Living

Living married Ruth Kaiser Ruth (daughter of William Rudolph Kaiser and Esther A. Striffler) was born on 4 Apr 1923 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 10 Sep 1993 in Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 5, September 1, 1941 reported that Ruth Kaiser had graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Ruth Kaiser was graduated as a registered nurse from the University Hospital Ann Arbor, in June 1944. Vol. 8, of the same newsletter (published September 3, 1945) wrote that "Ruth Kaiser, R.N. is in essential nursing in the University Hospital at Ann Arbor, Michigan."

Notes:

Turning Back the Pages
Items form the files of the Cass City Chronicle of 1902

Rudolph Kaiser, who is at present visiting his relatives here, has re-enlisted as a soldier in the regular army. He has received the appointment as recruiting officer and will be stationed in Columbus, Oh.

(July 23, 1937, Page Two)

Cass City Chronicle
March 17, 1911
Local Items, Page 4
W. R. Kaiser intends to do all he can to make the town wet this summer. He has bought the street sprinkling outfit of S. Y. Kenyon and the financial renumeration promised by the citizens for this work makes the proposition look like a good thing for the new owner.

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

Thursday, September 29, was named as the date for the celebration of four birthdays in the Striffler and Kaiser families and a dinner was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Striffler on Leach street. The birthdays of Mrs. Striffler, Mrs. G.E. Krapf and Grant Reagh, all of Cass City, and W.R. Kaiser of Detroit all occur within a week. Members of all four families were present at dinner.

Cass City Chronicle
June 12, 1947
Page One

W.R. Kaiser Died in Detroit Wednesday

Wm. R. Kaiser, for many years a resident of Cass City, passed away Wednesday, June 11, at 3:30 p.m. at Detroit. He had suffered a heart attack.

Mr. Kaiser is a veteran of the Spanish-American War. While living in Cass City, he was custodian of the local schools for many years.

He is survived by his widow who was formerly Miss Esther STRIFFLER; four children, Mrs. Wm. QUIGLEY, Kenneth and John KAISER and Miss Ruth KAISER; a sister, Mrs. Samuel STRIFFLER, of San Diego, California, and a half sister, Mrs. G.E. KRAPF, of Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast writes that he died in the Dearborn Veteran's Hospital. His death certificate indicates this was in Allen Park.

(Research):Census Information:

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Township, Cass City Villa
ge
Enumerated 14 Apr 1910
SD 8, ED 113, Sheet 8B
HH 70-70
Jacob and Sophie STRIFFLER
HH 73-73
Kaiser, William R Hd M W 35 M1 1 Germany German Germany 1888 Laborer Teamster
Kaiser, Ester A Wf F W 31 m1 1/1 Mich New York Germany/German
Kaiser, Irene D Dtr F W 2/12 S Mich Germany Mich

William married Esther A. Striffler on 3 Aug 1908. Esther (daughter of John "Uncle John" Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary" Benkelman) was born on 4 May 1878 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 2 Feb 1965 in Mount Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
June 24, 1904, page 4

Mrs. M. Schwegler and Miss Esther Striffler went to Elkton Thursday to attend the Evangelical campmeeting which is being held there this week.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 18, 1940
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. W.R. KAISER of Detroit, David STRIFFLER of Columbus, Georgia and Miss Martha STRIFFLER were Sunday guests at the G.A. STRIFFLER home. All the guests returned to Detroit Sunday evening. David STRIFFLER returned to Cass City on Tuesday and is spending the week with his brother, G.A. STRIFFLER, and other relatives. Miss Martha, who has spent a few weeks with her sister, Mrs. KAISER, in Detroit, returned to Cass City with her brother Tuesday.


Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, February 11, 1965
Page Two
Mrs. Esther Kaiser Dies in Mt. Clemens
Mrs. Esther Kaiser of St. Clair Shores, widow of the late W.R. Kaiser, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, in a nursing home in Mount Clemens. Funeral services were held Friday p.m. in the Kaul Funeral Home, St. Clair Shores. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. William (Irene) QUIGLEY of St. Clair Shores, with whom she lived for several years, and Mrs. Stanely (Ruth) GLICKMAN of New Rochelle, N.Y.; two sons, Kenneth of Grand Rapids, Mich., and John of Pittsburg, Pa.

The Kaiser family were former residents of Cass City and the children attended school here. Mr. Kaiser served as custodian of the local schools for many years.

Mrs. Kaiser was the last member of the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Striffler, pioneer settlers of this area.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Notes:

According to "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database on FamilySearch, he was a son of Johann Jakob Kaiser and Anna Maenner.

Heinrich married Christine Barbara Buerk on 12 Jan 1862 in Hohenstaufen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Christine (daughter of Johannes B?rk and Christina Reinert) was born on 24 Jan 1842 in W?rttemberg, Germany; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to FamilySearch, she was also married to Johann Michael Griener,in 1872.

