Delmar S. Lenzner

Notes:

Volume 5 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated September 1, 1941, reported that Colonel Delmar Lenzner of the Coast Artillery lived in Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Volume 12 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 5, 1949, reported that he had retired from the U.S. Army in September, 1948, and he and Mrs. Lenzner were making their home in Hampton, Virginia.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 7, 1961
Page Three

Miss Gladys Lenzner received word of the death of her cousin, Colonel Delmar S. Lenzner (United States Army, retired). He died November 30 at his home in Hampton, Virginia, and leaves his widow and a sister, Mrs. Edgar T. Braun (Ruth) of Detroit. Col. Lenzner will be remembered by many Cass City residents.


(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, August 2008)

Delmar married Ethel Ganzell between 1945 and 1946. Ethel was born on 5 Sep 1904; died on 27 Sep 1993 in Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 9
September 2, 1946.

Marriages

Ethel Ganzell-Col. Delmar S. Lenzner


(Note, as both of their Social Security numbers were issued in Virginia, it is possible that this is where they met and married)

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 23, 1926
Vol. 22, No. 11

Samuel Lenzner Passed Away Tuesday

Samuel Lenzner, who spent his boyhood days here and later became a member of the firm of Lenzner Bros., furniture dealers at Cass City, passed away at his home in Detroit Tuesday evening, at the age of 65 years. Funeral services were held at the family residence at 1226 Hubbard Ave., Thursday. The remains will be brought to Cass City over the P.O. & N. R. R. this (Friday) afternoon and will be taken directly from the depot to Elkland cemetery for interment. Members of the Tyler Lodge, F. & A. M., will conduct the Masonic burial service at the cemetery.

Samuel Lenzner was born in Lancaster, N.Y., on June 30, 1861, and came to Cass City with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, sr., when he was 12 years of age. He was united in marriage with Miss Mamie Feuchtwanger at Cass City and a few years later they move to Detroit where Mr. Lenzner entered the employment of Michigan Central R.R. as a cabinet maker in their Detroit carshops. This month, he completed a service of 40 years with that company , a service which he performed most faithfully and efficiently and which was recognized by his promotion to foreman, general foreman, master car builder and superintendent of rolling stock. Mr. Lenzner was a member of Zion Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M., at Detroit and was affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons.

Besides his widow and two children, Delmar Lenzner of Wilmington, N.C., and Mrs. Edgar Braun of Detroit, he leaves three brothers and one sister, C.O. Lenzner, Frank Lenzner and Miss Emma Lenzner, all of Cass City, and John Lenzner of Gagetown.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit, Ward 16
Enumerated 13 June 1900
SD 116 ED 167 Sheet 18A
757 311-313
Lenzner, Sam Hd W M June 1861 38 M 14 NY Germany France Foreman Car Shop Cabinet Work
Lenzner, Mary Wf W F Dec 1862 37 M14 2/2 Florida Germany Germany
Lenzner, Delmar S Son W M Sept 1888 11 S Mich NY Florida At School
Lenzner, Ruth H Dtr W F May 1892 S Mich NY Florida At School
Feuchtwanger, Lena Mother-in-law W F Oct 1838 61 Wd 2/2 Germany Germany Germany 1845

1910 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit, Ward 16
Enumerated 21 April 1910
SD 1 ED 235 Sheet 7B
Morrell St
757-129-135
Lenzner, Samuel Hd M W 48 M1 24 NY German Germany France French General Foreman Railroad? Shop
Lenzner, Mamie Wf F W 47 M1 24 2/2 Florida Germany German Germany German
Lenzner, Delmar S Son M W 21 S Mich NY Florida
Lenzner, Ruth H Dtr Dtr F W 17 S Mich NY Florida
Feuchtwanger, Lena Mother-in-law F W 72 W 2/2 Germany German Germany German Germany German 1855

Samuel married Mary "Mamie" Feuchtwanger on 4 Feb 1886 in Tuscola County, Michigan. Mary was born on 12 Dec 1862 in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida; died on 4 Aug 1942 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 7, 1942

Mrs. Samuel Lenzner

Mrs. Samuel Lenzner died at her home at 1226 Hubbard Avenue, Detroit, Sunday morning. Funeral services were held at the Hamilton Funeral Home in that city Tuesday morning by the Rev. Tracy Pullman and the remains were brought to Cass City where they lay in state at the MacPhail & Keehn Funeral Home for a short time before the burial service at Elkland Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Stanley P. Kirm of Cass City.

Mamie Feuchtwanger, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Feuchtwanger, was born in Tallahassee, Florida, on December 12, 1862. She came with her parents from Saginaw to Cass City in 1876 and taught in the rural schools of Greenleaf township before her marriage to Samuel Lenzner on February 4, 1886. They moved to Detroit in June, 1886. Mr. Lenzner passed away in that city in August, 1926.

Mrs. Lenzner was a member of the Church of Our Father, corner of Cass and Forest Avenue, Detroit, a life member of Sampson Chapter, O.E.S. and a past matron of Hayward Chapter, O.E.S.

