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William David Striffler

Male 1866 - 1949  (82 years)


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  • Name William David Striffler  [1
    Born 21 Mar 1866  Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Died 5 Mar 1949  Plymouth, Wayne County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Buried Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Cass City Chronicle
      Cass City, Michigan, Dec. 21, 1928
      Page Five
      Where they will spend Christmas

      Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Striffler will have as guests on Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. ORR and children of Pigeon, Dr. and Mrs. William STURM and Miss Mary STRIFFLER of Detroit.

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

      Mr. and Mrs. George Southworth and family of Elkton visited at the home of Mrs. Southworth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Striffler.

      Cass City Chronicle
      Vol. 33, Number 50
      Friday, March 10, 1939

      Sunday visitors at the W. D. Striffler home were Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Orr and daughter, Marjorie, of Pigeon and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Southworth and son, Duane, of Elkton.

      Cass City Chronicle
      Friday, May 16, 1947
      Local News

      Mrs. E.B. GARDINER of Plymouth spent last Thursday and Friday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. STRIFFLER. Her nieces, Joyce and Jessie FRY, returned home with her and came to Cass City Saturday with their aunt, Mrs. Ione STURM, of Detroit.

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

      Mrs. Wilma FRY visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. STRIFFLER, in Plymouth Sunday.

      Cass City Chronicle
      Friday, March 11, 1949

      Elkland Pioneer Resident Died in Plymouth Saturday

      Funeral of William D. Striffler Conducted here Monday by Rev. S.P. Kirn

      William D. Striffler, a pioneer of the Elkland Township community, passed away early Saturday morning, March 5, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E.B. Gardiner of Plymouth, Mich. He had been ill about a month. Had he lived until March 21 next, he would have been 88 years of age.

      The body was brought to Little's Funeral Home here and at noon Monday was taken to the Evangelical United Brethern Church where it lay in state until 2:00 p.m. when funeral services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Stanley P. Kirn. Two quartet selections were sung by Donald Borg, Maurice Joos, B.A. Elliott and Joseph Benkelman, with Mrs. Maurice Joos as piano accompanist. Burial was made in Elkland cemetery.

      Six nephews of the deceased served as pallbearers. They were Delvin Striffler of Caro, Clark Helwig, Grant Patterson, and John Clark and Wallace Zinnecker.

      William David Stiffler was born March 21, 1866, in Sturgis, Mich., the son of the late Christian and Mary Rommel Stiffler. He came to Cass City with his parents when a small boy.

      Mr. Striffler was united in marriage in Cass City, on Dec. 6, 1892 with Miss Elizabeth Zinnecker. Following the marriage, they started housekeeping in Argyle, Michigan, where Mr. Striffler in company with his brother, Samuel, was engaged in a general merchandise business under the name of Striffler Bros. In 1900, having disposed of his interest in the Argyle store to his brother, Mr. Striffler purchased a farm in Elkland Township, a mile north and half mile east of Cass City. In 1923 the retired from farming and made Cass City their home. They went to Plymouth last fall to spend the winter months with their daughter.

      Mr. and Mrs. Stiffler celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1942. Mr. Striffler has been a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Cass City since 1909.

      Mr. Striffler leaves his widow, one son, Rev. Roy J. Striffler, of New Baltimore, Michigan; five daughters, Mrs. R.H. Orr of Pigeon, Mrs. Ione Strum of Detroit, Mrs. George Southworth of Elkton, Mrs. Wilma Fry of Cass City and Mrs. Gardiner of Plymouth; one brother, S.C. Striffler of Cass City; three sisters, Mrs. C.E. Patterson and Mrs. Edward Helwig, both of Cass City, and Mrs. Barbara Griffin of Alhambra, California; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Three sons, one brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

      [Note: A list of relatives and friends who attended the funeral was printed in the paper as well, but not transcribed]

      (Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)
    • (Research):
      Census Information:

      1900 Census
      Michigan, Sanilac, Argyle
      Enumerated 22 Jun 1900
      SD 7, ED 113, Sheet 10A, Stamped 10
      HH 182-186
      Striffler, William Hd W M M7 Mar 1867 Mich Germany Germany Dry Goods Merchant
      Striffler, Elizabeth Wf W F M7 4/4 Feb 1869 Germany Germany Germany
      Striffler, Ethel M Dtr W F Mar 1894 Mich Mich Germany
      Striffler, Daniel Son W M Oct 1895 Mich Mich Germany
      Striffler, Roy J Son W M Oct 1897 Mich Mich Germany
      Striffler, Ione C Dtr W F Apr 1900 Mich Mich Germany
      HH 184-188
      Samuel and Pauline Striffler & Family

