Anna Maria Reick

Anna married Johannes Schaufele on 25 Jul 1821 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Johannes (son of Gottlieb Schaufele and Maria Agnes Straub) was born on 11 Aug 1794 in Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 21 Feb 1879 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

As noted in the "Memoirs of John A. Benkelman" by Hilda Jane Stickley Benkelman, when Catherine and Adam first immigrated to the United States, they lived with her brother Johann Scheifle in Erie County New York. I was, however, unable to locate a Johann/John Scheifle on either the 1850 or 1860 census. I did find a Gottlieb Scheifly on both however.

Hilda Jane further wrote that "Catherine was a favorite in the community. She was jolly and fat, a very good cook of German style dishes, and a mother to everyone in the neighborhood. A good midwife, she was called in by the neighbors in case of sickness or for confinements as there were few doctors around at that time. She helped bring more than 100 babies into the world. "

Catherine made a home for her nephew, Leonard Buerhly, when he first came to Cass City. Leonard was the son of her sister Marie.

Cass City Chronicle
November 1, 1901
Local Mention, Page Eight

Grandma Benkelman has rented her property on East Houghton Street and has disposed of all her household goods and will henceforth make her home with Mrs. Lena Schwegler.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 28, 1906

Died Suddenly

Mrs. Catherine Benkelman, aged eighty-three years, died suddenly at her home on East Main street Sunday evening, December 23. While eating with Mrs. M. M. Schwegler she suddenly became unconscious from which condition she did not recover. She has been troubled with heart disease for many years.

Catherine Scheifele was born August 23, 1823 in Boertlingen, Germany. In the year 1837 she was confirmed. She was united in marriage to Adam Benkelman in Germany in 1851 and they came to America the same year, living in Bowmansville, N.Y., until 1865. That year they came to Cass City, residing on a farm northeast of town. By hard work and frugal living Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman acquired a goodly portion of property and in 1884 they retired from active life and move to town to spend their remaining days. Mr. Benkelman died nine year ago on the 27?sup?th?/sup? of December and nearly ever since that time Mrs. Benkelman had resided with Mrs. M.M. Schwegler on east Main street, the ladies enjoying each other's companionship to the fullest extent. Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman were the parents of seven children, one daughter dying at the age of fifteen. The remaining children, five sons and one daughter, are: George A. of St. Francis, Kansas, William F. of Owosso, Benjamin F., Samuel G. and John A. Benkelman and Mrs. Louisa Schwegler of this place. She also leaves twenty-five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

All her children were present at the funeral services which took place Thursday forenoon at the Evangelical church of which the deceased was an honored and beloved member, and the burial was made in Elkland cemetery. The pallbearers were five sons and a grandson, W.J. Schwegler. The funeral service was largely attended.

Mrs. Benkelman was a lady of beautiful character, loving and kind in disposition and will be missed by many who found in her a good neighbor and friend.

Detail of Death Certificate: Tuscola County, Village of Cass City, CATHERINE BENKELMAN, Female, White, DOB 23 Aug 1823, 83 yrs, 4 mos, 0 days, Married at age 28 years, parent of 7 children, 6 living, Born Germany, Father Schifley, Germany, Mother Not Known, Occupation Housewife, Informant J.A. Benkelman, DOD 23 Dec 1906, Attending Physician W.W. Wickwars, Cass City, Dates December 1904 to Dec 23, 1906 last seen alive on Dec 23 at 6 pm, Burial Elkland Dec 27, 1906, Undertaker H Polk Cass City

A copy can be seen here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Catheren Benkelman

(Research):

Census Records, her brother??

1850 US Census
New York Erie County Buffalo Ward 4 23 Aug 1850 ---
1808 Gottlieb Scheifly 25 M Shoemaker Germany
Maria Scheifly 24 F Germany
Georg Scheifly 2 M New York

1860 US Census
New York Erie County Bowmansville
725-725 Godlip Sheifley 35 M Shoemaker $500 Germany
Mary Sheifley 34 F Baden
George Shufley 12 M NY
John " 10 M NY
Godlip " 7 M NY
William " 5 M NY
Frederick " 2 M NY
Charles Fink 19 M Shoemaker Germany
Christina Shufly 17 F NY


Gottlieb would have been born ca. 1825. Kathy Bonnell's transcription of Baptismal records do not show a son named Gottlieb born at that time. Catherine did have a brother Johannes born ca. 1828. Could his middle name be Gottlieb? Could he be the child named Gottlob born ca 1830? The baptismal records, however, show that son died ca. 1843.

Anna married Johann Adam Benkelman on 24 Feb 1851 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Johann (son of Johann Leonhard Benkelmann and Maria Dorothea St?hle) was born on 13 Feb 1825 in Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 30 Dec 1897 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 2 Jan 1898 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Johannes B?hrle on 12 Aug 1858 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Johannes (son of Matth?us B?hrle and Christina Madgalena Stegmaier) was born on 30 Mar 1827 in Bartenbach, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 4 Apr 1872. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Jakob Wahl on 12 Nov 1872 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Jakob was born on 18 Mar 1840 in Brend, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

George was the first Benkelman born in the United States. He was born only a few weeks after Adam and Catherine arrived.

In her history of the Colorado and Nebraska Benkelman's, Margaret "Bonnie" Jacob wrote that George Adam Benkelman was living with his family in Cass City, Michigan when his Uncle, "Big George" Benkelman, contacted him about going into the cattle business with him in Colorado. Just 19 years old, and eager to get on with his life, "Little George" eagerly accepted. It was 1870 when he arrived in Denver. Big George explained to him the need for a relocation of the cattle herd. Little George saddled his horse and rode from Denver to the Kansas-Colorado state line and down the south fork of the Republican River. Just inside the state line he lay in a draugh and watched an entire hunting party of Cheyenne Indians cross the river and continue riding south. He knew that if they saw him that he was dead. Luckily, he continued on his journey, but traveled cautiously from then on. He returned to Denver drawing to a close his 400 mile horseback trip.

Little George set out on a second trip east to find line camp headquarters for the Benkelman Ranch. When George Adam Benkelman viewed the valley of the south fork of the Republican River, he saw a carpet of buffalo grass about 8 inches high. It was lush and beautiful with very few trees. The stream trickled across the prairie aimlessly. One did not have to travel very far in either direction to find a bleak desolate land with no water and absolutely no trees. The visibility on a clear day was for miles. There were no buildings except for the deserted stage station which was made of sod. There was not yet to be a fence on the prairie. This trip he traveled much the same route as the first trip only he continued down the south fork of the Republican into Nebraska Territory and back down through what is now Oberlin and on to what is now Ellis, Kansas just west of Hays. Indians were encountered several times on this trip and several skirmishes took place. He returned to Denver with the location selected on the south fork of the Republican River just inside the state line of Kansas. The journey encompassed approximately 800 miles on horseback.

In 1874, Big George, Little George, Jake Haigler, Ben and Jim Morning and a handful of cowboys moved the Benkelman herd to the selected area in 34-4-42 Kansas. Big George returned to Denver. Little George, Jake Haigler and the Mornings looked after the herd. A sod house was built and the ranch was named the JC Ranch. The grazing lands included northeastern Colorado, Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas lands. Large herds of 5,000 to 20,000 head of cattle were run on this range.

George Adam generally kept 10 cowboys, but during round-up and branding time the number would increase to 30. The closest place for the cowboys to purchase supplies was the Roubidoux Store at Fort Wallace, which was 70 miles away. The trip was made about 3 times a year. A guard was posted at Fort Wallace to prevent trail herds being driven north from Texas from taking strays belonging to the Benkelmans.

Jake Haigler was the foreman on the JC. Realizing that other large cattle companies might move in, George Adam urged Jake to from a cattle company up north to prevent a squeeze. Jake went to Missouri in 1875 for 1 year and then returned and formed a cattle company. The Haigler, Aix, Perkins Cattle Company was made up of family and friends. In 1876, he established on the Arickaree Forks in Nebraska.

The winters in western Kansas were extremely cold. The location of the line camp was straight west of the deserted station 20 on the Pikes Peak Leavenworth Trail. The road to Denver lead home for George Adam. On his trips home, he always stayed at the Benkelman residence.

One particular trip in 1877 proved to be a turning point in his life. The guest of honor at the Benkelman house was Mary Barbara Rommel, Christine's sister. She had been in America only five years.

When John George and George Adam returned to the range in 1878, they moved the headquarters of the ranch down the Republican River seven miles for better hay meadows and springs. The Benkelman Ranch was headquartered up the river from Wano. The exact location was 11-4-41. The new operation was called the T Wrench Ranch because of the brand. The new headquarters consisted of a row of 3 sod houses, an underground storage room, a blacksmith shop, sod barn 20x90 for 22 horses, 11 stalls for two horses each. The roof was made of tree limbs and hay. The corral was 204 square feet.

On January 6, 1880, George Adam Benkelman was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Rommel at the Benkelman residence in Denver. The ranching business had been quite prosperous. George Adam longed for Mary Barbara to be by his side. Their first child, Lottie, was born October 24, 1880 in Denver, as was their son Frank. George and Barbara were living with George and Christina at the time of the 1880 census.

George Adam loaded his family into a wagon and moved from Denver to the JC Ranch in September 1886. Mary Barbara had to be surprised when she saw her new home. It was a small sod hut absolutely colorless with no trees or landscaping. Water had to be hauled from the river, which was only a few steps away. The outdoor privy was not constructed until shortly before she arrived. The inside of the soddie allowed no frills. The walls were plastered with a limestone mixture. She had brought her cookstove from Denver. Wood and cow chips had to be gathered from the offerings of the prairie. One always felt better when there was a stash of chips piled not to far from the house, because of the severe winters. It is amazing what she did with the one room soddie with a few curtains and well spaced colored articles. Life was hard for the pioneers, but Mary Barbara never complained. She tended her family with all the grace and charm with which she had been endowed. Two more children were born, Charles in 1888 and George Albert in 1890. They were the first children born on the ranch.

The ranch cook was Billy Walsh of Irish descent. He had hunted buffalo on the prairies since 1872. A.W. Tip Spencer worked for the Benkelman's since 1877. Other ranch hands were John Burgwald, Ben Benkelman, Lee Bright, Mart Tscheudy, Walter Tovey, Harry Strangeways, John Chandler, George Fahrion, Wallace Clow, Emmet Vandergrift and Elmer Tabor. During the roundup season, the cowboys slept on the ground.

The following was published in the Cass City Enterprise, August 10, 1893, Vol. XII, No. 35:

"Geo. A. Benkelman, of Jaqua, Kansas, is here on a visit to his father, Adam Benkelman, and brothers. Mr. Benkelman reports the wheat crop in his vicinity this season is about as light as is the money crop the U.S. over."

In 1894, the George Adam Benkelmans moved to St. Francis, Kansas after he was elected County Clerk. He served in that capacity until 1904, when he resigned to enter other business opportunities. In 1905, he was appointed postmaster in St. Francis. He served until 1915. He was enroute to California when he suffered a stroke. He died in Alhambra, California, February 10, 1929 at age 77. His wife had died earlier, on May 18, 1928, at age 75, in St. Francis. She was stricken with apoplexy and never regained consciousness before she passed away.

The following biography was transcribed from "A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans," written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. [Revised ed.] Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1919, c1918. 5 v. (xlviii, 2530 p., [155] leaves of plates): ill., maps (some fold.), ports.; 27 cm.

GEORGE ADAM BENKELMAN. One historical account states that the first cattle ranch in Cheyenne County was established in the year 1876, but there were no really permanent settlements made for several years after that. These facts give interesting prominence to the career of George A. Benkelman, a well known business man and citizen of St. Francis, who by every right and propriety may be regarded as the real pioneer and first permanent settler of the county, since he was herding cattle on the range in this northwestern corner of Kansas in the year 1876. At that time the frontier was exposed to danger from Indians, who were still numerous and many of them hostile, and there were many more buffaloes to be seen on the prairies than native cattle.

Few men still living have had more intimate contact with the life and times of the old West than George Adam Benkelman. He was born at Lancaster in Erie County, New York, September 7, 1851. His father, Adam Benkelman, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, in 1830, grew up and married in that kingdom, learned the trade of cooper, and in 1851 brought his family to the United States and settled at Bowmansville, New York. He was a cooper there and in 1865 went to Michigan, where he was both a cooper and farmer. He died at Cass City, Michigan, in 1901. On getting his first papers as an American citizen he affiliated with the democratic party but became a republican later through his admiration of President Lincoln. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Adam Benkelman married Christina Schifely, who was born in Wuertemberg in 1826 and died at Cass City, Michigan, in 1910. George Adam was the oldest of their children; Louise is still living in Cass City, Michigan, widow of Andrew Schwegler, who was a farmer there; John also lives on a farm in Cass City; S. G. is a carpenter and farmer at Cass City; W. F. is bookkeeper for a lumber firm in Detroit; and B. F. is a general merchant at Cass City.

