Stanley Reagh

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, May 25, 1988
Page Five
Obituaries

Stanley Reagh

Stanley S. Reagh, 75, of Muskegon died at his home May 11.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at the Elkland Cemetery.

Surviving are one sister, Mrs. William McINTYRE of Muskegon, and one brother, J. Arnold Reagh of Saginaw, and 5 nieces and nephews.

A sister Margaret and a brother Grant predeceased him.

His cousins include Ruth and Jack ESAU and James and Esther Reagh of Cass City and Harry Reagh of Bay City and Carl Reagh of Lansing.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Winter 2007)

Stanley married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, March 28, 1947
Vol. 41, Number 50
Page One

Ira Reagh Died at Branch Yesterday

Ira Reagh, formerly a resident of Cass City for many years, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Branch yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. No funeral arrangements had been made at the time the Chronicle went to press.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 4, 1947
Vol. 41, Number 51
Page One

Funeral of Ira Reagh Here Sunday

Funeral services for ira Reagh, 61, former resident of Cass City, were held at the Baptist Church here Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Arnold Olsen. Entombment was in Elkland Cemetery. He died unexpectedly at his home in Branch, Mich., Friday morning.

Ira Reagh was born in Sanilac County on August 22, 1885, the son of the late James and Margaret Reagh. He and Miss Alice Stiffler were married in Cass City in 1906. They moved to Branch nine years ago.

Mr. Reagh is survived by his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret CURTIS, Muskegon, and Mrs. Marian McINTYRE, Detroit; two sons, Stanley REAGH, Muskegon and John Arnold REAGH, who attends Michigan State College, East Lansing; three grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Mabel HUTCHINS, Vassar, and three brothers, Ernest, John and Lloyd REAGH, all of Cass City.

A son, Lt. Grant REAGH, was reported missing in action in a flight over the Pacific in World War II.

Out of town people attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Henry RICE, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred BERGGREN and daughter, Shirley, of Muskegon; John and Max Oakley, of Birmingham; Mr. and Mrs. Frank STRIFFLER, Mr. and Mrs. Louis STRIFFLER and M.C. WENTWORTH and daughter, Norma, of Detroit; Harry REAGH of Bay City; Mr. and Mrs. L. COOPER of Pontiac, and Mr. and Mrs. John DICKINSON of Bad Axe.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Winter 2007)

Ira married Alice L. Striffler in 1906 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Alice (daughter of Solomon Striffler and Eva Catharina "Katie" Koepf) was born on 30 Mar 1889 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 3 Jan 1966 in Eustis, Lake County, Florida; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Art Peck writes that Alice married again after Ira's death, her second marriage was for 15 years. Volume 23 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST reported that Dave Boulware, husband of Alice Striffler Reagh, had died on January 19, 1963.

Alice married for a third time shortly before her death. According to the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Vol. 25, published 6 September 1965, she was married in January 1965 to John GREER (sic) and they were going to live in Eustis, Florida.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, January 6, 1966
Page Four

Mrs. John Greene Dies Unexpectedly

Word was received late Monday of the unexpected death Monday of Mrs. John Greene (Alice Striffler), 76, at her home in Eustis, Fla. The remains will be brought to Little's Funeral Home after funeral services Jan. 5 in Eustis. Services will be held at Little's and burial will be in Elkland cemetery.

Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Striffler, she was born at Cass City March 30, 1889. She left Cass City 15 years ago to live in Florida.

Mrs. Greene is survived by her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Lewis CURTIS and Mrs. William McINTYRE of Muskegon; two sons, Stanley REAGH of Muskegon and J. Arnold REAGH of Saginaw; seven grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Alma McKENZIE of Cass City and Mrs. Harry FALKENHAGEN, currently at Bradenton, Fla., and two brothers, Louis Striffler of Detroit and Leonard Striffler of Cass City.