      1910 Census
      Not Located

      1920 Census
      Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland
      Enumerated 21 January 1920
      SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 6A
      FM 123-126
      Striffler, William D Hd M W 53 M Mich France/German WurtembergGermany/German Farmer
      Striffler, Elizabeth Wife F M 50 M 1879 Na 1890 BarvariaGermany/German BavariaGermany/German
      Striffler, Daniel Son M W 24 S Mich Mich BavariaGermany/German Laborer
      Striffler, Florence Dtr F W 16 S Mich Mich BavariaGermany/German
      Striffler, Wilma Dtr F W 14 S Mich Mich BavariaGermany/German
      Striffler, Mary Dtr F W 11 S Mich Mich BavariaGermany/German
      Striffler, Delmar Son M W 8 S Mich Mich BavariaGermany/German
      Fm 124-127
      Jaus, John and Maud
      Fm 125-128
      John A. and Augusta Benkelman

      1930 Census
      Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Township, Cass City Village
      Enumerated April 11, 1930 by Helen Schwaderer
      ED 79-4, SD 11 Sheet 4B (bottom) and 5A (top), Stamped 188
      111-117
      Striffler, William D Hd O $1800 M W 64 M 26 Mich Alsace/Germany Germany Salesman Implements
      Striffler, Elizabeth Z Wf F W 60 M 23 Germany Germany Germany 1869 Na
      Striffler, Daniel Son M W 34 S Mich Mich Germany Painter Decorating (unemployed)
      Striffler, Delmar W Son M W 18 S Mich Mich Germany Printer's Devil Newspaper
    Person ID I24252  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 17 Aug 2014 

    Father Christian Striffler,   b. 8 Dec 1827, Kirberg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine, Imperial Territory Of Alsace-Lorraine, Elsa?-Lothringen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Feb 1911, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Mother Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel,   b. 8 Dec 1837, B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Oct 1911, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years) 
    Married 3 Jul 1856  White Pigeon, St. Joseph County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F5028  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Zinnecker,   b. 21 Sep 1869, Pirmasens, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Oct 1950, Oak Beach County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 6 Dec 1892  Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • Cass City Chronicle
      Friday, December 4, 1942

      Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Striffler to Celebrate Golden Wedding Sunday

      Mr. and Mrs. William David Striffler, well known residents of the Thumb district, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, December 6, at their home, corner of Main Street and Woodland Avenue. A dinner will be served the family at noon in the dining room of the Evangelical Church, and open house will be held from two to five o'clock in the home when friends may call to extend congratulations.

      Mr. Striffler was born March 21, 1866, at Sturgis and came with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Christian Stiffler, to a farm north of Elkland Cemetery when he was ten years of age. Two years later then moved to a farm 3 miles east and 1 1/4 miles north of Cass City, where his brother, Solomon C. Striffler, still lives.

      Mrs. Striffler, the former Elizabeth ZINNECKER, was born in Germany on September 21, 1869, and came to Ionia, Michigan, with her parents when she was about a year old.

      On December 6, 1892, she was married to W.D. Stiffler and they made their home at Argyle where for 22 years Mr. Stiffler and his brother, Samuel Striffler, owned and conducted a general store. In June, 1909, they bought and moved to a farm one mile north and one-half mile east of Cass City. Nineteen years agoa, Mr. and Mrs. Stiffler purchased the residence where they have since lived. Last year they sold their farm.

      Mr. and Mrs. Stiffler have five daughters and a son; Mrs. Robert ORR of Pigeon; Rev. Roy J. STIFFLER, pastor of the First Congregational Church at Geneva, Ohio; Mrs. Ione STURM, a registered pharmacist in Shettler's Drug Store, Detroit, Mrs. George SOUTHWORTH of Elkton; Mrs. Robert FRY of Cass City; and Mrs. Edward GARDINER of Plymouth. All the children are expected to be present at the gathering Sunday. There are also 13 grandchildren. One grandson, Robert ORR, is attending Maritime Naval School at Sheepshead Bay, New York.