Thus of all the family George Adam Benkelman has shown the most enterprise in breaking away from home ties and discovering new fields of conquest in remote districts. He got his education in the public schools of Cass City but at the age of nineteen started out to make his own way in the world. His journeyings soon brought him into the far West and he had an extensive experience as a cowboy in Colorado and along the Western Kansas line. When he was in Cheyenne County in 1876 he had no neighbor nearer than Fort Wallace, seventy-five miles away. He ran his herd of cattle over a domain of country unvexed by wire fence or any other civilized obstruction and made no attempt to secure a more permanent location until the spring of 1888, when he took advantage of the homestead laws and filed upon a quarter section and also a timber claim. The homestead was his place of residence and center of operations until the spring of 1894. Some years later he sold that quarter section.

In the fall of 1893 Mr. Benkelman was elected county clerk of Cheyenne County, and his official duties brought him to St. Francis. He was county clerk for eleven consecutive years. In 1905 President Roosevelt appointed him postmaster of St. Francis, and that office kept him as its incumbent by successive appointments until July, 1915. In the meantime he was identified with all the progressive movements for the upbuilding of his home town. For several years he clerked in a general merchandise store in St. Francis and also owns a farm of 160 acres near St. Francis and thirty-three acres adjoining the town. He is president of the Herald Publishing Company. Mr. Benkelman's home is a modern residence remodeled in 1905, and it stands upon a considerable plat of ground. Politically he is a republican and is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also served as noble grand of Rising Star Lodge of Odd Fellows, and is a past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at St. Francis.

In January, 1880, at Denver, Colorado, Mr. Benkelman married Miss Mary B. Rommel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rommel, both now deceased. To their marriage were born four children: Lottie C., a graduate of the Cheyenne County High School and of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and is at home with her parents; Frank B. is a graduate of the County High School and of the School of Pharmacy of Kansas City, Missouri, and is a registered pharmacist at Kansas City; Charles A. graduated in pharmacy in the Kansas University and is connected with a general store at McDonald, Kansas; George A., Jr., is a dentist, a graduate of the Western Dental College of Kansas City, Missouri, and while his home and professional office are at St. Francis, he was with the United States Army on professional duty at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. "

Cass City Chronicle
July 15, 1927

Mr. and Mrs. George Benkelman, Miss Lottie Benkelman, and Dr. and Mrs. Albert Benkelman, all of St. Francis, Kansas, are guests at the Benjamin F. Benkelman home and are also visiting other relatives in this community. George Benkelman is a brother of John, Samuel and Benjamin Benkelman and lived in Elkland Township when a lad in the late sixties. He left her in 1870 for the West and has spent most of the years since that date in Kansas.

(Research):Cemetery Records:

Benjamin, Orvil B., 12 May 1897--02 Aug 1969,
s/o Alvin Benjamin and Gertrude ROSHONG

Benkelman, George Adam, 07 Sept 1851--10 Feb 1929, h/o Mary B. ROMMEL,
s/o Adam Benkelman and Catherine SCHEULFE

Benkelman, George Albert, 13 Oct 1890--23 Dec 1973, h/o Ruth M.
LOCKWOOD, s/o George A. Benkelman and Mary B. ROMMEL

Benkelman, Lottie Christine, 24 Oct 1880--01 Jun 1956,
w/o Farmer L. Shields and William M. Ball,
d/o George A. Benkelman and Maria B. ROMMEL

?u??/u?

St.Francis Cemetery
Submitted & ? 2003 by: Marilyn Holzwarth

George married Maria Barbara Rommel on 6 Jan 1880 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Maria (daughter of Michael Rommel and Maria Barbara Frey) was born on 1 Jun 1852 in B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 18 May 1928 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; was buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Cheyenne County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1916
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. Louisa Schwegler and Mrs. M. M. Schwegler went to Crieff, Ont., Thursday to spend a few weeks with the former's daughter, Mrs. Charles Gregor.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, September 19, 1924
Vol. 20, No. 19

Resident of Elkland Township for Nearly Sixty Years---
Mrs. Louisa Schwegler Faced Hardships of Pioneer Life in this Community---

The funeral service of Mrs. Louisa Schwegler was held at the Evangelical church at Cass City, of which she was a member, on Saturday afternoon, September 13, conducted by Rev. C.C. Smith, the pastor. Interment was made in Elkland Cemetery.

Louisa Benkelman was born April 9, 1853, in Bowmansville, New York. In 1865 she moved with her parents to Cass City, where she was brought face to face with the hardships of pioneer life.

At the age of twenty, she was united in marriage with Andrew Schwegler and moved with her husband to their farm one mile east and three miles north of Cass City, where she resided until some time after her husband's death which occurred December 25, 1899. Six children were born to this wedlock: Samuel, Laura, William, Mary, Benjamin and Katherine, all of whom reside with their families in the vicinity of Cass City excepting Samuel who preceded his parents in death, and Laura, who with her husband and family lives at Puslinch, Ontario.

Louisa was a genial, lovable women, an efficient housekeeper and an excellent homemaker, loyal to God and her fellowman. She will be sorely missed.

She departed this life September 11, 1924 at the age of 71 years, five months, and two days.

Besides her five children, she leaves five brothers, John, Samuel, and B.F. Benkelman of Cass City, William Benkelman of Detroit, and George Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, 14 grandchildren and many other relatives.

Relatives and friends from a distance in attendance at the funeral Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. C.W Gregor and daughter of Puslinch, Ontario, Wm. Benkelman and son, Jack, of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Gregor of Elkton, Harold of Sandusky and Miss Mae Benkelman of Flint.

Cass City Chronicle
October 17, 1924
Page Seven
Public Notices

In the matter of the Estate of Louisa SCHWEGLER, Deceased

Laura GREGOR, Wm. J. SCHWEGLER, Mary JAUS and Ben SCHWEGLER having filed in said court their petition praying that the administration of said estate be granted to Wm. J. Schwegler or to some other suitable person, It is Ordered, That the 27th day of October A.D. 1924 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at said probate office, be and is hereby appointed for hearing said petition; It is Further Ordered, That public notice thereof be given by publication of a copy of this order, once each week for three successive weeks previous to said day of hearing, in the Cass City Chronicle, a newspaper printed and circulated in said county. O.D. Hill, Judge of Probate

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 12 and 14 June 1880
Page 16 SD Third ED 400
153-153
Schwegler, Andres M W 35 Farmer Wurtemberg Wurtemberg Wurte
mberg
Schwegler, Louisa W F 27 Wf Keeping (house) NY Wurtemberg Wurtember
Schwegler, Samuel W M 9 Son At Home Mich Wurtermberg NY
Schwegler, Laura W F 2 Dtr At home Mich Wurtermberg NY
Schwegler, John W W M 10/12 Aug Son (daughter was originally written, and then crossed through) At home Mich Wurtemberg NY
Buerk, Catie W F 14 Domestic Housekeeper Wurtemberg Wurtemberg Wurtermberg
Gombacher, William W M 24 Domestic Farmer Mich Wurtermberg Wurtemberg

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 19 and 20 April 1910 by John A. Benkelman
SD 8 ED 112 Sheet 2A
27-29
Schwegler, Benj. Hd M W 24 S Mich Germany NY Farmer
Schwegler, Louisa Mother F W 57 Wd 6/5 NY Germany Germany Own Income
Schwegler, Catherine Sister F w 17 S Mich Germany NY
28-29
Schwegler, William J Hd M W 30 M1 Mich Germany NY
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 26 M1 1/1 Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic
Schwegler, Andrew Son M W 2/12 S Mich Mich Canada/Gaelic
Crocker, Henry Hired Man M W 26 S Mich Ohio Germany Laborer Farm

Louisa married Andreas "Andrew" Schwegler on 12 Apr 1874 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Andreas (son of Johannes Schw?gler and Christina Steiner) was born on 9 Jan 1849 in Breech, B?rtlingen Parish, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 25 Dec 1899 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following biographical information about John was excerpted from the MEMOIRS OF JOHN A. BENKELMAN (By Hilda Jane Stickley, 1966)

John said "I went to school in New York State and learned my A B C 's. When we moved to Michigan I was nine years old, the nearest school was too far to walk back and forth each day. I went to the Bird school when I was 12 years old and stayed with a Mrs. Myers who lived near the school and whose husband worked in the lumber woods. Mr Myers did not want his wife (they had no children) to stay alone and so Father said that I could go and stay with her while going to school. I did the chores--brought in the water, cut the wood for cooking and heating. I attended school along with a few other children. During the winter the teacher planned a spelldown with another school near Gagetown. I remember that I was a good speller and got ready for the spelldown by learning to spell all the words in the two books that the teacher let me take home to study after my chores were done." He was spelled down with the name Zachariah, however, taken from a book he had not studied.

Wild game was abundant near John's home. John remembered one time when a swarm of wild passenger pigeons nesting in trees all through the nearby swamps. Nor was it unusual for bears to prowl around their log home at night. John related that his father "had bought an old Civil War army musket from a returned soldier and had loaded it ready for use if a bear appeared. He had warned us boys that the gun was loaded and for us not to dare to touch it. One day soon afterwards, I looked across a small field of wheat on John Striffler's farm and saw two deer grazing in the wheat. Mother and Father were away, so I though 'This is my chance!' I sneaked the musket out and went back through the woods on the windward side. When I was in sight of the deer still feeding, I laid down behind a big log and took good aim, pulled down on the trigger. The gun went off with a loud bang, knocking me backwards behind the log, knocking the wind out of me and giving me a few bruises. When I got up I looked over where the deer had been. There was a big buck kicking his last. His horns were so big I was afraid to go near him, so turned and ran for home fast as I could. Mother had just returned, and I told her what I had done. She said 'Your Father will give you punishment for this!' When Father came home we had our supper, but I did not eat much as I was afraid of what he would say or do to me. After a while, Mother said 'John, you tell your Father what you did.' He looked mighty cross after I told him, but did not say a word, but went and got a latern, lighted it and said, 'Come on John, show me where the deer is.' We dragged it home, dressed it out and cut it up. Father made me carry a quarter to Jake Striffler and one to John Striffler the next day. The other half, father cut up in pieces and mother preserved some in a salt brine and the rest was hung in the cold shed to keep for later use. Father never scolded me, but he never loaded the gun again, unless he was taking it to the woods to hunt himself. And I did not have a desire to shoot that old kicking musket off again."

John helped his father on the farm, and at the age of 15 he was "a chore boy in a typical Michigan lumber camp of those early days. The camp was about 15 miles North and East of Cass City. The forest extended for miles around us containing all sorts of trees, but the lumbermen were just interested in the pines...I took care of the horses, kept the woodboxes full and helped Kitty Kelley, the cook." The work of the lumbermen apparently impressed John greatly. He related that often he would "steal away from my chores, walk along the pine-fragrant trail and join the men and the excitement of cutting down the big pines. By the time spring came and the ice had thawed in the river, the logs were piled sky high along the bank to be floated down with the swift current to the saw mills in Saginaw. The job of floating the logs down the river was a dangerous one and called for experience and team work. A special crew of men handled this job. They had a river raft which floated along behind the workmen and could be tied to trees along the bank at any time they wanted to stop for the night...(it) was about 100 feet long. Several men followed along the river bank on each side and dislodged the logs that got stuck along the bank and jammed up the current. Then the men walked out on the logs with long poles and pryed them loose. This was dangerous work and some men lost their lives. One day I was supposed to help the men and was trying to loosen some logs with a pole. I lost my footing and fell in the river. The men helped me out. While waiting for my clothes to dry, I decided that was too big a job for a 15 year old boy to do. By this time I had enough of that winter work and told the cook that I was going home. The crew was very sorry to see me leave and I walked back to the farm. Father and Mother were glad to have me home again as well as I was to be there."

John met his first wife, Rosina, while on a visit to New York. They were married in 1879. They can be found in the 1880 census. Living with them is 18 year old Christoph Seeger.

After the death of Rosina, John moved from Cass City to Kansas, and worked on the ranch of his Uncle George, alongside his brothers George and Ben. He lived there almost 4 years, working for $30 a month. He also was homesteading 200 acres of land adjoining his uncles. He returned to Cass City in 1889. He married for a second time to Augusta Krehl in the spring of 1890. They went on honeymoon to Traverse City, and by boat to Milwakee to see Augusta's father (Frederick Krehl), who was in the Old Soldier's home there. Mr. Krehl gave John power of attorney so he could sell some property he owned in Davenport, Iowa. John took Augusta back home, and later traveled to Iowa to sell the property. He gave her the $1200 proceeds.