Mrs. Greene was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Cass City and a member of Echo chapter OES.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Winter 2007)

(Research):Census Information

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated 30 and 31 January 1920
SD 7 ED 179 Sheet 11B
264-279

Reagh, Ira Roy Hd M W 34 M Mich Canada/English Canada/English Drugman? City Drug?
Reagh, Alice L Wf F W 30 M Mich York State Germany/German
Reagh, Margaret Dtr F W 12 S Mich Mich Mich
Reagh, Stanley Son M W 7 Mich Mich Mich
Reagh, Marion Dtr F W 5 S Mich Mich Mich
Reagh, John Son M W 1 5/12 Mich Mich Mich
Reagh, Grant Son M W 4/12 S Mich Mich Mich

A list of pupils at the Wright Rural School #4 in 1897 include Alice Striffler, Arlis Vaughan, Chancy Boulton, Emma Cole, Esther Blades, Effie Wallace, Eddie Mark, Frank Cranick, Flossie Wright, Georgie Dennis, Johnie Hulburt, Lizzie Yoos, Lena Mark, Luke Wright, Mary Mark, Minta Wallace, Alice Charlton, Ada Cole, Chester Dennis, Ethel Cole, Etta Wickware, Ethel Charlton, Frank Striffler, Fred Yoos, George Cole, John Wallace, Lizzie Blades, Lillie Wallace, Lenne Striffler, Martha Wright, May Dennis, Ray Hulbert, Stanley Hulbert. Grace Karr, teacher and S. Striffler, Director.

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 30, 1913

Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Striffler visited at the home of Frank Striffler in Deford over Sunday.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 24, 1933
Local Happenings
Page 3
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Striffler and daughter, Luella, and Miss Gertrude Striffler of Detroit spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Striffler.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 15, 1936
Elkland Twp. Loses Prominent Citizen
Solomon Striffler Came Here in 1859, Year after Township Was Organized

Elkland township lost a pioneer resident and an outstanding citizen in the death of Solomon Striffler, who passed away at his home on the corner of Leach and Third streets in Cass City on Friday morning, May 8. He had been ill for about a year.

The funeral services were held at the Evangelical church on Sunday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. G.A. Spitler, pastor of the church. Interment was made in Elkland Cemetery.

Solomon Striffler was born in Lancaster, N.Y., on April 5, 1859, and came to this community with his parents, Jacob and Louisa Striffler, at the age of six weeks.

Solomon Striffler and Miss Katherine Burke were married on Nov. 15, 1883, by Rev. B.F. Wade at the home of the bride's uncle, Fred Burke, in Elkland township. The following spring, Mr. Striffler erected a residence on his farm one mile north of the Elkland cemetery and here he and his wife lived and reared their children until 13 years ago when they moved to Cass City. Mr. and Mrs. Striffler celebrated their golden wedding on Nov. 15, 1933.

Mr. Striffler, with possibly one exception, had spent more years in Elkland township than anyone residing in the community. His advent in this place was in the year following the organization of the township of Elkland in 1858. Watrousville was the nearest point that boasted any mercantile establishments in those pioneer days when a lumber trail was the only road in Cass City. Settlers left here at noon and walked to Watrousville, carrying their merchandise purchases home the next day.

Ms. Stiffler was a member of the Evangelical church here and a man of high ideals. He was for many years, until ill health made it necessary for him to resign, the teacher of the adult class in Sunday School and he stood foremost among students as a Bible student. He served Elkland township as treasurer, justice and highway commissioner, and for 28 years was a school director.

Mr. Striffler leaves besides his widow, six children, Frank and Louis Striffler of Detroit, Mrs. Ira Reagh, Leonard Striffler, Mrs. Alma Schenck and Miss Gertrude Stiffler, all of Cass City, eight grandchildren, one brother, Samuel Stiffler, of Battle Creek, and one sister, Mrs. George Zinnecker, of Moore, Montana.

Those for out of town in attendance at the funeral Sunday afternoon included Mr. amd Mrs. Ira H. Blakely, Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Benson, Mr. and Mrs. I.M Clapper, Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Batten, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Striffler, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Kaiser and children, Kenneth John and Ruth, Mrs. Florence Spangler, Louis Striffler, Burke Arehart, and Miss Luella Striffler, all of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Striffler and daugther, Anna, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Buchanan and children, James and Nellie Marie, all of Battle Creek; Fred Striffler of Caro; and Mr. and Mrs. Otto Nique of Decker.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Winter 2007)

(Research):Census Information:


1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated 12, 13 and 14 June 1900 by John Marshall
SD 8, ED 110, Sheet 7A Stamped 110
137-137
Samuel & Mary Striffler
138-138
Striffler, Solomon Hd W M APr 1889 41 M16
Striffler, Kate Wf W F Sept 1864 34 M 16 5/5
Striffler, Franklin A Son 13
Striffler, Alice L Dtr 11
Striffler, ____ Son 9
Striffler, ____ ??? 4
Striffler, Luella A Dtr 7/12

(Note this listing was at the bottom of the page, and the m
icrofilm copy of it was partially obscured).