Notes:

Art Peck writes that they were among the first families in Tuscola County, Michigan, moving there about 1860 on land purchased for $2 an acre, land they had never seen. They cleared the land to establish a farm, a mile east and a mile north of Cass City. John was Elkland County, Michigan treasurer from 1868 to 1870, and again from 1885 through 1887.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., Friday, July 14, 1922
Vol. 18, No. 9

John Striffler has Passed Away
Settled in Elkland Township 62 Years Ago; Prominent in the Early History of Cass City Community

On the tombstone we carve the name of our beloved dead and then two dates--the year of birth and the year of death. Between these two lies the history of the dead and yet so few know that history. Between Mar. 15, 1833 and July 12, 1922, lies the life history of John Striffler. He was born on a farm near Lancaster, N.Y. and passed on to his home eternal at Cass City, Michigan.

A few months after his marriage to Miss Mary Benkelman at Lancaster on Nov. 14, 1858, Mr. Striffler came to Tuscola county. They resided six months at Watrousville and then completed their journey overland through the timber to Elkland township where they hewed out a home in the woods, and finally saw beautiful farms take the place of the timber tracts. Mrs. Striffler passed away on May 4, 1913. Two children also preceded the father in death, one child at the age of four years, and Mrs. Salome Bien, a daughter, whose death occured but a few months ago.

Coming into the community when it was sparsely settled and all covered with timber and when it took four days' travel with ox teams to go from Vassar to the cite where Cass City now stands, Mr. Striffler had ample opportunity to test the hardships of early pioneer life in the Thumb district. His services in the early days proved valuable and his neighbors soon placed him with the responsibilities of various township offices.

John Striffler was a man of generous impluse and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. Friend or stranger never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands, and he delighted in kind and neighborly deeds. Many a poor family found relief from his storehouse and many people enjoyed his hospitality. His home was always open to all, poor or well-to-do, and many found pleasure in the entertainment provided therein. He had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity quietly. He had filled the various relations of life as husband, father, brother, friend and filled them satifactorily and his life work was well done.

He is survived by five children, Mrs. Archie MARK, G.A. STRIFFLER, Mrs. W.R. KAISER, and Miss Martha STRIFFLER, all of Cass City, and David STRIFFLER of Columbus, Georgia, 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Since the death of his wife, his daughter, Martha, has been the companion and faithful attendant of her father.

Funeral services will be held in the Evangelical church which Mr. Striffler attended for many years. It is planned to hold the service Saturday afternoon unless David Striffler, who is on his way home from Georgia, is delayed in his journey from the south.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

(Research):
Census Information:

1850 Census
New York, Erie County, Lancaster
Enumerated 23 Aug 1850
Page 200
1048-1082
Otil Strifler 59 F $2550 Germany
Jacob Strifler 30 M Farmer
Susanna Strifler 27 F
Joseph Stifler 24 M Farmer
Christian Strifler 22 m Farmer
John Strifler 17 Farmer New York (sic)
David Strifler 14


1860 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland
58-56
John Striffler 27 Farmer $280 $75 NY
Mary Striffler 21 Domestic Wirtinburg, Germany
The household immediately following theirs was that of Jacob and Louisa Striffler

1870 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County
56-56
Striffler, John 37 Farmer $5,075 $860 NY
Striffler, Mary 31 Germ Wirtinburg
Striffler, Emeline 10 Mich
Striffler, Albert 6 Mich
Striffler, Salome 4 Mich
The households preceding theirs were occupied by Jacob and Louis Striffler (#53), Adam and Catherine Benkelmann (#54), George & Katherine Kolb (#55).

1880 Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan
Source:FHL Film 1254607 National Archives Film T9-0607
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

19 year old Philip Striffler is likely the son of David and Sophia Striffler of Lancaster, New York. David was said to have died in 1872, and it appears that at least his oldest son left New York after his father died, so perhaps Philip did as well. Leonard Buehrly was from same village in Germany as Mary, and would later marry the granddaughter of her brother, Frederick Benkelman.