Bonnie Petee abstracted the following regarding the Evangelical Association from "The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and Illustrations," H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. "A class of this church which is commonly known as the German Methodist, was organized in the town of Elkland about the year 1866, by the Rev. Stephen Henne in connection with the Sebewaing mission. The class numbered about fifteen members. It has had regular services from that time to the present, and a regular succession of pastors. Services being held in the school-house, one mile north and one-half mile east of Cass City. In the latter part of 1882, a formal organization was effected at Cass City, and steps taken for the construction of a house of worship, which is now in course of construction. The earnest zeal of the members and their individual labors and contributions of material have reduced the estimated cost of the building to about $1,500. The pastor of the church at the present time is the Rev. B. F. Wade, who resides on his farm in the town of Elkland. The membership is about fifty. There is a preaching every second Sunday; prayer-meeting and Sunday-school every Sabbath. The trustees of the church are, John Benkelman, Fred Krapf, Oscar Sencner, Levi Muntz and Adam Benkelman."

Cass City Chronicle
December 4, 1908

Notice to Taxpayers

I will be at B. F. Benkelman's store Cass City, to collect the taxes of Elkland township on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

J. A. BENKELMAN, Treas.

Cass City Chronicle
November 20, 1908

Local Items

The quartet of hunters returned from Hubbard Lake Wednesday evening. They report plenty of game and a good time. Wm. Ball brought home two deer and John Ball one, while they and the other two hunters, J. A. Benkelman and J. C. Lauderbach, exhibited a nice bunch of whiskers which greatly improved (?) their appearance. All of them had great luck in shooting birds-the men, not the whiskers.

Cass City Chronicle
February 20, 1931
John A. Benkelman published a notice on the first page of the paper to the Elkland Township voters, seeking their support in his candidacy for supervisor of the Republican caucus.


His obituary follows:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 15, 1952
Vol 47, No 16

John Benkelman, 96, Dies in Hospital Friday Afternoon

John Adam Benkelman, 96, well-known Cass City businessman and civic leader, died late Friday afternoon, August 8, after spending six days in the Cass City Hospital.

The pioneer resident of Cass City had been in failing health for nearly a year.

Mr. Benkelman spent eight years as a partner in the Young and Benkelman meat market in Cass City and served over 10 years as a supervisor for Elkland Township. His varied business career also included farming an work in the implement business.

He was regarded as an authority on early Cass City area history and was noted for his memory of incidents that occurred during pioneer days in this community.

Mr. Benkelman was one of the few men in the entire nation who could remember the hour of Abraham Lincoln's death and the funeral that followed.

He was born in Bowmansville, New York, April 26, 1856, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman. Together with his parents, he moved to a farm in this community when nine years old.

Mr. Benkelman married Miss Augusta Krehl in Cass City in the fall of 1890. The couple made their home int he area until Mrs. Benkelman died in 1935.

Survivors are: one daughter, Mrs. Marie BROWN of Pigeon; four sons, Glenn of Lakewood, Ohio, Dorus of Cass City, Alvin of Alexandria, Virginia, and John of Detroit; six granchildren; one great-granchild; and one brother, Ben Benkelman of Cass City. One daughter, three brothers, and one sister died before him.

Burial was in the family lot in Elkland cemetery.

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan Source:FHL Film 125
4607
National Archives Film T9-0607 Page 95B RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John BENKELMAN Self M M W 24 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Rosa BENKELMAN Wife F M W 22 WERTENBURG Occ:Keeping House Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Christoph SEEGER Other M S W 18 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland
Enumerated 21 January 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 6A
FM 123-126
Striffler, William D
Fm 124-127
Jaus, John and Maud
Fm 125-128
John A. Benkelman Hd M W 63 New York Wurtemberg Germany Wurtemberg Germany Farmer
Benkelman, Augusta Wf F W 49 M Iowa Wurtemberg Germany/German Germany/German
Benkelman, Dorus Son M W 27 S Mich New York Iowa Clerk in Bank
Benkelman, John Son M W 12 S Mich New York Iowa

John married Rosina Wahl about 1879 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. Rosina (daughter of Johann Michael Wahl and Anna Maria Nagel) was born on 5 Nov 1857 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 3 May 1886 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Augusta Catherine Freidrika Krehl on 19 Jun 1890 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Augusta (daughter of Friedrich Krehl and Philippine Blaufuss) was born on 6 Mar 1870 in Franklin Center, Lee County, Iowa; died on 8 Feb 1934 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs wrote that "Sam Benkelman, brother of Little George, John and Ben, also came west in 1880 for the wedding of Little George. He took one look at Kansas and high tailed it back to Denver where he spent two years as a carpenter for the D&RG railroad...then returned to Cass City where he devoted his life to residential construction. He apparently built most of the homes of all of our relatives there. "

Cass City Chronicle
August 18, 1899
Chroniclings, page 8

Sam Benkelman is travelling in the interest of the Wettlaufer & Ratz Manufacturing Company, and will visit Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant and other points.


Cass City Enterprise
April 3, 1902
Local Happenings, Page 1
S.G. Benkelman is now manager at the Cass City Foundry, the former manager, Ed Brotherton, being engaged in putting in the new machinery for the Cass City Brick and Tile Co.

Cass City Chronicle
August 28, 1936
Page 4

Samuel G. Benkelman experienced a genuine surprise Wednesday evening when a number of relatives and friends came to his home on East Third Street to celebrate his 79th birthday. A potluck supper and euchre were enjoyed. Mr. Benkelman received many nice gifts.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 27, 1940
Death Called Two Well Known Citizens Sunday-Chas. D. Striffler and Samuel G. Benkelman Have Long Resided in Elkland

Samuel G. Benkelman, who had been a resident of Elkland Township for 73 years, died at his home on East Third Street. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Angus McPhall residence. Rev. Paul J. Allured of Kinde, former pastor of the Cass City Presbyterian Church, officiated. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery. Samuel G. Benkelman was born in Bowmansville, New York, August 26, 1857, and came to Elkland Township with his parents, Adam and Catherine Benkelman, in 1865. Since that time with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived in this township. During 1882 and 1883, he was employed in railroad construction on the line from Pueblo, Colorado, to New Mexico. For many years he was engaged in farming on the Elkland-Greenleaf town line and on a farm one-half mile north of Elkland Cemetery. In 1913, he constructed a comfortable residence on East Third Street and since that time he and Mrs. Benkelman have resided in Cass City. He spent several years in working at the carpenter trade and there are many pieces of woodwork such as lamps, candlesticks and checkerboards in his home which are truly a work of art. They were a hobby of his for years. When Mr. Benkelman retired about seven years ago, he decided to keep himself busy by making things out of wood that he had never before found time to make. For some time he was manager and part owner of a foundry here. Mr. Benkelman was of a quiet, reserved nature, and although he never sought office, he was elected to the position of village trustee and as chief of fire department. Mr. Benkelman's first wife, the former Lydia STRIFFLER, passed away in 1887. Their son, Benjamin, died in infancy and their daughter, Mrs. Bertha WILLIAMS, May 16, 1929. He was married to Miss Mary STRIFFLER in 1888. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Joseph and Ward BENKELMAN, and two brothers, John A. and Benjamin F. BENKELMAN, all of Cass City. Both brothers are spending the winter in Florida.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900 A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 5B

HH 109-112 Adam (b. 1861 NY) and Susan MUCK (b. 1862, NY)

HH 110-113
Bankleman, Samuel Hd W M August 1857 42 M 18 NY Germany Ger
many
Bankleman, Mary Wife W F Dec 1861 48 M 18 3/3 Mo Germany Germany
Bankleman, Bertha Dtr W F August 1883 16 S Mich NY Mich
Bankleman, Joseph Son W M Oct 1889 10 S Micg NY Mo
Bankleman, Ward Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Mich NY Mo
Striffer, Joseph F in Law W M Spet 1826 73 W 40 Mich (sic) NY (sic) Mo (sic)

Samuel married Lydia Striffler on 17 Oct 1882 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Lydia (daughter of Christian Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel) was born in Jan 1859 in Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan; died on 16 May 1887 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Mary Striffler on 28 Nov 1888. Mary (daughter of Joseph Striffler and Rosina Margaretha Ballbach) was born on 8 Dec 1860 in Madison, Monroe County, Missouri; died on 5 Aug 1952 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benkleman, Mary M,d. 6 Jun 1874, 15y 2m 8d, d/o A & C

Source:

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

BonnieMargaret Jacobs (p. 153) writes that she died in an outbreak of Scarlet fever in 1874, as did four of her young Striffler cousins.

Notes:

Cass City Enterprise
December 18, 1902
Local Happenings, page 9

Prof. W. F. Benkelman, of Grayling, is spending a few days with relatives and friends here.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 7, 1930
Page 4

Week-end guests at the B. F. Benkelman, Sr. home were Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Benkelman and son, Jack, Mr. and Mrs. Willard McKenna and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Symington, all of Detroit.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 14, 1932
Vol. 27, Number 27

Early School Supt. Here Died in Detroit Tuesday

Wm. F. Benkelman, superintendent of schools in Cass City for three years in the "early eighties," passed away unexpectedly in Detroit Tuesday morning after a very short illness. Funeral services were held in Detroit Thursday night and the burial service will be held in Elkland cemetery this (Friday) morning.

Wm. F. Benkelman was born in Lancaster, N.Y., in 1862, and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman, to Cass City at the age of four years. After completing his education in the local school here, he attended North Central College in Napierville, Ill. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice McDougal and they both taught in the Cass City Schools. Mr. Benkelman serving as superintendent for about three years in a period about 1882 to 1885. He was engaged as an instructor in the schools at Grayling and was later employed by the Salling-Hanson Lumber Co., of that city. He afterwards engaged in the lumber business in Owosee (sp?). Mr. Benkleman, for many years, has resided in Detroit. Besides his widow, he leaves one son, John, and two daughters, Mrs. Frances Simington (sic) and Mrs. Helen McKinney (sic), all of Detroit, and three brothers, John A., Samuel G., and Benjamin F. Benkelman, Sr., all of Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit, Ward 1 Block 104
Enumerated April 12, 1930
ED 82-32 SD 21 Sheet 16B
256-216-75
Benkelman, William Hd M W 69 M 25 NY Germany Germany Clerk Auto Facility
Benkelman, Alice M Wf F W 59 M 18 Canada English Canada English Canada English
Benkelman, John F Son m W 24 S Mich NY Canada English Asst Advertising Mgr Publishing Co
Symington, Edwin S Son-in-law M W 42 M@32 Canada English Canada English England English Manager Electricity
Symington, Frances M Dtr F W 38 M28 Mich Ny Canada English

William married Alice Mary McDougall on 23 Jul 1886. Alice was born in Aug 1868 in London, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada; died on 27 Aug 1933 in Ontario, Canada; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs writes that "Ben Benkelman accompanied his parents to Denver in 1880, where his oldest brother George Adam Benkelman married Mary Barbara Rommel. Ben did not return to Cass City with his parents, choosing to instead try his hand at the ranching business. He went to work for his uncle and brother as a cowboy. The Benkelman ranching operations were on the border between Nebraska and Kansas, near the Colorado state line.

The Benkelmans shipped many cattle out of Collinsville, Nebraska. On one drive to ship cattle in 1882, they were honored with the removal of the Collinsville sign and the installation of the Benkelman sign. It is still known as Benkelman, Nebraska today. Benkelman Township, in Cheyenne County, Kansas is also named for the family. Cheyenne County was surveyed in 1873-1874 following the signing of an Act by Governor Osborne creating a number on new counties. It was opened for enrollment in 1885. The census at March 1, 1885 gave the population at Cheyenne County at 204, with at least 15 of this number associated with the Benkelman Ranch. A year later, the population was 1256.

The Benkelman men were industrious and hard working. They were well respected in the community. The biggest challenge they faced were the extremes in weather.

In September, 1885, the T Wrench Ranch has 15,000 head of cattle. The winter of 1886 was a complete diaster for the Benkelmans. Only 125 head of the 15,000 survived. But the family continued to stay on their feet.

In 1893-1894, there were 18 months of absolutely no moisture. Feed was scare and had to be shipped in. All the inhabitants of Cheyenne County were in trouble, and people moved out of it in droves. After this, the ranch was turned over to Ben Benkelman. The rest of the family removed themselves from the ranching business."

Below are excerpts from letters written by Ben, while he was working as a ranch hand, to a cousin in Cass City, Michigan. The original letters are owned by the family of Ben's grandson, Bob Benkelman, and the transcriptions below were done by Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs.

8-xx-1880 Republican River, Wallace, Kansas. Branded 3600 head of cattle and will start tomorrow to brand 2500 more for Tony.

11-5-1880 George went to Denver about three weeks ago for the winter. I'm in the line camp, and it's living like a mole in the ground. Wakened this morning with snow on my bed. Write to me at the new post office in Wano.

3-17-1881 Haven't seen a girl in four months. There was a dance about 50 miles from here and about 20 of us cowboys went.

9-22-1881 Wano. Plenty of work here now. Just got back from shipping beef and then go again the first of October.