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City, ED 11
Striffler, Solomon M W 70 M @ 24 NY Alsace Lorraine Germany Retired Farmer, Greenhouse
Striffler, Kate 65 F W M @ 18 Germany Germany Germany 1878
Striffler, Leonard 38 S M W S Michigan New York Germany Groomer Stock for Show

Solomon married Eva Catharina "Katie" Koepf on 15 Nov 1883 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Eva (daughter of Johannes Koepf and Christine Barbara Buerk) was born on 25 Sep 1865 in W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 15 Jan 1938 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was said by Art Peck to be a half sister of Rudolph and Marie Kaiser. Her death certificate showed her as a daughter of Fred Buerk, with her mother's name not listed. The name Fred Buerk may have been in error, as she had an uncle Fred Buerk as well. It could well be that she listed her uncle as her father, as BonnieMargaret Jacobs wrote, on page 162 of her unpublished manuscript about the Benkelman family, that Kate/Katie was raised by Fred Buerk and Catherina Benkelman as if she were their own daughter, who was also named Catherine. To avoid confusion, Katherine Eva was called Kate or Katie, and her elder cousin (by just one month) was called Catherine.

Family Search instead shows her as a daughter Christine Buerk and Johannes Koepf, and he was listed as her father on the "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database on FamilySearch.

Cass City Chronicle
October 3, 1933

A birthday dinner was held Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Striffler in honor of the birthdays of Mrs. Striffler and her sister, Mrs. G.E. Krapf. A brother, W.R. Kaiser of Detroit, whose birthday is within a few days of his sisters, was also expected but because of illness was unable to be present. Other guests of the dinner were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Striffler, Miss Gertrude Striffler and Russell Atwell, all of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Reagh and family, and Mrs. Alma Schenck and family.

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
Vol. 32, Number 43
Cass City, Michigan, Friday, January 21, 1938
Page One
Pioneer Resident Found Dead in Home By Son
Unexpected Passing of Mrs. Solomon Striffler Is Great Shock to Relatives

Returning from an errance to a grocery store to buy supplies for the following day, Leonard Striffler, who makes his home with his mother, Mrs. Solomon Striffler, on the corner of Leach and Third streets, found her dead on the bathroom floor when he returned home about six o'clock Saturday evening. He had been absent but a short time and had left his mother with no sign of any serious ailment. Mrs. Striffler had visited her physician Saturday afternoon because she felt slightly indisposed and her spoke encouragingly of her general health. Relatives and friends were naturally greatly shocked to hear of her sudden and unexpected death. Funeral services were held in the Evangelical church on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. R.N. Holsape, the pastor officiating, in interment was made in Elkland cemetery. Katherine Buerk was born in Waldhausen, Wuertemberg, Germany, September 25, 1865, and came to Elkland township with her grandmother, Mrs. Christine BUERK, in 1873, when she was seven years of age. On November 15, 1883, she and Solomon Striffler were married by the Rev. B.F. Wade, at the home of the bride's uncle, Fred BUERK, in Elkland township. The following spring Mr. Striffler erected a residence on his farm one mile north of Elkland cemetery and here he and Mrs. Striffler lived and reared their children until 15 years ago when they moved to Cass City. Both Mr. and Mrs. Striffler were for many years active members of the Evangelical church, Mrs. Striffler being much interested in the activities of the Ladies' Aid Society. On November 15, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Striffler celebrated their fiftieth marriage anniversary and many friends and acquantances, those of the pioneer days and those of a more modern age, called at their home to pay their respect and show their love for this venerable couple, who by their spirit and intergrity and kindness had won a large circle of friends in the community where they had long resided.

Mr. Striffler passed away on May 8, 1936.