1900 Census, Michigan, Tuscola, Elkland, ED 110
Enumerated the 12th of June, 1900 by John Marshall
SD 8, ED 110, Sheet 6 B
125-125
Archie and Emeline Mark and family
126 126
Striffler, John Hd W M March 1833 67 M 41 NY France France Farmer
Striffler, Mary Wife W F May 1839 61 M 41 7/6 Germany Germany Germany 1856
Striffler, Martha Dtr W F Nov 1871 28 S Michigan NY Germany
Striffler, Ester Dtr W F May 1878 22 S Michigan NY Germany
Striffler, David A. W M Aug 1883 16 S Michigan NY Germany Farm Laborer
Bean, Saloma Dtr W F Sep 1866 22 Ed 3/3 Michigan NY Germany
Bean, Stanley G.Son W M Dec 1892 7 S Michigan Michigan Germany
Bean, Paul P. G. Son W M May 1894 6 S Michigan Michigan Germany
Bean, William D. G. Son W M Dec 1895 4 S Michigan Michigan Germany

1910 Census, Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, ED 113, Cass City Village
Enumerated 13 Apr 1910
SD 8, ED 113, Sheet No 5 B

138-138
Striffler, John Hd M W 76 M1 NY Germany Germany
Own Income
Striffler, Mary Wife 70 M1 6/6 Germany Germany Germany
Striffler, Martha Dtr F W 37 S Mich Germany Germany

They were living in the household immediately preceding that of Mary's nephew, Benjamin Benkelman, Sr.

John married Anna Maria "Mary" Benkelman on 14 Nov 1858 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. Anna (daughter of Johann Leonhard Benkelmann and Maria Dorothea St?hle) was born on 22 May 1839 in Schneiderhof, Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 4 May 1913 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

German Parish records show "ist 1853 ausgewandert" (left for America) in 1853. On the Oberant Welzheim Emmigrants list, 1818-1891, She is listed as Anna Maria, g. d. 22t. Mai 1839 ledig, and travelling in a party headed by her mother, Maria Dorothea, the widow of Johann Leonhard Benkelmann, a farmer of Schneiderhof. Three of her sisters were on this list as well.

BonnieMargaret's full source citation was: Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg, "Verzeichnis der Auswanderung aus dem Oberamt Welzheim 1818-1891" F 214 B?schel 91 Fortlaufende Number 42 [or possibly 47] ).

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., Friday, May 9, 1913
Vol. 8, No. 3

Elkland Twp. Loses Pioneer Settler
Mrs. John Striffler passed away Sunday Evening
Has Been a Resident of This Township for 54 years; was 73 Years of Age

Following an illness of several months duration, Mrs. John Striffler, one of the pioneer settlers of Elkland Township, died at her home on Pine Street Sunday evening at the age of 73 years.

Mary Benkelman was born in Brech, Wuertemberg, Germany*, on May 22, 1839, and came to this country in 1852, landing at Baltimore. She with some of her brothers and sisters settled in Lancaster, N.Y., and here on Nov. 14, 1858, she was united in marriage with John Striffler. This union was blessed with seven children, six of whom survive.

[BonnieMargaret Jacob's writes that Breech was just down and across the road from the Schneiderhof, both near B?rtlingen]

It was 54 years ago this month, when they, in the prime of life, came to Michigan, locating on the land now known as Striffler homestead, two miles east and north of Cass City. They belonged to that distinguished number of early settlers who opened up this section of Tuscola county and laid the foundation for future prosperity for those who came into these parts later on and here was established a home where the generous impluses and the hospitable ways of the pioneer held sway. When the life on the farm grew to sternouse (sic) for their advanced years, Mr. and Mrs. Striffler moved to Cass City to spend their remaining years.

Mrs. Striffler became a Christian in early life and ever since the establishment of the Evangelical society in this section, has been a regular attendant of that church. Her life was of such a self-sacrificing nature that she became a blessing to all who came to know her and in return God gave her a peaceful life full of hope and joy. Her last sickness was born with patience. She will be missed by the many friends and especially in the home by the husband and daughter.

The funeral services were held at the Evangelical church on Thursday morning. Rev. D.J. Feather, the pastor, officiated, assisted by Revs. J.M. Bittner and J. Schmaus, and the remains were carried to their last resting place in Elkland cemetery by the following nephews of the deceased, who served as pall bearers: B.F. and J.A. BENKELMAN, G. E. and John KRAPF, Solomon and Samuel STRIFFLER.

Besides the husband, six children, Mrs. Archie MARKS, G. A. STRIFFLER, Mrs. Salome BIEN, Miss Martha STRIFFLER, Mrs. W.R. KAISER and David STRIFFLER, one sister, Mrs. M.M. SCHWEGLER of this city, two brothers, Leonard BENKELMAN of Manitowoc, Wis. and John BENKELMAN of Portage, Wis., 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren survive.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 16, 1913
Local Items, Page 4

Mrs. Mary BURK, Mrs. Sarah HOYT and daughter, Miss Iva, of Caro attended the funeral of Mrs. John STRIFFLER Thursday

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

A copy of her actual Michigan Death certificate can be viewed online:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Marry Striffler

Her date of birth on this certificate was instead shown as 22 May 1839, and her parents were listed as Lenard Benkelman and Dora Slatey[St?hle]. The informant was W?/D? A Striffler of Cass City.







(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

Married:
BonnieMargaret Jacobs also shows a daughter, Martha, born Nov. 1873???