1-xx-1882 Wano. Buffalo is getting scarce, but there's still lots of antelope. You come in the fall when we ship beef and then you could go to Chicago with the cattle. More railroads coming through here now. About 30 miles from here is the station called Benkelman. It is the B&M railroad and will go straight from Denver to Chicago.

6-6-1883 Benkelman. Had a dance at Atwood, Kansas just before I cam here from the ranch. Some girls live 25 miles down river. The mail is 22 miles away, so I go see the girls then pick up the mail on my way back.

1-5-1884 Went to school one day and teacher said I could come back, but I'm too busy.

2-3-1884 We're going to a dance on the 22nd, and there will be some girls there. Don't worry because we're not as bad as the Idaho boys.

3-xx-1884 Soon I have to gather 100 head of cattle which are on the range all winter.

4-25-1884 There's a dance tonight--the last before we start work. Going South to the Arkansas River this summer for 2 or 3 months. George was here from Denver a few days ago. The cook is setting dinner.

8-xx-1884 Back from the Arkansas. Have been stopping along the trail where Texas cattle are coming up. I was there to keep them from our range. Aunty is down from Denver, and doing so much talking I can't write. I bought 50 head of yearlings for $15.25 each.

10--18-1884 Steers worth $30 to $40 a head. There's antelope here and plenty of turkeys but buffalo are scarce. Wages are just fair, $25 to $50 a month. We've got all beef steers shipped now.

12-xx-1884 Staying alone now with no work except taking care of a few horses and cooking. It's boring here, but I make up for it when I go for the mail--12 miles from here.

7-8-1884 Building a sod stable 84 x 15. Will have 5,000 head of cattle to brand, and it will take 5 days. On the 4th, I went to Wano and it was no fun so I went on down river 3 miles, but missed the young folks. It was 4 0'clock and I didn't want to miss the fun on the holiday so started for the city of Benkelman which is 20 more miles. Had a big dance, but had to ride 30 miles home the next day. Went to Denver 3 weeks ago. Got there about 8 p.m. and we spent the evening principally on Holiday Street. Guess what they do on Holiday street!

[Dick Fischbach informed me that: " Holladay Street (note correct spelling) was the site of early Denver's notorious red light district, replete with crooked gambling dens, cheap saloons, dance halls, cribs and expensive brothels. Anything cowpunchers wanted was available on Holladay Street.]

1-xx-1885 All alone this winter, but only have to cook, eat and sleep. I'm burning coal so there is no wood to chop. I have 2 horses to ride. It's 12 miles to the nearest girl.

4-27-1885 Benkelman. Atwood, Kansas is about 60 miles from here. The area is settling up fast now. Farmers coming every day and taking up land. The cattle will have to leave. The range is getting too small for those large herds. I take care of 120 head of horses. I duck hunt because there's lots of ducks now.

11-25-1885 Wano. Got back yesterday from Sturgis and had a good time there. So many girls! (Note: Ben married Minnie Jesse of Sturgis on the JC Ranch in 1892).

1-7-1886 Snow is a foot deep on the level. I'm cooking for the boys now. It's o.k. until warm weather. Wish I'd stayed in school.

2-9-1886 Two of the boys have started for the Arkansas River to look of cattle that have gone down there. 200 head of horses to feed here every day--about 2 tons a day. That's exercise, and gives me appetite, so I'm at 175 lbs now.

4-18-1886 Went down to Benkelman last week for 2 days and had a good time. We're moving cattle up west to Colorado. Kansas is getting too thick for cattle now. Some nice, fat gals moving in now.

1-7-1887 Wallace. Traveling and staying near Wallace. Riding around town to town watching the farmers to keep them from killing our cattle. I'm working for $40 a month and all expenses.


7-7-1887 We're out on the range with 15-20 men in camp every night. We have a good time singing and playing. Address your next letter to Wallace, Kansas.

9-12-1888 We're shipping cattle to Chicago. Soon we'll be done then head back to the ranch for the winter. Send your next letter to St. Francis.

11-xx-1888 Cousin George took the cattle to Chicago this year.

1-xx-1889 I'm living alone this winter. Burning coal. There's no wood to chop. Went to Wano to help decorate the Christmas tree.

3-xx-1889 Had a job offer of $35 per month. George and I are making a ditch to water our crops. Intend to keep some cattle and horses. Not as good a county for farming as Cass City. Butter is 8 cents, eggs 6 cents a dozen, potatoes $1.00. No girls! They all know me to well!

3-5-1889 I'm tired of cowpunching. We had a fun election for county seat. St. Francis won by a 290 majority.

7-xx-1889 We put up 30 tons of ice. Ice cream every Sunday! Cut 45 acres of alfalfa. I'm thinking of going further west. It's getting too crowded here.

12-xx-1890 Jacqua. I harvested potatoes and got $1.75 a bushel. Corn is 60 cents a bushel. I have 140 head of hogs and 130 head of cattle.

Around 1901, Ben relocated back to Cass City, Michigan, where he owned and operated a general store. In was also reported, in the February 18, 1913 issue of the Cass City Chronicle, that he and P.H. Muck had completed arrangements for the purchase of the stock of general merchandise and the leasing of a store building at Colwood from C.D. Andrews.

Ben closed his store in Cass City in January, 1924. Ben and Minnie summered in Florida, traveling there each year by train. They also built a cottage in Caseville on the lake.

He was active in the affairs of the community of Cass City, with numerous mentions of his activities in the "Local Happenings" column of the Cass City paper. A few of these are shown below:

Cass City Chronicle
December 4, 1908

Notice to Taxpayers

I will be at B. F. Benkelman's store Cass City, to collect the taxes of Elkland township on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

J. A. BENKELMAN, Treas.


Cass City Chronicle
January 19, 1917

B.F. Benkelman was re-elected as secretary to the Cass City Telephone Company.

Cass City Chronicle
Local Happenings
January 26, 1917

B.F. Benkelman, Edward Pinney and M.B. Auten are among the visitors at the auto show at Detroit.

Art Peck wrote, in error, that Ben was a Studebaker dealer until 1928 and that he also he worked for E.B. Schwaderer. It was actually Ben's eldest son, Harold, who was the Studebaker dealer and Schwaderer employee.

Cass City Chronicle
December 24, 1920

All the members of the B.F. Benkelman family will be home for Christmas. Miss Mae, a teacher at Sebewaing came Wednesday; Benj. a student at Ypsilanti, came Thursday; Miss Ruth a teacher at Berwyn, Ill., Friday; and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Benkelman of Sandusky Friday.

Ben Benkelman Senior's obituary appeared in the CASS CITY CHRONICLE on Friday, September 15, 1962:

Final Rites Held for B.F. Benkelman, Sr.

Benjamin F. Benkelman, Sr. 88, last of the family of Adam and Christine (sic) Benkelman, died Sunday in his home following a long period of failing health, just shortly before his 89th birthday. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Douglas Funeral Home. Rev. S.R. Wurtz of Salem Evangelical U.B. Church officiated and burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

Mr. Benkelman was born Sept. 24, 1863, in Bowmansville, N.Y. and came to Michigan at the age of four years with his parents. He was a rancher in Kansas from 1880 to 1901 and operated a general store her from 1901 to 1924.

He retired from business after selling his store. Among his hobbies were traveling with his wife and fishing.

He was a director of the Cass City State Bank for 30 years.

At St. Francis, Kansas, on Dec. 26, 1892, he married Miss Minnie JESSE of Sturgis, Mich., who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. E.T. BALL (Ruth) of Pottersville, New Jersey; Mrs. W.J. CARPENTER (Mae) of Farwell, and Mrs. James PEASE (Lois) of La Grange, Ill.; two sons, Harold and Ben, of Cass City; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

(Research):
Census ListingsL

1900 Census Cheyenne County, Kansas Jacqua Township

#112-#112 Benkelman, Ben Head W M Sep 1868 M 7 yr Born NY, parents born Germany, R&W, Speaks English, Owns Farm, no mortgage
Benkelman, Minnie Wife W F Sept 1875 4 Children all living born MI parents Germany, R&W, Speaks English
Benkelman, Ruth D W F July 1894 Kansas
Benkelman, May D W F May 1896 Kansas
Benkelman, Harold S W M Nov 1897 Kansas
Benkelman, Bengman (sic) S W M Nov 1899 Kansas

1910 Census, Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, ED 113, Cass City Village
Enumerated 13 Apr 1910
SD 8, ED 113, Sheet No 5 B
139-139
Benkelman, Benjamin Hd M W 46 M1 17 NY Germany Germany Retail Merchant Groceries
Benkelman, Mary (sic) Wife F W 44 M1 17 5/5 Kansas Germany Germany
Benkelman, Ruth Dtr F W 15 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Mary Dtr F W 13 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Harold SOn M W 12 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Benjamin F Son M W 10 S Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Lois J Dtr F W 5 Mich NY Kansas
Benkelman, Birtha Niece F W 22 Mich NY Mich Bookkeeper Implement Store

(Medical):Kidney failure, Senility

Benjamin married Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse on 26 Dec 1892 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Wilhelmina (daughter of George W. Jesse and Maria Johanna Elisabeth Klevsaat) was born on 27 Sep 1865 in Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan; died on 18 Jun 1961 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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, July 21, 1911
Local Happenings
Page 4


Misses Bertha Benkelman of this place and Lottie Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, left Saturday morning on a trip to Detroit and Buffalo.

A Mrs. (sic) Lottie Benkelman of Cheyenne County, Kansas was listed, along with 12 others from that county, in the State of Kansas Directory of State Officers, Boards and Commissions, Issued by J. T. Botkin, Kansas Secretary of State on October, 1915. A PDF of this books can be viewed on Google Books.

Cass City Chronicle
September 7, 1917
The Week's Doings, Page 4

Miss Lottie Benkelman, who was a guest of Mrs. M. M. Schwegler, returned Thursday to her home in St. Francis, Kansas.

Lottie didn't marry until later in life. She had remained at home to care for her parents. She married first Farmer L. Shields and later William Maurice Ball, on 25 September 1954 in Denver, Colorado.

As of the 1955 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman broadcast, she was living in Corvallis, Oregon.

Lottie married Farmer L. Shields on 4 Apr 1929 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Farmer was born about 1879 in Iowa; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Pharmacist and had a pharmacy in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to West Coast. The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, reported that "Frank Benkelman of Littleton, Colo. suffered a heart attack last Nov. and still is not able to be about."

A website about the historic Captain Fletcher's Inn (ca. 1865) at the Navarro Beach area of the Navarro River Redwoods State Park states that on March 20, 1931, the Gilmores sold the Inn to Frank B. Benkelman (Mendocino County Official Records, Book 58, pp. 445-446 hereafter Official Records). Frank and his wife, Effie held the property until he died. It was a prosperous period for the Inn. Several local sources say that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent part of their "honeymoon" at the Inn. It is possible that they spent some time at the Inn, after their marriage on March 29, 1939, since Gable liked remote places and enjoyed salmon fishing. According to Lyn Tornabene in her book, Long Live the King (New York: 1976 p. 279), Gable and Lombard spent many days fishing the Rogue River. The Benkelmans also conveyed a portion of the original property to the state of California for purposes of building a highway on May 16, 1940.(Official Records, Bk. 142, p. 266). After her husband's death, Mrs. Benkelman married a second time to Robert Linn, the father of Geneva Linn (Mrs. Frank Ray).


http://www.navarro-by-the-sea-center.org/history5.html


Art Peck also shows him as married to a Dorothy Miller, however it appears that it must have been another Frank Benkelman who married Dorothy Miller,

The following is a brief biography of Nellie Burget Miller, Poet Laureate of Colorado in 1923:
"Nellie Burget grew up in Fayette, Iowa, graduating from high school at the age of fifteen and earning a B.S. from Upper Iowa University in 1894. She married Dr. Lucas A. Miller in 1894 and in 1908 they moved to Colorado Springs. Together they had three children: Dorothy, Arnold, and Muriel Imogene. Dorothy was an accomplished schoolteacher in Denver. DOROTHY [MILLER] AND HUSBAND FRANK BENKELMAN did not have children. Arnold Miller served in World War II and ran a medical practice in Denver. Arnold and his wife Mabel had three children."

Census records, however, show that Nellie Miller's daughter Dorothy was born ca 1901 in Iowa, and at the time of the 1910 and 1920 federal census enumerations, she was still living at home with her parents in Colorado Springs, and was listed as single. By the time of the 1930 census, she was living in Haxtun, Phillips County, Colorado, and boarding in someone's else home. She was listed as single, and as a school teacher.