Mrs. Striffler leaves six children, Frank, Louis, and Miss Gertrude Striffler, all of Detroit, and Leonard Striffler, Mrs. Ira REAGH and Mrs. Alma SCHENCK, all of Cass City; eight grandchildren; a brother W.R. KAISER of Detroit; and two sisters, Mrs. Samuel STRIFFLER of Battle Creek and Mrs. G.E. KRAPF of Cass City. A daughter, Luella, 6, preceded her mother in death.

Friends and relatives from distant points who attended the funeral her Tuesday included Mr. and Mrs. Joseph FRUTCHEY, Mrs. A.D. McINTYRE, Mr. and Mrs. Jack GIBBS, Mrs. Mary CROCKER, all from Saginaw; Miss Icele PASCHALL, MR. J. SPANGLER, E. ATWELL, Mr. and Mrs. Earl GOODEN, Mr. and Mrs. I.H. BLAKELY, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. KAISER, Mr. and Mrs. William QUIGLEY, John, Kenneth and Ruth KAISER, Mrs. Burke AREHART and Mrs. William McINTYRE, all of Detroit; Mrs. Samuel STRIFFLER of Battle Creek; Donald SCHENCK and Miss Genevieve RUEDE of Jackson.

Notes:

Married:
Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 10, 1933
Volume 28, Number 31

An article and photo commerating their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary was featured on page 1

Notes:

Supervisor of Elkland Township from 1888 through 1891, and President of Cass City in the last years of the 19th century. (Source: Peck)

Bonnie Margaret Jacobs, in her 1981 unpublished manuscript, wrote that Jacob and his brother John Striffler "decided they'd join the migration west and they had heard of the opening territory of Michigan and the potentially good farm land there. Sight unseen, they bought land for two farms at $2 per acred and set out with their families for their new home in 1859....the trip was reasonably easy the first part of the way. They could catch a boat from Buffalo to the Michigan shores and from there, wagon on to their new land....they found the forest so dense that there was no way to get to the land they had purchased. Disgusted and disappointed, they were prepared to return to Lancaster. But the men in Watrousville [now Caro] advised they not to be so foolish. It was good farm land---once the trees were harvested and a part of each land sale seems to have included a provision that the price of the land did not include the pine that stood on it. Lumbering rights were held by large lumbering companies and the Strifflers could expect to be able to establish their homes by the next spring. So the two young families remained in Watrousville for the winter. Fortunately as well as being experienced farmers, the men were accomplished coopers. So they supported themselves by the making of barrels and buckets through the winter and finally were able to get thier land the next summer." (pp. 151, 152, and Jacobs cites both the "Memoirs of John A. Benkelman," along with interviews with Elsie Buehrly Anthes, Leonard Striffler and Mrs. Ben Schwegler).

He and Louisa were charter members of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Cass City.

Cass City Enterprise
September 27, 1895

About midnight, Monday, Jacob Striffler, living two miles east and north of town, breathed his last. He had resided here since 1860, and labored hard to make fruitful what was then a wilderness, not without succes. The funeral took place yesterday at the Evangelical Church, Rev. C.W. Ross officiating and being assisted by Rev. J.W. Fenn. The pall bearers were from among his associates and were also pioneers. The attendance was large and the services impressive. Deceased was born March 31, 1918 at Kirrberg, Germany (formerly France) and fell asleep in Jesus at his home September 24, 1895, aged 76 years, 5 months, and 23 days. In 1830 he came with his parents to America and located near Buffalo, NY, he moved to Watrousville, Mich in 1859, and he came her one year later. Early in life he converted to God, became a member of the Evangelical Church, lived a devoted Christian life and was true until called from labor to reward. He also served in a capacity of a class-leader for many years. Mr. Striffler leaves a sorrowing wife, two sons and two daughter (two sons and two daughters precededd him to the better land), three brothers, one sister and a large circle of friends. May God grant all a happy reunion in heaven.

(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
59-57
Jacob Striffler 41 M Farmer $280 $75 France
Louisa Striffler 27 F Domestic Wurtinberg
Adaline Striffler 6 F NY
Leonard Striffler 3 M NY
Solomon Striffler 1 NY
The household immediately preceding theirs was that of John and Mary Striffler, his brother.

