Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When he completed his draft registration for World War I, he was working as a farmer in Kalamazoo for Mrs. Jennie Cavender. He listed his location of birth as Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan. He was shown as medium heighth, medium build, with brown eyes and hair.

At the time of the 1920 census, he was a lodger in a boarding home in Ward Six, the 12th District, Detroit, with his occupation listed as Real Estate Salesman. In 1930, census records still show him as a boarder in Detroit, with his occupation as Retail Auto Salesman, and shown as a veteran of the World War. He was living in the 21st Ward, in the home of Elvin and Orpha Freeman, and incorrectly indexed as Paul BIEM. He was single at the time of both enumerations.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bien and two daughters of Houston, Texas visited relatives in Detroit, Lansing and Cass City. Paul has been away seventeen years.

Art Peck's book published a brief obituary, which appears to have been published in Cass City.

"Paul Bien, 60, former resident (Cass City) died April 27 (1955 penciled in) in Houston, Texas after two weeks illness caused by a heart attack. Mr. Bien left Detroit 25 years ago to make his home in Houston and is survived by his wife; two daughters; a step-son and two brothers, J. Stanley Bien of Lansing and Wm. Bien of East Syracuse, N.Y."

Name: Paul Preston Bien
Death Date: 27 Apr 1955
Death Place: Houston, Harris, Texas
Gender: Male
Race:
Death Age: 60 years 11 months 23 days
Estimated Birth Date: 1895
Birth Date:
Birthplace: Bay Port, Michigan
Marital Status:
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: William H. Bien
Father's Birthplace: Ontario, Canada
Mother's Name: Salene Striffer
Mother's Birthplace: Cass City, Michigan
Occupation: Salesman, Radio School
Place of Residence:
Cemetery:
Burial Place:
Burial Date:
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2114388
Digital Film Number: 4165531
Image Number: 1840
Reference Number: 18453
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Medical):See attached sources.

Paul married Anna Sue O'Brien before 1936. Anna was born about 1909 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; died on 2 Sep 1947 in Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name: Anna Bien
Death Date: 02 Sep 1947
Death Place: Lafayette, , Lafayette, Louisiana
Gender: Female
Race (original): W
Race (standardized): White
Age: 38
Estimated Birth Year: 1909
Birth Place: Houston, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: P E O'Brien
Mother's Name: Benny Fry
Film number: 1409048
Image Number: 00333
Certificate Number: 299
Digital Folder Number: 4215538
Collection: Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875; 1894-1954

Sally Bien Kiley emailed, in May 2012, that her mother died in a car accident on a return trip to Houston. The family had taken an extended trip to visit Paul Bien's extended family, driving from Houston to Detroit, Flint, Lansing, NY, down the coast of Florida, and finally over to Georgia to see the David Striffler family. As they crossed Louisiana, they were hit head on by a drunk driver, killing her mother and critically injuring her father.

Notes:

Lorraine Smith Benkelman excerpted the following letters between William H. Bien and George Albert Striffler. These letters were written in the late 1880's who was looking for work. Just a few years later William would marry George Albert's younger sister, Salome.

January 8, 1886 Whittemore, Michigan

So many men that they commenced discharging 5 or 6 every day. They cut wages from $26 to $18-$20. Finally we got work up on the Au Sable River. I got in 24 days and then they put the damper on my winter job, so I came on down to this god forsaken palce Whittemore and stuck a tree camp and scored ties for seven days then had the good luck to cut my foot a very bad cut. Dr. says it should be healed in three more weeks.

April 8, 1886 Oscoda, Michigan

Everything is kind'o dull here, but things will be booming if the good weather keeps up. there was quite a lawsuit here about some fellows breaking into a house of ill fame and destroyed almost everything. There were about 15 in the scrape and six of them were sent to Tawas county jail awaiting trial at circuit court. They were a hard looking crew, but the girls got the start of 'em.


July 25, 1886 Black River, Michigan

Never see the face of a woman here. Tell Will Striffler to write. Tell me who your sweet potato blossom was for the fourth. Write me back at Mr. Wards Camp at Black River, MI.

November 18, 1888 Baraga, Michigan

What are you doing in upper Michigan. Is it the homestead we spoke of?

December 23, 1888

Am working in a lumber camp for Thos. Nester co. and our foreman is one of your Cass City neighbors, Malcolm McEachin. Certainly you must know him, his folks live in the scotch settlement and he knows you folks. Wages are $26 to $30, so if you come you are sure of $26.