At the same time that Dorothy Miller is still a single schoolgirl in Colorado Springs (1910), Frank Benjamin Benkelman can be found with his wife Effie in St. Louis, and Frank, Effie and John can be found again in 1930, in California, while Dorothy Miller was a single schoolteacher in Colorado. And as Frank Benjamin Benkelman was said to have remained married to Effie until his death, it could not have been the same Frank Benkelman that married Dorothy Miller.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Missouri, Jackson County, Kansas City
Enumerated 23 Apr 1910
SD 5 ED 38 Sheet 11A Stamped 11
501-132-226
Benkelman, Frank B Hd m W 28 M1 1 Co Germany German Germany German Eng Prescription Clerk Drug
Benkelman, Effie Wf W FW 19 M1 1 0/0 Iowas Iowa Iowa

1920 Census
Not located

1930 Census
California, Santa Clara, San Jose Twp
Enumerated 4 Apr 1930
ED 43-4 SD 10 Sheet 3A Stamped 50
George Steet
131-79-83
Benkelman, Frank B Head R $35 M W 48 M 27 Colo NY Germany Retired
Benkelman, Effie F Wf F W 38 M 18 Mo Ind Iowa
Benkelman, John F Son M W 10 S Mo Colo Mo

Frank married Effie Fay Black before 1910. Effie was born on 6 Aug 1887 in Dallas County, Missouri; died on 7 Oct 1974 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Hertha Kerndt on 15 Jul 1913. Hertha was born on 30 Jul 1889 in Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 30 Apr 1968 in McDonald, Rawlins County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, had note in the "Vacations" section that read: "We are certainly looking forward to meeting Mrs. F.L. Shields of St. Francis, Kansas and Dr. and Mrs. Albert Benkelman and daughters, Barbara and Bonnie at the 1947 reunion. We hope that many more will plan their vacations so they meet with the rest of us at Uncle John's Woods on Labor Day."

Volume 22 of the same periodical, dated September 7, 1959, reported that Albert and Ruth Benkelman attended his Fiftieth graduating class reunion at St. Francis, Kansas. Six of his classmates were present.

A dentist in St. Francis, Kansas, he retired to Denver in 1947.

(Research):Census Listings:

1930 Census
Kansas, Cheyenne County, Wano, St. Francis City
ED 12-18 SD 1 Sheet 10A Stamped 300

79-84
Benkelman, George A Hd O $6000 M W 39 M 27 Kansas NY German
y Physician
Benkelman, Ruth L Wf F W 38 M 26 Kansas Illinois Illinois
Benkelman, Mary B Adopted Dtr F W 3 6/12 S Neb US US
Benkelman, Bonnie J Adopted Dtr F W 2 1/12 S Neb US US
82-8?
Shields, Farmer L Hd O $12,000 M W 51 M21 Iowa Ill Iowa President Commercial Bank
Shiels, Lottie B Wf F W 49 M 48 Colorado NY Germany

George married Ruth May Lockwood on 1 Dec 1917. Ruth was born on 2 Apr 1892 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 13 Jun 1973 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; was buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Cheyenne County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Maggie Battel Bethel writes that her "Mother and Grandma always told the sad story of Sam and Louisa. He died of a horse kick to the head, and Louisa was pregnant with Ben at the time and about to deliver. She took the death of Samuel very, very hard and grieved the little boy. When she had the new baby boy, she felt guilty and could not look him in the face without bursting into tears, so when they would bring the baby to her to nurse, she would cover him with a blanket. This obviously was eventually resolved, but was a family story shared between the mothers in the family."

Notes:

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

Mrs. Charles Gregor of Crieff, Ontario, is visiting her mother, Mrs. Louisa Schwegler, and other relatives and friends here.

In the same column it was noted that Louisa had undergone an operation at Pleasant Home hospital the prior week, and was improving quite rapidly.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1916
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. Louisa Schwegler and Mrs. M. M. Schwegler went to Crieff, Ont., Thursday to spend a few weeks with the former's daughter, Mrs. Charles Gregor.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 28, 1961
Page Four

Mrs. Gregor, 83, Dies in Ontario

Funeral services were to have been held Wednesday at 2 p.m. for Mrs. Laura Gregor, 83, of Puslinch, Ont. Mrs. Gregor died Sunday at her home in Puslinch.

The former Laura Schwegler, she was the wife of Charles Wesley Gregor. The Gregors would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Christmas Day.

Those surviving, besides her husband, are a daughter, Mrs. James (Donelda) McDonald of Puslinch, two sons, Gordon of Hespeler, Ontario and Lincoln of Whitby, Ontario, and a sister, Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN of Decker. The late Ben Schwegler was her brother.

The services were at the Geo. Wall Funeral Home in Guelph and burial was in Crown Cemetery, Puslinch, Ontario.

Laura married Charles Wesley Gregor on 25 Dec 1901 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Charles was born in Aug 1873 in Canada; died on 10 Jun 1964. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Michigan Birth Index instead has his date of birth listed as 30 August 1879.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 30, 1913

Mr. and Mrs. William Schwegler and sons, Andrew and Edward, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Nash jr and daughter, Elizabeth, and Mrs. David Ross spent Sunday at the Ostrander home in Ellington.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that the Schwegler Brothers, William and Benjamin have sold their farms in Elkland township. Ben has bought a home in Cass City, and will shortly move there. Williams expects to join his sons, Andrew and Edward, in Charlotte.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, January 27, 1950
Vol. 44, Num. 40, Page 1

Deceased Lived 65 Years on the Same Farm Where He Was Born

Wm. J. Schwegler, former resident of Elkland Township, died Sunday morning at 11 o'clock int he Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital in Charlotte, Michigan, where he had been a patient nearly one week.

Mr. Schwegler, son of the late Andrew and Louisa Schwegler, was born August 29, 1879, on a farm on the North Schwegler road and lived there until November, 1944, when he and his wife moved to Charlotte after selling their farm to John Zinnecker, the present owner.

On September 3, 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice J. Ross.

While he lived in Elkland Township he served several terms on the school board of the Bird School district and was a member of the Farm Produce Co. board of directors.

During his residence in this vicinity he was a member of the local Evangelical United Brethren Church and served on the church trustee board for 35 years during which time he was president of the board a number of terms. He also served this church in the capacity of Sunday School superintendent, class leader and Sunday School teacher for a number of years.

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Charlotte Methodist Church and the Charlotte Grange.

He leaves to mourn their loss his widow; two sons, Andrew F. and Edward W., both of Charlotte; and two granddaughters, Joann, of Berea, Ohio, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Schwegler, and Kay Ann, baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. (sic) Schwegler; two sisters, Mrs. Chas. Gregore of Puslinch, Ont., and Mrs. Orton Klinkman of Decker; and a brother, Benjamin A. Schwegler of Cass City.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. Ray Gilliam, pastor of the Charlotte Methodist Church, at the Burkland Chapel of Tuesday afternoon. Interment was in Maple Hill cemetery, Charlotte.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 19 and 20 April 1910 by John A. Benkelman
SD 8 ED 112 Sheet 2A
27-29
Schwegler, Benj. Hd M W 24 S Mich Germany NY Farmer
Schwegler, Louisa Mother F W 57 Wd 6/5 NY Germany Germany Own Income
Schwegler, Catherine Sister F w 17 S Mich Germany NY
28-29
Schwegler, William J Hd M W 30 M1 Mich Germany NY
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 26 M1 1/1 Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic
Schwegler, Andrew Son M W 2/12 S Mich Mich Canada/Gaelic
Crocker, Henry Hired Man M W 26 S Mich Ohio Germany Laborer Farm

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 15 and 16 Jan 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 3A Stamped 99
61-64
Schwegler, William Head m W 40 M Mich Germany/German NY/German Farmer
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 35 M 1890 Na 1905 Candad English Scotland English Canada English
Schwegler, Andrew Son m W 9 S Mich Mich Canada/English
Schwegler, Edward Son M W 8 S Mich Mich Canada/English
62-65
Schwegler, Benjamin head m W 33 M Mich Germany/German NY/German
Schwegler, Magdlene Wf F W27 M Mich Canada/English Mich/English
Schwegler, Mildred Dtr F W 3 2/12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory Dtr F W 1 8/12 S Mich Mich Mich

William married Alice J. Ross on 3 Sep 1908 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Alice was born on 18 Jan 1884 in Canada; died on 15 Jul 1964 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The October 3, 1924 issue of The Cass City Chronicle, page 4, column 4, noted in Local Items that "Mrs. Benjamin Schwegler and Mrs. Fred Jaus entertained a number of relatives and friends at the home of the latter Wednesday evening in honor of their niece, Miss Donelda Gregor of Puslinch, Ont., who was visting...the time was passed pleasantly in vocal and instrumental music and games after which refreshments, including a weenie roast, were served." In the August 26, 1927 issue of the same paper, also in Local Items, it was noted that "Miss Laura Jaus returned Wednesday evening from a ten-day visit with her Aunt at Puslinch, Canada. Her cousin, Miss Donelda Gregor, returned with her and will spend a few weeks with relatives here."

Cass City Chronicle
Volume 28, Numbe 30
Friday, November 3, 1933

Sudden Death of Mrs. Fred Jaus
The community was shocked Thursday morning by the news of the death of Mrs. Fred Jaus at her home on East Main St. Mr. Jaus suffered a paralytic stroke directly after arising yesterday morning and passed away four hours later. She had been in her usual health. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday afternoon at two o'clock at the family residence by Rev. G.A. Spitler, pastor of the Evangelical church, and interment will be made in Elkland cemetery.

Mary married Frederick W. Jaus on 25 Jan 1905 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Frederick (son of Johann Georg Jaus and Christina Benkelman) was born on 3 Nov 1881 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 15 Oct 1984 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1910 Census, Benjamin was the head of household in a home consisting of himself, his widowed mother, and his younger sister, Catherine.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that the Schwegler Brothers, William and Benjamin have sold their farms in Elkland township. Ben has bought a home in Cass City, and will shortly move there. Williams expects to join his sons, Andrew and Edward, in Charlotte.


Cass City Chronicle
June 1, 1961
Greenleaf

Mrs. Arthur Battel's father, Benjamin, passed away Saturday evening, after a long illness.

Cass City Chronicle
June 8, 1961
Page 6

Schwegler Services Held Here May 31

Funeral services for Benjamin A. Schwegler, 75, were held May 31 in the Douglas Funeral Home, Rev. S. R. Wurtz, pastor of Salem Evangelical UB Church of which Mr. Schwegler was a member for many years, officiated and burial was in Elkland cemetery. Mr. Schwegler, in poor health for sometime, died in his home on Pine Street May 27.

Son of the late Andrew and Louisa Schwegler, he was born in Elkland township February 14, 1886. He married Miss Lena Mark at Cass City May 11, 1915. Seventeen years ago Mr. Schwegler retired from farming and they moved into Cass City.

Survivors are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. J. F. KLEIN (Mildred) of Port Huron, Mrs. Arthur BATTEL (Marjorie) of Cass City and Mrs. P.E. HOWE (Fern) of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Charles GREGOR of Ontario and Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN of Decker.

Relatives and friends who came to attend the funeral included: Mrs. James McDONALD of Puslinch, Ont., and Douglas McDONALD of Hamilton, Ont.; Mrs. Williams SCHWEGLER of Charlottte; Mrs. Edward SCHWEGLER and daughter Kay Ann of Coopersville; Andrew SCHWEGLER of Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Owen DARLING; Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN, Charles KLINKMAN and James DARLING of Decker; Mr. and Mrs. Donald DALE and Mr. and Mrs. Roy AGAR of Marlette; Mr. and Mrs. Don DARLING of Kingston; Mr. and Mrs. Archie MARK of Flushing; Mrs. G. F. LENZNER and Mrs. Clarence LACKOWSKI of Bad Axe, and Mrs. Roy E. TAYLOR of Bay City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 15 and 16 Jan 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 3A Stamped 99
61-64
Schwegler, William Head m W 40 M Mich Germany/German NY/German Farmer
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 35 M 1890 Na 1905 Candad English Scotland English Canada English
Schwegler, Andrew Son m W 9 S Mich Mich Canada/English
Schwegler, Edward Son M W 8 S Mich Mich Canada/English
62-65
Schwegler, Benjamin head m W 33 M Mich Germany/German NY/German
Schwegler, Magdlene Wf F W27 M Mich Canada/English Mich/English
Schwegler, Mildred Dtr F W 3 2/12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory Dtr F W 1 8/12 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 79-12 SD 11 Sheets 6B and 7A
143-143
Schwegler, Benjamin Head M W 44 m 29 Mich Germany NY Farmer Gen Farm
Schwegler, Lena Wf F W 38 M 23 Mich Canada English Mich
Schwegler, Mildred M Dtr F W 12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory M Dtr F W 11 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Alma F Dtr F W 8 S Mich Mich Mich

Benjamin married Joanna Magdalena "Lena" Mark on 11 May 1915 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Joanna (daughter of Archibald "Archie" Mark and Emeline Striffler) was born on 27 Feb 1892 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 24 Jun 1983 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
April 26, 1962

Final Services Held for Mrs. Klinkman

Final services were held Tuesday at the Decker Methodist Church for Mrs. Catherine Klinkman, 68, Lamotte township. Mrs. Klinkman died Saturday, April 21, at the Marlette Community Hospital after a brief illness.

