost instant death. Having for many years been closely identified with mining, manufacturing and cattle interests, Mr. Benkelman occupied a prominent position in the financial and industrial life of the city and state." (Jacobs, p. 122 and 123).

BonnieMargaret also wrote, in a separate paper about the Kansas Benkelmans, that one of his honorary pallbearers was William Buck, a Cheyenne County Rancher, who was located 4 miles north of St. Francis.

George was unmarried and had no heirs. An item in his will left property in Trust with The Denver National Bank. The will provided that at the end of five years, the bank, as trustee, would convey title to the property to a corporation and one-tenth of the capital stock should be given to Mrs. Mary M. (Lena Benkelman) Schwegler or her heirs.

Lena died childless, and before the expiration of the trust. Her heirs were the descendants of her brothers and sisters, as they also had predeceased her. This Decree, dated September 2, 1931 by the District Court of Denver, Colorado, is an important genealogical document. The Bank had to locate and identify 60 widely scattered Benkelman heirs to share in this inheritance. BonnieMargaret references this as Court docket No. 111060, filed on June 12, 1931 in the District Couty, State of Colorado, City and County of Denver.

Bonnie notes that the Denver branch of the Benkelman family were all originally buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Denver, but reinterred to the Fairmount Cemetery on October 14, 1920 by George W.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1910 Census
Colorado, Denver County, Denver Ward 9
Enumerated 21 Apr 1910
Twenty First Street
523-91-146
Benkelman, George W Head M W 47 S Co Germany/German Germany/German Office Beef and Pork Packer
Benkelman, Charlie A Brother M W 44 m1 1 Colorado Germany/German Germany/German President Oil and Gas co
Benkelman, Florence E Sister in Law F W 35 m1 1 England/English England/English England/English 1891 None
Benkelman, Harry J Brother M W 42 S Colorado Germany/German Germany/German Own Income

1920 Census
Colorado, Denver County, Denver City
Enumerated 3 Jan 1920
SD 1 ED 262 Sheet 2B
1080-40-41
Dronn (or Drown), Linnaeus Head M W 46 m Oh Pa Oh Surgeon General Practice
Dronn(or Drown), Cora M Wf F W 45 m Oh Pa Oh
Benkelman, George W Lodger M W 57 S Co Germany/English Germany/English Mining Mine

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 5, 1916
Page Five

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Benkelman of Denver, Colorado, are guests of their aunt, Mrs. M. M. Schwegler, while they are visiting a host of relatives in this vicinity.

In her 1981 manuscript, BonnieMargaret writes that "son Charles was never in good health and limited his interests to the family mining properties though he held several sales positions in Denver. At one point it seems that J. G. founded a business, the Columbian Engraving Co., hoping it would give Charles' business activities some direction, but it lasted only a few years." (Jacobs, p. 121).


(Research):


Census Listings:

1910 Census
Colorado, Denver County, Denver Ward 9
Enumerated 21 Apr 1910
Twenty First Street
523-91-146
Benkelman, George W Head M W 47 S Co Germany/German Germany/German Office Beef and Pork Packer
Benkelman, Charlie A Brother M W 44 m1 1 Colorado Germany/German Germany/German President Oil and Gas co
Benkelman, Florence E Sister in Law F W 35 m1 1 England/English England/English England/English 1891 None
Benkelman, Harry J Brother M W 42 S Colorado Germany/German Germany/German Own Income

Charles married Florence Elliott about 1909 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Florence was born on 5 Apr 1875 in England, United Kingdom; died on 15 Mar 1917 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver County, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was an officer in State National Bank. He and his brother George lived in their family home at 523 Twenty-First Street in Denver, along with brother Charles and his wife. (Art Peck).

BonnieMargaret, in her 1981 manuscript, wrote that "Harry began his work experience as a deputy city clerk, was eventually absorbed within the Colorado Packing and Provision Company as a clerk and ultimately became a branch manager of this family enterprise. Harry's obituary described him as "generous and liberal, perhaps to a fault" and he eventually died in a Denver sanitarium, hospitalized 7 years with an alcohol problem he was not able to overcome."