Mary Hicks, a grand niece of William Bien's ex-daughter-in-law, Helena Shaneyfelt Bien, emailed in July, 2010 that the "Bien / Biehn / Bean family was Mennonite. William H. Bien's father was David G. Bean in Ontario, and he was the son of Abraham Bean (Bien, Biehn) and Susannah Graybill (Grebiel). Abraham was born in Doon, Ontario, Canada, and Susannah was born in Druemore, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania. "

William married Salome Striffler on 25 Nov 1891 in Kilmanagh, Huron County, Michigan. Salome (daughter of John "Uncle John" Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary" Benkelman) was born on 19 Sep 1866 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 26 Jan 1922 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

May 11, 1888

The men have been working near the river these two weeks, when the weather was so they could plow. Today they were sowing oats. Pete Burg helped mother with the garden. I let the deer out one evening and he ran around the house in the orchard and garden and tracked the garden all up. We got him back in. The report around is that Adam Benkelman was coming home. We were so glad to think they were going to be here again, then we were disappointed to hear it was only Minnie Burg's talk. It seems odd to not see you, with a book under your arm or in the morning see you come from upstairs. Mother wants to know how far it is from church, are are there any girls in your neighborhood?

Your fat sister, "Baby Elephant Jumbo", Salome

June 6, 1888

I am staying at the Muck's for three weeks now. Anna Peterson is dead. She had a tumor and died under an operation. I heard that Adam Benkelman was expected home any day, but will not be sure until I hear that Minnie Burg did not make it up. The population of Cass City has increased since you left. Adam Muck has a girl, Del Landon a girl, Duncan Graham and Alex McKenzie both boys.


July 31, 1888

What are you doing there? Are you going to stay there. What do you eat anyhow? is Mrs. W. Weydemeyer working where you board? Berries and huckleberries are scarce this year. The Enterprise says "Two women to eveyr raspberry." Lucy Meier was here begging for the new church in Fremont. Did you hear from Will Bien yet, since you are up there? He gets $28 a month. How much are you getting. David said you should come home and cut his hair.

October 10, 1888

folks making syrup again. Mother and Mattie are helping in the sugar house and I am doing the housework. Charlie Yous is working for us again this fall. Johnnie Zinnecker hired out to Pa for a month, he may stay and go to school this winter. Dora Schenck has engaged to teach the Walmsley school. Walter Gamble and Lissie Ale are teaching the CC school. Mrs. John Doying died last Monday. Ada's funeral was yesterday. Peter Dodge is married to Sam's stepdaughter, got license in Caro at 8 pm, thene married at 2 am, lots of talk. Archie's father is married again to Albert Scarr's widow. Adam Muck has a girl, Del Landon a girl, Duncan Graham has a boy, Alex McKenzie a boy.


November 9, 1888

You mentioned going West, how far, Wisconisn or further? Mattie and I sent for the Normal course books. Mrs. Wunderlich organized the class. We younger folks have clubbed together and bought a book for the minister, "the Beautiful story and Gold gems of religious thoughts." Got is from James Waldon, the fellow who's feet got frozen. He is a book agency, walks with crutches.

November 29, 1888

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


Cass City Chronicle
August 15, 1919
The Week's Doing, Page Eight

Mrs. Salome Bien left Monday for a short visit at the home of her son, Stanley Bien, at Lansing.

Cass City Chronicle
February 3, 1922
Page One

Deaths of the Week

Mrs. Salome Bien

The Evangelical church was crowded Sunday afternoon by relatives and friends who came to attend the funeral of Mrs. Salome Bien whose death occurred at her home in Lansing last Thursday. Rev. F. L. Pohly conducted the services and interment was made in Elkland cemetery.

Salome Striffler was born Sept. 19, 1866, on the parental farm near Cass City. She was united in marriage with Wm. Bien in Kilmanagh, Mich., Nov. 25, 1891. This happy union was of short duration, for Mr. Bien preceded his wife in death 26 years ago. Three sons came to bless the home for whom their mother toiled and sacrificed these many years to make possible their education and welfare and whose privilege it became, in these later days, for them to reciprocate their love and devotion in caring for her.

For the past few years, Mrs. Bien has suffered greatly from cancerous trouble but in it all manifested a most patient and hopeful spirit. All that medical skill and kind hands could do could not overpower her affliction. On Jan. 26, 1922, she peacefully passed away at Lansing, Mich., at the age of 55 years. Mrs. Bien gave her heart to God in her youth and united with the Cass City Evangelical church of which she remained a member.

She leaves to mourn her departure three devoted sons, Stanley of Lansing, Paul of Detroit, and William, a student at the U. of M. at Ann Arbor, an aged father, John Striffler of Cass City, two brothers, G.A. Striffler of Cass City and David Striffler of Columbus, Ga., three sisters, Mrs. Archie Mark, Miss Martha Striffler and Mrs. W.R. Kaiser, all of Cass City, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, March 2008)

(Research):Census Infomation:

1900 Census, Michigan, Tuscola, Elkland, ED 110
Enumerated the 12th of June, 1900 by John Marshall
SD 8, ED 110, Sheet 6 B
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 Township, Cass City Village
Enumerated 21 Apr 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 4A Stamped 135
95-95
Bien, Salome Hd F W 43 Ed 3/3 Mich NY Germany Own Income
Bien, John C Son M W 17 S Mich Canada/English Mich
Bien, Paul P Son M W 15 S Mich Canada/English Mich
Bien, William D Son M W 14 S Mich Canada/English Mich

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???