Born Jun 8, 1833 (sic), in Cass City, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew SCHWEGLER.

She married Orton Klinkman on March 11, 1914 in Caro. The couple moved to a farm southeast of Decker. Mr. Klinkman died October 12, 1961.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Roy AGAR, and Mrs. Donald DALE, both of Marlette, and Mrs. Vyron BEUTLER, Pontiac, and two sons, Wilfred Klinkman, Smiths Creek, Michigan, and Charles Klinkman, Decker. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren.

Rev. Joseph Shaw, Decker Methodist Church, and Rev. Lester Nelson, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Kingston, officiated at the services. Interment was in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.

Catherine married Orton Thomas Klinkman on 11 Mar 1914 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan. Orton (son of Otto C. Klinkman and Maggie May Hutchinson) was born on 10 Feb 1887 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York; died on 12 Sep 1961 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 15 Sep 1961 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Glen Frederick Benkelman received his B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University in 1914.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 31, 1976
Page One

Train-car crash fatal for Glen Benkelmans

Glen F. Benkelman, 80, a brother of Dorus Benkelman of Cass City, and his wife, Maud, 80, were fatally injured in a train-car crash and died Saturday, December 26, at Lakewood, Ohio.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 29, at the Lakewood Presbyterian Church in Lakewood where the Benkelmans were members.

Burial will be in Elkland township cemetery, Wednesday, December 30.

Among the survivors are: a daughter, Mrs. Ruth SIMMELINK of Cleveland; a son, William, of Lakewood; a brother of Mrs. Benkelman who lives in Detroit, and of Mr. Benkelman, a sister, Marie BROWN of Pigeon; two brothers, Dorus, of Cass City, and Alvin, of Elk Creek, Virginia.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland City
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 18-276 SD 6 Sheet 23A Stamed 233
3813-19-29
Benkelman, Glen Head m W 39 M 30 Mich Mich Iowa Engineer Structural, Carbon Plant
Benkelman, Maud Wf F W 38 M 29 EnglishCanada EnglishCanada EnglishCanada
Benkelman, Glen Son M W 6 S Ohio Mich EnglishCanada
Benkelman, Ruth Dtr F W 4 S Ohio Mich EnglishCanada
McFadden, Sarah Mother-in-law F W 70 Wd CanadaEnglish CanadaEnglish CanadaEnglish

Glen married Maud McFadden on 18 Jun 1921 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. Maud was born on 9 Nov 1891 in Brockville, Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada; died on 26 Dec 1970 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 16, 1957

Re-elect officers at Farm Produce

Annual meeting of the stockholders of Farm Produce was held. The following officers were re-elected for another year: Joe Crawford, President, Audley Rawon, Vice President, D.W. Benkelman, Treasurer, and C.J. Striffler, Secretary.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, February 22, 1973

Services held for Dorus Benkelman

Dorus Benkelman, 80, of Cass City died Wednesday, February 14, in Hills and Dale General Hospital.

A lifelong area resident, he was born in Cass City December 6, 1893, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Benkelman.

Mr. Benkelman and Miss Jane STICKLEY were married November 2, 1943, in Detroit and the couple made their home in Cass City. She died April 7, 1960.

A retired banker, he was a member of Tyler Lodge No. 317 F&AM, the American Legion Post No. 507 and was a member of Salem United Methodist Church. He served with the Army in World War I.

Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Marie BROWN of Pigeon, and one brother, Alvin BENKELMAN of Elk Creek, Virginia, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday evening at Little's Funeral Home under the auspices of Tyler Lodge. Funeral services were held at the funeral home Saturday morning with the Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem church officiating. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

Dorus married Hilda Jane Stickley on 2 Nov 1943 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Hilda was born on 21 May 1892 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada; died on 7 Apr 1960 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
Cass City, Mich., April 11, 1919
Page Four
Around Our Town
Alvin Benkelman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Benkelman and a U. of M. student, is enjoying his vacation here at the home of his parents.

His daughter, Anne Scott Benkelman Pritchard wrote, on Veteran's Day 2011, "My dad, Alvin Carlton Benkelman, was born in 1895 and served in WWI; he liked to say "where the bullets were the thickest" - loading munitions on ships in New Jersey.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 27, 1954
Vol 49, Number 18
Page 1

Invention Lauded by Experts
New Benkelman Beam Measures Deflection

Alvin C. Benkelman, brother of Dorus Benkelman of Cass City, has been lauded by road engineers in the United States for developing an instrument called the "Benkelman Beam" for the measuring of elastic pavement deflections. Deflection of a pavement is the amount the pavement gives under road pressure. Although many devices have been invented to measure deflection, the "Benkelman Beam" is the first really simple device for the highway work, according to engineer Benkelman.

In the past, the best method was an electronic method which required a great deal of expensive equipment and a considerable amount of time and effort for each installation. Only a limited number of installations were possible in any one area. Another disadvantage of this method was that the road surface had to be disturbed to install the equipment. While on duty as a consultant engineer with the Bureau of Public Roads on the WASHO test road in Idaho in 1953, Mr. Benkelman developed the deflection measuring device which bears his name. Because of the speed with which Mr. Benkelman's device is operated, the WASHO test personnel was able to make approximately 40,00ft individual deflection readings. An example of the increased speed of the "Benkelman Beam" is reported by the California Highway Department. They used the beam to study pavement which had received severe "longitudinal and transverse" cracking. The beam was used to determine its operational characteristics and to supply experience on the best methods of using it. The results were outstanding. A complete survey of the road was completed in one day, excluding traveling time. Over 40 different sections were tested along the road. The California road commission estimates that the same work done by the electronic method would have taken 10 days. Mr. Benkelman and his wife and daughter, Ann Scott, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Dorus Benkelman. They stopped in Cass City on their way home to Alexandria, Val, from Idaho.

The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Vol 22 dated September 7, 1959, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Benkelman of Ottowa, Illinois and daughter Ann Scott attended the Blaufuss family reunion in Davenport, Iowa.

Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 4, 1967 reported that Alvin, a 1917 engineering graduate of the University of Michigan, was honored with the University's Sesquicentennial Award at the annual Asphalt Institute meeting at the University on August 9, 1967.

Memorial Service for A. C. Benkelman Sep. 13, 1987

There was a man, born in 1774, who journeyed westward planting or selling seedlings from Pennsylvania to Ohio and beyond. He was a natural man, cheerful, generous in nature, and had an affinity for the wilderness. He supplied frontiersman with apple orchard stock throughout the Midwest. His name, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. There was another man who retired in the Elk Creek community in 1967 with a strange sounding name. He was born in Michigan in 1895, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemical Engineering. From 1919 to 1928 he worked for the Illinois Highway Department where he was soil engineer on the Bates Road Test. From 1928 to 1934 he worked for the Michigan Highway Department as research engineer on soils, fast actions, and pavement. From 1934 to 1954 he worked for the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads in charge of structural design of flexible pavement. In 1956 he was on the staff of Highway Research Board. He is well known throughout the highway construction trade for his invention of a economical portable device to measure deflections of pavement under heavy loads which to this day carries his name. His name, Alvin C. Benkelman, better known as "Benk". The device that he invented is called the Benkelman Beam. I compare Benk with Johnny Appleseed because they both left their mark. Benk, too, was outgoing, was young at heart, loved people and the out-of-doors. He established a flourishing pine tree farm, and was a member of the American Tree Farmers Association. He couldn't do enough for others. Most think that Benk was lured to the area by his wife, Olive, a native of Elk Creek, but there must have been a yearning or spark that had been smoldering since the days of his youth when, as a young man in a glee club, he learned "In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia", which became one of his favorite pieces. His first trip to this area was at the time of the First World War when he accompanied the body of a dead soldier to Galax, Virginia. He liked it then and vowed to return. Benk had two children, a son and daughter. It is rare when a son gets to choose his step-mother, but Alvin Jr., whose mother had died, introduced his vivacious teacher, Miss Scott, to his widowed father. Matrimony ensued and it was a joyous occasion when "Scotty" was born. Benk and Olive had been making plans for their retirement for many years. They had already negotiated the purchase of the property that is referred to as "The Falls" which at the time was a dump. Where others may have seen trash, Benk saw jewels. One of his first projects was to clean up that unsightly piece of property, build a cabin, and landscape the grounds to show off the falls. It was since become a show place and a haven for many a guest. He attacked the homeplace, "Flag Pond" with the same vigor and vitality, restoring an already existing house and out buildings, into their permanent dwelling. I remember my first visit to their home and how cordial they were and willing to show off their home. Benk was especially proud of the spring that had been walled up and flowed through the end of their entrance way. I was impressed by how low the ceilings seemed, but for someone five feet two, they were high enough. Because I was taller was my fault, not his. The lawns were always neatly mowed and trimmed, Benk doing the work or supervising. One of the log houses in the rear was converted into a wood working showroom which became his hobby. It was not unusual to find him working in his shop in the dead of winter by the warmth of a wood stove. Because of his love of trees, it was only natural that he developed his hobby for working with wood. Every kind of wood was a new challenge. Some he liked better than others, but I've never seen anyone able to make a piece of wood shine without any finish as Benk could. There is hardly a kitchen in the community that doesn't have the little recipe holder that he fashioned with a clothes pin. He made letter holders, lamps, music boxes, jewelry boxes, key boards, cribbage boards cut out in the shape of a state, boot jacks, and even a grandfather clock, to list but a few, and do you know, he gave these away freely to his friends, often accompanied by an original verse by his wife. You could never come away from his house empty handed. If it wasn't something that he had made, it was something that he had grown out of his bountiful garden. He flourished on generosity.

( The above are excerpts from Dr. Palmer Fant's memorial address, courtesy of Alvin C. Benkelman, Jr.)

His obituary was published in the October 7, 1987 Cass City Chronicle.

Alvin Benkelman

Funeral services were held last month for former Cass City resident, Alvin C. Benkelman, who died Sept. 9 in Elk Creek, VA. Born May 8, 1895 in Cass City, Benkelman was a well known civil engineer in the design of flexible pavement. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1919 with a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering and began his professional careert as a pavement and soils engineer with the Illinois Division of Highways, serving on the Bates Road Test. He then became associated with the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads and did research at Purdue University and on the Virginia Demonstration Road in 1926-28. Benkelman continued to work in research and design of flexible pavement with the Michigan State Highway Department in 1928. Returning to the bureau in 1934, Benkelman was in charge of research for the Hybla Valley Test Track and on the WASHO Road Test in Idaho. His work as Research Engineer on the AASHO Road Test in Illinois brought him in contact with engineers from all over the world who gathered to learn of road construction and durability. Benkelman is well known for his invention of the "Benkelman Beam: which is widely used in highway construction to measure pavement deflections. After retirement from the Bureau of Public Roads, he traveled extensively as a consultant for the Asphalt Institute. Benkelman was awarded the Highway Research Board's Roy W. Crum Distinguished Service award in recognition of his work in the field of highway research. In 1967 he retired to the Elk Creek Valley where he became a member of the American Tree Farmer's Association. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed living in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife, Olive S. BENKELMAN; one son, A.C. Benkelman, Jr. of Warrenton, VA; one daughter, Mrs. Ann Scott (Benkelman) PRICHARD Jr. of Sacramento, Ca.; one sister, Marie BROWN of Saginaw; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)



(Research):He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Alvin married Katherine Lynn Ayres on 5 Nov 1927 in Sudley, Prince William County, Virginia. Katherine was born on 14 Jan 1901 in Sudley, Prince William County, Virginia; died on 27 Oct 1940 in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alvin married Olive Porter Scott on 1 Jun 1944 in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. Olive (daughter of Dr. William Worley Scott and Alice May Delp) was born on 18 Dec 1907 in Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia; died on 23 Oct 1996 in Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She lived with her daughter Doris Ruth (sic), at the time of her death.

Marie married James Brown in Apr 1926 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan. James was born on 4 Jul 1900 in Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan; died on 6 Aug 1952 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan; was buried in Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 2, 1915
Local Items
Page Four

Miss Ida Benkelman, eleven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Benkelman, who has been ill with blood poisoning was taken to the hospital Sunday. She underwent an operation Monday and although still very seriously ill her condition is slightly more hopeful. Glen Benkelman of Wilkinsburg, Pa. and Dorus Benkelman of Mackinac Island, were called home by the illness of their sister.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday July 9, 1915
Local Items
Page Four

Miss Ida Benkelman is still very seriously ill at the hospital.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday July 16, 1915

Ida Benkelman
Young Girl, Suffering from Blood Poisoning, Died Sunday Evening

Ida Catherine, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Benkelman, died in a local hospital Sunday evening after several weeks of patient suffering from blood poisoning.