She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Edgar G. Braun, of Detroit, with whom she made her home; a son, Col. Delmar Lenzner, of Fort Monroe, Virginia, and a grandson, Edgar Braun, Jr., a student at Wayne University.

Besides the immediate family, those who came from out of town to attend the burial service here were Mrs. W.S. Gillies and the Misses Chrystal and Marian Read of Detroit and Dr. and Mrs. Grey F. Lenzner of Bad Axe.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit Ward 14, Precinct 2
Enumerated April 10, 1930
ED 82-414 SD 20th Sheet 8B
Hubbard Avenue
1226-49-44
Braun, Edgar G Hd O $20,000 M W 34 M 26 NY Canada German En
g Canada German Eng Attorney at Law Law
Braun, Ruth L Wf F W 37 M 29 Mich NY Florida
Braun, Edgar G Son M W 5 S Mich NY Mich
Lenzner, Mamie Mother-in-law F W 67 Wd Florida Germany Germany
Murn, Bertha Servant F W 52 S Mich GermanyBerlin Germany Berlin Servant Private Family

Notes:

Letter from Walter Gramble (1938), reprinted in The Way It Was, publication of The Cass City Historical Society:

"Then came Oscar Lenzner and his furniture store and factory, his wonderful family of boys, his ingenuity and his music, his glowing tales of far away Austria and its glittering capital Vienna, which he very properly insisted was 'Wa-en-a'. he made furniture, he made musical instruments and could play them. His banjo-guitararina, invented, made and played by himself was worth a chapter in the history of Cass City."

Cass City Enterprises
Vol. XVI. No. 17
April 1, 1897.
Page One

Just before noon to-day, Franklin Lenzner went into his father's shop at his residence on Oak Street and was startled to find the old gentleman fallen upon his face. He was at once cared for and medical aid summoned but all efforts failed to resuscitate him. Oscar Lenzner, Sen., was a native of Germany, but has resided here for many years and has a wide circle of friends, his reputation as a manufacturer of stringed musical instruments being widespread. He was about seventy-three years of age and has been quite active up to the time of his death, being still able to make the very finest inlaid work. Further particulars will be given next week. The cause of his death was paralysis.

Cass City Enterprises
Vol. XVI. No. 18
April 8, 1897.
Page Eight

A Sudden Call

As stated in our last issue, Oscar Lenzner, Sr., suddenly expired on Thursday, the 1?sup?st?/sup? inst., from a stroke of paralysis. Between the hours of ten and eleven that morning, his son, Franklin, was at work at the turning lathe at their workshop on Main Street, and had nearly completed the job he was at when he felt a sudden impulse to go to his father's. Making an excuse to his brother, he went to the house and meeting his mother at the kitchen door, asked if his father was in the shop. His mother replied that he was and they went towards the door which stood open and before entering they saw him lying face downward on the floor. It seems that Mrs. Lenzner had stepped outside a few moments previously for a pail of water and it is thought he must have fallen while she was out. His forehead struck against some coarse chips which cut quite an ugly gash. The doctor was at once summoned but life was extinct. He had three strokes of paralysis previous to this time and it was feared he would go in this manner.

Deceased was born Feb. 14?sup?th?/sup?, 1825, in Leubetha, Saxony, Germany. There he learned the art of making violins and he had ever since taken a special pride in the manufacture of stringed instruments. In the year 1849 he came to America, taking up his residence at Lancaster, N.Y. On June 20, 1853, he was married to Susanna Striffler and came to Cass City in June, 1873. He conducted the furniture store on Main Street, until in more recent years his sons have managed it. Samuel and John are now in Detroit, while Oscar and Franklin are still in the business started by their father. Some years ago deceased secured a patent on a musical instrument called the banjo-guitarina and has since paid especial attention to its manufacture. He also invented what is known as "Kings David's harp" and made guitars, banjos, dulcimers, autoharps, etc. His mechanical ability was of a high order, his ideal of work being that of the true artist:--"Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." Into every bit of work he did he put his heart. He has spent twenty-five years in this community and we will not again see his equal. Besides the four sons, already mentioned, a widow and daughter survive.

The funeral services were held at the house Sunday morning and were conducted by Rev. B. J. Baxter, of the Presbyterian Church assisted by Rev. B. F. Wade, late of the Evangelical Church, Elkton. The services were attended by a large company of relatives and friends many of whom also followed the remains to the Elkland cemetery. He will be missed, not only by our citizens, but by many others, especially amongst the commercial travelers, who were in the habit of visiting his home when in town. He is gone, but the sweet strains of music he has produced still ring in the souls of hundreds.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Christian married Susanna Catharina Striffler on 20 Jun 1853 in Erie County, New York. Susanna (daughter of Jacob Anton Striffler and Ottila "Odila" "Otil" Zimmerman) was born on 6 Aug 1823 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany; died on 28 Apr 1905 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, October 29, 1915
Colwood

Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Lenzner and little daughter, Mrs. C.O. Lenzner, Miss Emma Lenzner of Cass City and Mrs. Samuel Lenzner of Detroit were Colwood visitors Friday night.