1870 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland
53-53
Striffler, Jacob 51 Farmer $3,030 $300 France
Striffler, Louisa 37 Keeping House Germany Wirtenberg
Striffler, Leonard 13 NY
Striffler, Solomon 10 NY
Striffler, Lydia 4 MI
Striffler, Jacob 4/12 MI
The following three households were those of Adam and Catherine Benkelman, George and Katherine Kolb, and John and Mary Striffler

1880 Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan Source:FHL Film 1254607 National Archives Film T9-0607 Page 96C
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Jacob STRIFFLERSelfMMW61FRANCE Occ:FarmerFa: FRANCEMo: FRANCE
Louisa STRIFFLERWifeFMW46WERTENBERG Occ:Keeping HouseFa: WERTENBERGMo: WERTENBERG
Soloman STRIFFLERSonMSW21NY Occ:FarmerFa: FRANCEMo: WERTENBERG
Samuel STRIFFLERSonMSW8MI Occ:At SchoolFa: FRANCEMo: WERTENBERG
Lydia STRIFFLERDauFSW6MI Occ:At SchoolFa: FRANCEMo: WERTENBERG
Charles JANS OtherMSW33WERTENBERG Occ:FarmerFa: WERTENBERGMo: WERTENBERG

Jacob married Luise "Louisa" Benkelman about 1853 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. Luise (daughter of Johann Leonhard Benkelmann and Maria Dorothea St?hle) was born on 14 Sep 1833 in Schneiderhof, Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 22 Oct 1910 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 1852 ausgewandert" (left for America) in 1852. BonnieMargaret Jacobs wrote that Louise travelled to America at the age of 19, with no other family members to accompany her, however it was likely other villagers made the journey with her. BonnieMargaret speculated that "perhaps her brohters had already spotted one of the Striffler brothers as a likely spouse, and wanted the eligible Louisa on hand." (p. 81).

At the time of the 1900 Census, she was living with her son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Mary Striffler in Cass City.

Cass City Chronicle
October 28, 1910

Pioneer Lady Laid to Rest-
Mrs. Louisa Striffler Passed away Saturday-
One of the Pioneers of Elkland TownshipWhose Life Was a Blessing to Others-

Death released from her suffering Mrs. Louise Striffler, whose illness had been mentioned several time in the past two months. Her demise occurred at the home of her son, Solomon Striffler, two miles northeast of town.

Louise Benkelman was born in Oberamt Weltzheim, Wurtenberg, Germany, on Sept. 14, 1833. About 1850 she came to America and settled at Lancaster, N.Y. A few years later she was united in marriage to Jacob Striffler in that village. In the year 1850 they came to Michigan, settling in Elkland township. Mr. Striffler died 14 years ago.

Mrs. Striffler was converted to the Christian faith under the labors of Rev. Henne, a pioneer minister of the Evangelical Church. She was one of the charter members of the church of that denomination at Cass City. Before the society erected a church here, they worshipped many times in the Striffler home which was thrown open with the generous hospitality of the pioneer days.

Mrs. Striffler was a good and kind mother and beloved by all her aquantances. She was at home by the bedside of the sick and delighted in all kind and neighborly deeds of helpfulness. Her life was one of usefullness. In such a death there is really no cause for grief. Her life work was done, and well done, and weary of suffering and waiting, she is now at rest.

The funeral service was held at the Evangelical church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. J.A. Schweitzer officiating. Interment was made in the family lot in Elkland cemetery.

Deceased is survived by two sons, Solomon and Samuel of Elkland township, one daughter, Mrs. Geo. Zinnecker of Owendale, two brothers Leonard Benkelman of Manitowoc, Wisc. and John Benkelman of Portage, Wisc., and two sisters, Mrs. Jno. Striffler and Mrs. M.M. Schwegler.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

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

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Louisa Striffler



(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

Married:
BonnieMargaret Jacobs wrote that Bob Benkelman had a copy of their marriage certificate from Lancaster, Erie County, NY. They were married by Reverand Christian Knapp, who had moved from W?rttemberg to Lancaster to head a Reformed congregation.

Louisa and Jacob had seven children in total, only three of whom survived into adulthood.

Johannes married Christine Barbara Buerk before 1865. 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.