No one can explain why a young girl such as Ida was called from this life at twelve. She was the light of a good company of relatives and friends, and bright, happy and cheerful, she carried sunshine wherever she went. Not only in her home, but in the public and the Sabbath schools, where she was a regular and faithful attendant, will she be greatly missed.

Death is a hard master. He would take the brightest and best, but he cannot even mar memory. It will serve as a balm to wounded hearts.

Funeral services were held at the residence on Seeger Street Wednesday afternoon, Rev. D. J. Feather officiating. Interment was made in Elkland cemetery. Besides the parents, there are left to mourn four brothers, Glen of Wilkinsburg, Pa., Dorus of Mackinac Island and Alvin and John, and one sister, Marie.

John married Jean Elizabeth Grant on 11 Jul 1938. Jean was born on 5 Apr 1910 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada; died on 12 Apr 2006 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 21, 1911
Local Happenings
Page 4


Misses Bertha Benkelman of this place and Lottie Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, left Saturday morning on a trip to Detroit and Buffalo.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 24, 1929
Obituaries

Mrs. Bruce Williams

The remains of Mrs. Bruce Williams were brought from her home in Almena, Kansas to Cass City, arriving heer Sunday morning. Funeral services were conducted in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel G. Benkelman, on Third street, by Rev. Geo. Hill, pastor of the M.E. church on Monday afternoon. Interment was made in Elkland cemetery.

Bertha Benkelman was born in Cass City on August 1, 1883, and graduated from Cass City High School with the class of 1900. She was employed as a compositor in the plant of the Cass City Chronicle for several years and later entered the employ of the Herald at St. Francis, Kansas. On her return to Cass City from Kansas, she was employed as bookkeeper in the implement store of J. A. Caldwell.

On December 11, 1912, Miss Bertha Williams was united in marriage with Bruce Williams. While Mr.Williams was employed as a railway mail clerk on the Rock Island R.R. they made their home at Republic and Omaha, Nebraska. About seven years ago, they moved to Almena, Kansas, where they devoted their attention to the interests on their large farm there. Mrs. Williams had been ill about eight months previous to her death on Thursday, May 16. Death was due to cancer. Funeral services at Almena were held at the M.E. church Friday afternoon. Besides her parents she is survived by two brothers, Joseph and Ward Benkelman, both of Cass City.

Mrs. Williams was a member of the M.E. church at Almena and was affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Her cheerful helpful life will linger long as a fragrant memory with the large number she won as friends.

(Research):
Census Information

At the time of the 1910 Michigan Census, she was living with Benjamin Benkelman, Sr, her Uncle, in Tuscola County.

1920 Census
Nebraska, Douglas County, Omaha, Ward 10
Enumerated 10 Jan 1920
SD 2, ED 113, Sheet 5A
620-87-105
Williams, Edwin B Hd M W 41 M Pa Pa Mo Mail Clerk Railway
Williams, Bertha C Wf F W 36 M Mich NY Mich

1930 Census
Edwin B. Williams, 51 and widowed, was shown as being born in Pennsylvania, with his father also being born in that state and his mother in Missouri. He was living alone, in Almena, Norton County, Kansas (ED 69-3, SD 1, Sheet 8A, stamped 15).

Bertha married Edwin Bruce Williams on 11 Dec 1912 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Edwin was born on 29 Jul 1878 in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; died on 11 Jan 1963; was buried in Almena, Norton County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
January 8, 1909
Local Items, Page 4

Ernest Schwader, Joseph Benkelman, Philip Much and Herbert Wood returned to college at Lansing Monday after spending several days at their parental homes here.


Cass City Chronicle
October 6, 1933
Local Happenings, Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman and William Ackerman spend Sunday afternoon at the Adolph Wahl home near Bad Axe.

Cass City Chronicle
January 21, 1949
Local News, Page 4

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman visited with Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL near Bad Axe Sunday afternoon.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 20, 1968
Page Four

Benkelman rites held Friday

Joseph Benkelman, lifelong resident of this area, died Tuesday, June 11, at Hills and Dale General Hospital. Mr. Benkelman, retired farmer, was 78.

He had been a patient at Hills and Dale for one day.

Mr. Benkelman was born October 5, 1889 in Elkland Township. He and Miss Esther Ackerman were married June 10, 1911 in Cass City.

Survivors are his widow and a brother, Ward, of Cass City.

Services were conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, by Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church, and Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, retired pastor. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Joseph married Esther Selma Ackerman on 10 Jun 1911 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Esther (daughter of William Akerman and Marie Wittwer) was born on 12 Feb 1888 in Minden City, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 9 Feb 1980 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, February 8, 1989
Cass City Michigan
Page Four

Ward Benkelman

Ward William Benkelman, 94, lifelong resident of Cass City, died Friday, Feb. 3, at Hills and Dales General Hospital after a short illness.

He was born Feb. 15, 1894, in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, as son of Samuel and Mary (Striffler) Benkelman.

He married Miss Anna STEINMAN Dec. 8, 1925, in Cass City. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City, and had served in World War I with the United States Army.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Clare Patton, pastor the Salem United Methodist church, officiating.

Interment was in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Ward married Anna Steinman on 8 Dec 1925 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Anna was born on 8 Sep 1899 in Chandler Township, Huron County, Michigan; died on 20 Feb 1996 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Art Peck instead shows her date of death as March 1, 1961.

Frances married Edwin Stuart Symington on 17 Jan 1921. Edwin was born on 4 Jul 1888 in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Helen married Willard Bigelow McKenna on 30 Oct 1916. Willard (son of John McKenna and Frances Bigelow) was born on 16 Apr 1897 in Shepherd, Isabella County, Michigan; died on 25 Nov 1950 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio; was buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, reported that John started a new agency, Orchestra House, Inc. in 1947. In Volume 16 of the same periodical it was reported that he had been acting in Commercial pictures for Jam Handy and Wilding Productions in addition to continuing his entertainment agency and speech classes in Detroit.

Billboard magazine
December 24, 1949
Page 39
Music-As Written

Detroit:

Jack Benkelman, partner in Orchetra House, Detroit booking office, has written the lyrics for "Harvest Hoedown," musical version of "Apple of his Eye." Benkelman expects to have some of the numbers interpolated in the Detroit Civic Light Opera season under the direction of Barrie O'Daniels, opening Christmas day.

BonnieMargaret Jacobs referred to him as "Detroit John (Jack)." He was one the family members she personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Notes:

Attended college at Mt. Pleasant Normal (now Central Michigan) and was a teacher. Met her husband at a church social in Berwyn, Illinois.

Volume 25 of the STIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 6, 1965, reported that "Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Ball (Ruth Benkelman) and Mrs. Wilmot Carpenter (Mae Benkelman) entertained Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Smiley (Margaret Striffler) and Mr. and Mrs. Amos Weaver (Laura Striffler) at their trailers in Pinellas Park, Florida, last winter. This is an annual event for them.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 15, 1972
Page Thirteen

Hold Rites in Florida for Mrs. Ruth Ball

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 3, for Mrs. Ruth Ball, 77, or Clearwater, Fla., who died the previous week. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Clearwater.

She was born in St. Francis, Kansas, to the late Ben F. and Minnie Benkelman, Sr. She spent her childhood in Cass City until her marriage to Eustis (sic) T. BALL.

Surviving are her husband, a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy WILLIAMS of Palm Beach, Fla.; two brothers, Harold L. of Caseville and Ben F. Jr. of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Mae CARPENTER of Clearwater and Mrs. Lois PEASE of La Grange, Ill., also three grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth married Eustace Thwaites Ball on 26 Jul 1924 in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois. Eustace was born on 13 Nov 1899 in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England; died on 21 May 1989 in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also was a teacher, attending Mt. Pleasant Normal.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., April 11, 1919
Page Four
Around Our Town
Miss Mae Benkelman, daughter of B.F. Benkelman and a teacher in the Sebewaing schools, is spending her Easter vacation here this week.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
January 6, 1926

Miss Mae Benkelman returned to Flint on Sunday after spending the past two weeks at her home here.

Florence married Wilmot John "Bill" Carpenter on 1 May 1926 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. Wilmot was born on 1 Jul 1891 in Ballantree, Whiteship Township, York, Ontario, Canada; died on 16 Jun 1961 in Farwell, Clare County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Florence married Eustace Thwaites Ball on 13 Jan 1973 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. Eustace was born on 13 Nov 1899 in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England; died on 21 May 1989 in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ben Benkelman reported that after seing a production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, his brother, Harold, was nicknamed "Sime" by his siblings, who considered him as mean as Simon Legree. The January 17, 1908 Cass City Chronicle had a brief mention of the upcoming "Mason Brother's Uncle Tom's Cabin company at the Opera House," most likely this was the production that inspired Sime's lifelong nickname. Harold would have been around age 11 at the time. He played basketball in High School.

Bob Benkelman wrote that his father was drafted into the army signal corps, where he worked as an airplane mechanic, and was stationed at Rockwell Field near San Diego. According to Wikipedia, the Signal Corps Aviation School was named Rockwell Field, on July 20, 1917, in honor of Second Lt. Lewis C. Rockwell, killed in a crash at College Park in 1912. Also in July, the United States Congress authorized the President to proceed with the taking of North Island for Army and Navy aviation schools. There was a need for trained military pilots as the United States had entered World War I earlier in the year. President Woodrow Wilson signed an Executive Order in August 1917 for condemnation of the land, which was still privately owned. The Army turned over the north end of the island to the Navy and relocated to the south end of North Island, the location of the Rockwell Field Historic District. The Navy's first occupancy of North Island occurred on September 8, 1917, but Congress did not authorize the purchase of North Island, for $6,098,333, until July 1919. The Army selected well-known Detroit industrial architect, Albert Kahn, to develop a site and building designs. Permanent construction of Kahn's design began in mid-1918. During World War I, Rockwell Field provided training for many of the pilots and crews sent to France. It also was the source of men and aircraft for the Sixth and Seventh Aero Squadrons, which established the first military aviation presence in Hawaii and the Panama Canal Zone, respectively.

After his military service, Sime was a Studebaker dealer, and later worked for E.B. Schwaderer, a contractor who built highways throughout the state, and constructed airports all over the midwest during World War II. Before retirement, Harold, worked as head of maintenance of all of the road equipment for the Tuscola County Road Commission.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 24, 1933
Local Happenings
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Benkelman and Mrs. Curtis Hung spent a few days last week hunting at Fairview.

The 1941 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast showed that Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Benkelman and sons had spent the winter holidays in Florida.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, April 16, 1981

Benkelman Funeral Held

Harold Leroy (Sime) Benkelman, 83, of Cass City died Wednesday, April 8, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac.

He was born Nov. 27, 1897, in St. Francis, Kansas, the son of Benjamin F. and Minnie (Jesse) Benkelman. He returned to Cass City as a small child with his parents. They made their home on the family homestead farm.

He married Isabel Fletcher Sept. 14, 1918 in Detroit. Following their marriage, they made their home in Sandusky where he was an auto dealer. They later lived in Cass City, where he was employed as equipment supervisor by the E.B. Schwaderer Construction Company and then Tuscola County Road Commission until his retirement.

He servied with the Army Air Corps during World War I. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist church of Cass City and a life member of Custer Lodge No. 393, F and AM, Sandusky.

Benkelman is survived by his wife; two sons, Bill Benkelman of Bloomfield Hills and Robert Benkelman of Caro; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren; one brother, Benjamin Benkelman of Clearwater, Fla. (sic) and two sisters, Mrs. Eustis Ball of Clearwater, and Mrs. Lois Pease of Pompano Beach, Fla. One sister, Ruth, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Eldred Kelley of the Salem United Methodist church officiating.

Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Harold married Isabel Lizzie Fletcher on 14 Sep 1918 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Isabel (daughter of Archibald Fletcher and Isabelle Patterson) was born on 25 Oct 1895 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan; died on 3 Nov 1993 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr. was born in 1899 in a sod hut on the JC Ranch in Jacqua, Kansas. His father, Ben, Sr., had moved to Kansas from Michigan to work for his Uncle at the ranch, and had spent nearly 20 years working as a cowboy. Ben and his three older brothers and sisters were all born on the ranch. In 1901, the family relocated back to Cass City, Michigan, where they purchased a general merchandise store. Ben remembers working at the store as soon as he was old enough to see over the counter. They sold dry goods, groceries, shoes, and crockeries. Ben recalled that the customers just pointed out what they wanted, and it was the clerks job to go gather everything. "We really worked in those days" he said. He remembers making deliveries in a red coaster wagon or by horse and buggy. The horse was named Topsy. Ben said he was the only one of the children who helped his parent's in their store. His other brothers and sisters didn't want to have anything to do with it.