Cass City Chronicle
May 5, 1905, page 1

Pioneer Passed Away

Another pioneer has passed away in the person of Mrs. Susan Lenzer, who died at her home at the corner of Oak and Pine streets, last Friday evening, April 28.

Mrs. Lenzer, nee Striffler, was born Aug. 6, 1823, in the province of Lorraine, then a part of France but now a part of Germany. When she was six years of age her parents sailed for America ans settled near Lancaster, New York. In 1853 she was married to C.O. Lenzer, Sr. To this union five children were born, all of whom survive. In 1873 the family moved to Cass City, where Mr. Lenzer entered into the furniture business and continued the same for many years. He died in 1897.

At an early age Mrs. Lenzer joined the Reformed church and has lived a consistent Christian life and followed the teaching of the Golden Rule. For some years she has been in feeble health and was very ill the two weeks preceding her death. Her departure is mourned by a host of relatives and friends in whose estimation she was held in high esteem. Five children--Miss Emma, C.O. and Franklin of this place, John of Gagetown and Samuel of Detroit, and two brothers, John and Christian Striffler of Cass City, survive.

The funeral services were held at the residence Sunday Afternoon, Rev. Berge officiating, and the remains interred in the Elkland cemetery. The out of town relatives present were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lenzer of Detroit, John Lenzer of Gagetown, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Striffler and W. D. Striffler of Argyle.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Census
Oscar Sr. LENSPAER Self M Male W 54 SAXONY Cabinet Maker SAXONY SAXONY
Susanna LENSPAER Wife M Female W 56 FRANCE Keeping House FRA. FRA.
John LENSPAER Son S Male W 23 NY Cabinet Maker SAXONY FRA.
Franklin LENSPAER Son S Male W 21 NY Carpenter SAXONY FRA.
Samuel LENSPAER Son S Male W 19 NY Carpenter SAXONY FRA.
Emma LENSPAER Dau S Female W 16 NY At School SAXONY FRA.
Source Information:
Census Place Cass City, Tuscola, Michigan
Family History Library Film 1254607
NA Film Number T9-0607
Page Number 100D

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City Village
Enumerated 8 June 1900 by A.D. Gallis
SD 8 ED 11 Sheet 5A Stamped 119
Pine Street
96-99
Lenzner, Susan Hd W F Jan 183 (sic) ?? W 47 5/5 Germany Germany Germany 1830 70
Lenzner, Emma Dtr W F Jun 1863 36 S NY Germany Germany Dress Maker
Linzner, John Border W M Oct 1847 52 S Ny Germany Germany Day Laborer

Notes:

According to the Rev. Roy J. Striffler, the Striffler's emigrated from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France to New York State in 1830. They were part of the German-speaking population of Alsace. Some of the older Striffler family members recalled a family joke---there were 11 boys in the family, and all of them had a sister Susanna. She married Christian Oscar Lenzner. Family genealogists have only been able to account for eight of the 12 children however. Two of the boys married Benkelman sisters. One son married Mary Rommel, and as there were several Benkelman/Rommel marriages as well, the two families became further intertwined.

Although the family originally settled in New York only Jacob's son David remained in New York. Peter pushed further west, to Kansas. Around 1880, most of the others settled in Cass City, Michigan, where they lived until their deaths. They cut off the stumps remaining on the land they built and turned the wilderness into fruitful farm land.

(Excerpted from Art Peck's THE TEN BENKELMANS WHO EMIGRATED TO AMERICA. He in turn references a September 4, 1950 article from the "Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast", Volume 13, Cass City, Michigan)

Both the flyleaf of the Striffler family Bible, and the tombstone of Jacob Striffler in Lancaster, showed him to be be born in Kirrberg, "departmente de Rhein." (Jacobs, p. 164). In the chapter on the Striffler family in her unpublished 1981 manuscript, BonnieMargaret Jacobs noted that widely spread family stories stated that the Striffler family originated in Switzerland (p. 164). It would appear these were either errorneous, or that the family moved from Switzerland to Alsace.


BonnieMargaret Benkelman Jacobs, in an undated family report she prepared for some of the descendants of the Striffler brothers who married Benkelmann sisters, wrote that birth records had been of the children born to Jacob and Otillia "Have been extracted from the French civil records and translated, and show 8 children born in France, two of whom died while still just children (one was only 15 months old, the other just a few months past their sixth birthday). She stated that "these official civil records support the oft repeated family joke, "There are seven brothers and each one has a sister." On page 165 of her unpublished 1981 manuscript documenting the Benkelman family, she repeated this saying, adding however that "one Striffler heard the riddle with 11 brothers and it should be noted that there is still much to be learned about this family."

With the records in France showing 8 children were born there, and census records show two known children born in the United States, it appears we can account for 10 of the 11. It is possible that records may be uncovered one day to find the final child, or that this final son may have been stillborn or died at a young age, and his memory passed down only through the family joke or riddle.

Jacob married Ottila "Odila" "Otil" Zimmerman on 4 Nov 1809 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany. Ottila was born on 10 Nov 1790 in Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany; died on 17 Sep 1863 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her father was a school master.

(Research):

Census Listings;

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
Not located