In High School Ben was a star athlete. He was on the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams--four years each, earning a total of 16 letters. He even set several state track records. He graduated from High School during World War I. Fortunately, the war ended a only a few weeks before he was to report for military duty. He went to Kalamazoo College on a football scholarship. His team were the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (MIAA) in 1919. The MIAA is the Nation's Oldest Collegiate Conference.

Ben recalls that one of the games he played was against "the Gipper," who played at the University of Notre Dame. Born in 1895, George Gipp was a varsity athlete at Notre Dame from 1917 to 1920. While planning to pursue a career in baseball, he was convinced by legendary college coach Knute Rockne to play football as well. He led the Fighting Irish to a 27-2-3 record, playing both offense and defense. Several of his records still stand today. Gipp caught a throat infection during one of his final football games at Notre Dame. He died a few weeks later at the age of 25. Just before his death, he told Coach Rockne, "Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys - tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

After a year of college, Ben returned to Cass City to help his parents with the store. He later went to work at the Nestle plant in Cass City. Nestles food had purchased the plant from Hires Milk company around 1922. This plant had been producing "sweetened" condensed milk in Cass City since 1917, employing from 50-100 persons with most of their output being exported. The plant had been established at the urging of a group of local businessmen whose objective was to encourage and secure a milk processing plant to give the local farmers, almost all who had a small dairy herd, an easier way to dispose of their milk.

While working in Cass City, Ben was on the "Ward's Independents" Basketball Team and they were 'Thumb Champions, Michigan' for the 1921-1922 season.

A mutual friend set Ben up on a blind date with Avis Smith, a schoolteacher in a nearby town. This was in 1924. When he arrived to the boarding house to pick her up, she peeked over the balcony to check him out. She had made arrangements with a friend to watch for her signal. If Ben didn't pass muster, the friend was to inform him Avis was sick in bed. He passed with flying colors, however, and they drove nearly 20 miles for Chinese food.

Around this same time, Ben enrolled in a dental technician's program in Chicago. He worked his way through school as a waiter at "Child's One Arm Restaurant." The restaurant was named for the tables the diner's each sat at, similar to old fashioned school desks.

The following article about his studies appeared in the January 8, 1926 issue of the Cass City Chronicle "Ben Benkelman, jr., has completed his studies at the McCarrie School of Mechanical Dentistry at Chicago and is now assisting Dr. P.A. Schenck in the latter's dental parlors where he is gaining practical experience in his chosen work."

Ben and Avis were married in August, 1926. Seven years later, on December 8, 1933, their only child, Bonnie, was born.

Despite being born in the midst of the depression, Bonnie remembers an idyllic childhood. By lucky accident, her father withdrew their life savings from the bank the day before the great bank crash. He took out their savings to buy a winter coat and chair. When he returned to redeposit the balance, the banks had all closed. Ben remained steadily employed, running the dental lab for Dr. Pearl Schenck and then Dr. D.E. Rawson. He was employed by them for 42 years. The Benkelman's owned a house in Cass City, and a cabin in Caseville, on Lake Huron. Ben served on the village council for 11 years, and was twice village president (Mayor). He was never too busy for his daughter though. Bonnie remembers her father helping her, along with half the football team, with their math homework throughout high school.

He was a charter member of the Cass City Gavel Club, and Past Master and Life Member of the Tyler F&AM lodge.

When Ben was in his thirties, he went on a strict diet due to problems with his gallbladder. He abstained from sugar and fat for nearly 30 years. This, and his love of sports, probably contributed to his longetivity. He was able to play golf into his late eighties, and walked every morning and evening until he was nearly 96.

Volume 26 of the STIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published on September 5, 1966, reported that Ben retired "after 40 years as a Dental Technician. He and Avis were going to spend the winter in Houston, Texas with their daughter and family."

When the McLemore's were transferred back to Chicago, Ben and Avis moved onto St. Petersburg, Florida. They lived in a retirement community. They were to fulfill a dream when the visited Hawaii for their 50 wedding anniversary. They also enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise together. Ben had surgery for both kidney cancer and prostate cancer, both of which never reocurred. Avis died in 1981, and Ben lived in Florida for seven more years. After he suffered several minor strokes, he decided to move back to Houston, where the McLemore's had returned. This was around 1988. He lived in a retirement community on his own for several more years.

Ben's biggest fear was that his mind would deteriorate before his body, and sadly this came to pass. Around 1994, suffering from senile dementia and Alzheimer's, Ben moved into his daughter's home. Here he was to live until he died from complications from pneumonia in early 1998. His daughter, Bonnie, and granddaughters, Melinda and Leigh were at his bedside when he died.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically.

He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

(Medical):Cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, Alzheimers disease, kidney and prostate cancer in remission

Benjamin married Avis Augusta Smith on 24 Aug 1926 in Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan. Avis (daughter of William Bertis Smith and Ida Alice Elliott) was born on 4 Apr 1901 in Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan; died on 7 Nov 1981 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, March 15, 1989
Page Twelve
Obituaries

Lois Pease

Mrs. Lois Pease, 84, of Hinsdale, Ill., formerly of Cass City, died Thursday, March 9, at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She was born Jan 18, 1905, the daughter of Benjamin and Wilhamena Jesse Benkelman Sr. She married James Pease, who died in 1979.

Surviving are a brother, Benjamin F. Benkelman, Jr. of Houston, Texas, a sister, Mrs. Mae Ball of Largo, Fla., 2 nephews and 2 nieces. One brother, Harold, and one sister, Ruth, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were scheduled today (Wednesday) at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Clare Patton, pastor of the Salem United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment was to be in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer, 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Michigan, Muskegon County, Ravenna Village
Enumerated April 3, 1930 by Norman L. Kyle
ED 61-44 SD 5 Sheet 1B

28-29
Pease, James E. Hd M W 28 M 23 Mich Mich Mich Teacher
Pease, Lois J Wf F W 25 M 19 Mich NY Mich Teacher
Pease, Dudley A Brother M W 15 S Mich Mich Mich none
Jacobs, Evelyn A Boarder F W 24 S Mich Mich Mich Teacher

Lois married James E. Pease on 1 Sep 1925. James was born on 9 Nov 1901 in Midland County, Michigan; died on 3 Jul 1979 in Hinsdale, Dupage County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, March 13, 1953

Lifelong Resident of Cass City Dies

Funeral services are being held today (Friday) for Mrs. Burton ELLIOTT, 67, lifelong resident of Cass City. The remains are being brought from the Douglas Funeral Home to the Salem Evangelical U.B. Church at noon to lie in state until 2:00 p.m., the time of the service. Rev. S.R. Wurtz will officiate. Mrs. Elliott, who had been ill for three weeks in her home, was taken to the Pleasant Home Hospital Monday afternoon where she died Tuesday night. Mrs. Elliott was born March 7, 1886, near Cass City, the daughter of Mrs. Leonard BUEHRLY and the late Mr. BUEHRLY. On November 26, 1908, she married Mr. Burton ELLIOTT in Cass City. She was a member of the Salem U.B. Church. Surviving are her husband; two sons, Francis ELLIOTT of Cass City and Leonard ELLIOTT of Ubly; a grandson; her aged mother, Mrs. Catherine BUEHRLY; two sisters, Mrs. S. C. (Striffler) and Mrs. Walter (Elsie) ANTHES, and three brothers, Fred, Edward and Lawrence BUEHRLY, all of this vicinity. Burial will be in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Bertha was one of the cousins of BonnieMargaret Jacobs who searched their Bibles and records and picture collections to provide information for Bonnie's 1981 unpublished manuscipt about the history of the Benkelman family.

Bertha married Burton A. Elliott on 25 Nov 1908 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Burton (son of David H. Elliott and Matilda Krapf) was born on 8 May 1883 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 5 May 1971 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 7 May 1971 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, October 2008)

Cass City Chronicle
January 2, 1964

Mrs. Sol Striffler Services Thursday

Funeral services are to be held at the Cass City EUB Church at 2 p.m. Thursday for Mrs. Mary Striffler, lifelong resident of Cass City. Mrs. Striffler, 77, died in her home Monday, December 30, following a year's illness. Born Jun 19, 1886 in Cass City, she was the former Mary BUEHRLY, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Leonard BUEHRLY. She married Solomon Striffler June 29, 1910 in Cass City. The Rev. R.E. Beits and the Rev. S.R. Wurtz were to officiate at the services. Besides her husband, survivors are two sons, Delbert Striffler of Caro and the Rev. Russell STRIFFLER of Des Moines, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Walter Anthes of Cass City, and three brothers, Edward BUEHRLY, Fred BUEHRLY, and Lawrence BUEHRLY, all of Cass City, and four grandchildren. Burial is to be in the Elkland Cemetery. Little's Funeral Home had charge of the arrangements.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Mary married Solomon C. Striffler on 29 Jun 1910 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Solomon (son of Christian Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel) was born on 18 Jan 1882 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 19 Nov 1966 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, May 1, 1980
Page Six

Elsie Anthes dies on 89th birthday

Elsie Christine Anthes, 89, a lifelong resident of the Cass City area, died on her 89th birthday last Thursday at Hills and Dales General Hospital after a long illness. She was born April 24, 1891, on the family homestead farm, in Elkland township, the daughter of Leonard and Catherine (Buerk) BUEHRLY.

Miss Buehrly married Walter Anthes March 24, 1945, in Cass City. He died November 16, 1966.

Mrs. Anthes was a member of the Salem United Methodist church since childhood.

She is survived by two brothers, Lawrence BUEHRLY and Edward BUEHRLY, both of Cass City; three stepsons, Roy Anthes of Cass City, Harold Anthes of Potiac and Paul Anthes of Conway, Ark., two stepdaughters, Mrs. Lucille BUSH of Caro and Mrs. Alice BEECHER of Bad Axe; 14 step-grandchildren and a number of step-great-grandchildren. Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death.

Mrs. Anthes was taken from Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, to the Salem United Methodist church at noon Sunday, to lie in state until 1:30 funeral service. Rev. Eldred Kelley officiated. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

She was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Elsie married Walter J. Anthes on 24 Mar 1945 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Walter was born on 22 Nov 1884 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 15 Oct 1966 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 19 Oct 1966 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, February 8, 1989
Page Four

Edward Buehrly

Edward Buehrly, 93, a lifelong resident of Cass City, died Wednesday, Feb 1, 1989 at the Provincial House, after a long illness.

He was born Sept 6, 1895, on the family Centennial farm in Elkland Township where he lived all his life. He was the son of Leonard and Catherine (Burke) Buehrly.

He was married Janet Gardner on May 7, 1919, in Cass City. Mrs. Buehrly died Dec. 30, 1968.

Mr. Buehrly was one of the oldest members of Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City and one of the few remaining World War I veterans, having served with the United States Army Infantry. He was also a member of American Legion of Cass City.

He is survived by one son and his wife, Carl Buehrly, and his wife Carolyn of Lansing, three grandchildren; Robert Buehrly of Traunik, Mrs. Michael (Colleen) Portale of Marquette and Miss Mary Lynn Buehrly of Lansing; and three great-grandchildren, Bridgette, Tiffany and Bethany.

Two brothers, Fred and Lawrence Buehrly; and three sisters, Bertha Elliott, Mary Striffler and Elsie Anthes preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Saturday at Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City with the Rev Clare Patton, pastor, officiating. Interment with full military honors was in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

Arrangements were by Little's Funeral Home of Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

EDWARD BUEHRLY 06 Sep 1895 Feb 1989 48726 (Cass City, Tuscola, MI) (none specified) 386-38-4156 Michigan

Edward married Janet "Jennie" Gardner on 7 May 1919 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Janet was born on 28 Dec 1886 in Blenheim, Ontario, Canada; died on 30 Dec 1968 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
Thursday, October 15, 1981
Page Nine

Buehrly funeral Thursday

Lawrence William Buehrly, 79, of Buehrly Road, Cass City, died suddenly Monday, at his home. He was born June 30, 1902, in Elkland Township, on the now centennial farm where he lived all his life, the son of Leonard and Catherine (Buerk) Buehrly. Buehrly married Ethel WHITE June 29, 1929, in Cass City. They made their home on the family farm.

He was a member of Salem United Methodist church of Cass City, the Gleaners and the Tuscola County Farm Board.

Buehrly is survived by his wife; one daughter, Esther BUEHRLY, Cass City; two sons, Donald BUEHRLY and Dale BUEHRLY, both of Cass City; one grandson, one granddaughter, and two great-grandsons. Three sisters and one brother preceded him in death.

Buehrly will be taken from Little's Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Thursday to the Salem United Methodist church to lie in state until the 1 p.m. funeral service. Rev. Eldred Kelley will officiate. Burial will be in Elkland cemetery, Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

Lawrence married Ethel Marie White on 29 Jun 1929 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Ethel was born on 15 Aug 1911 in Michigan; died on 2 Nov 1985 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]