      Although they might be classed among the older residents of Cass City, both appear as active as many who are years younger. Because of his independence, Mr. Striffler still spends his time helping nearby farmers and neighbors with odd jobs about their home.

      (Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

      Video telling the story of the William Striffler and Elizabeth Zinneceker, with narration and photos, as created and produced by their great-grandson, Don Staton, and great-great grandson Ben Staton, has been posted here:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB1_ix3C1Vw

      Family photos begin at about the 18 minute mark

    Children 
     1. Mary Ethel Striffler,   b. 28 Mar 1894, Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Mar 1967, Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years)
     2. Daniel Striffler,   b. Oct 1895, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1931, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 35 years)
     3. Rev. Roy Jacob Striffler,   b. 23 Oct 1897, Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Mar 1979, Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     4. Ione Katherine Striffler,   b. 19 Apr 1900, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jul 1974, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years)
     5. Florence Edna Striffler,   b. 12 Feb 1903, Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Apr 1999, Huron County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 96 years)
     6. Wilma Dorothy Striffler,   b. 3 Aug 1905, Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Jan 1970, Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years)
     7. Mary Elizabeth Striffler,   b. 4 Mar 1908, Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Jan 1997, Port Austin, Huron County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years)
     8. S. C. Striffler,   b. 22 Jun 1910, Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Jun 1910, Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     9. Delmar William Striffler,   b. 29 Aug 1911, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Dec 1932, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 21 years)
    Photos
    Striffler, William David and Elizabeth (Zinnecker) children, ca 1920
    Striffler, William David and Elizabeth (Zinnecker) children, ca 1920
    Top row, l to r, Sisters Florence, Ione, Wilma, Ethel, and Mary
    Botton row, l to r, Brothers Roy, Delmar, and Daniel Striffler
    Last Modified 5 May 2012 
    Family ID F9284  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 21 Mar 1866 - Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 6 Dec 1892 - Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 5 Mar 1949 - Plymouth, Wayne County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Documents
    Striffler-Benkelman Annual Labor Day Family Reunion, 1936 Newspaper article
    Striffler-Benkelman Annual Labor Day Family Reunion, 1936 Newspaper article
    In the mid 1850's, in Erie County, New York, two sons of Jacob & Otilla Striffler married two Benkelman sisters. Shortly after their marriages, the couples moved to the Michigan frontier, many of their brothers and sisters following them. The two families remained intertwined for subsequent generations. At a reunion of the Henry Striffler family in 1930 it was decided to enlarge the scope of the reunion to include descendants of Henry, Jacob, Joseph, Christian, John and Susan Striffler. Members and "in laws" of these families first gathered at the Assembly grounds in Sebewaing for a reunion in 1932. As the Benkelman-Striffler family had remained very close over the years, all branches of the Benkelman family were invited to their Sixth Reunion, and since that time it remained a joint event. This articles from the 1936 "Cass City Chronicle" details one of the earliest joint reunions. Attended by over 170 family members, the reunion was held on the John Striffler homestead northeast of Cass City, with attendees travelling from Ontario, Ohio and many places in Michigan. President W.D. STRIFFLER presided at a business meeting in 1936, and Harry HUNT, Mrs. S.G BENKELMAN (the former Mary Striffler), and Mrs. Ben SCHWEGLER (the former Joanna Mark) were elected officers for the ensuing year. The first volume of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST was published for the September 1936 reunion.

  • Sources 
    1. [S653] Cass City Chronicle, P.O. Box 115, Cass City, Michigan 48726, Published continously since 1899, archived from 1899 through 2005 at http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/, Friday, December 4, 1942 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S595] Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, (Family Publication, published sporadically to record family milestones in connection with the annual Striffler-Benkelman Family Reunions, with Vol. 1, Number 1, published Sept. 7, 1936. Issues on file at the Rawson Memorial Library in Cass City, Michigan include Vol. 5 (1941), Vol. 7 (1944) and Volumes 8 (1945) through Vol. 28 (1968). Issues published from 1961 through 1964 were not assigned volume numbers, and 1963 appears to be missing. Xeroxes of the existing issues were also made by Melinda McLemore Strong in 2007. According to a article published by the Cass City Chronicle on August 6, 1981, commemorating the Fiftieth and Final Striffler-Benkelman Reunion, the final issue of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST appears to have been Volume 28, published in 1968.), Volume 12, September 5, 1949. (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S653] Cass City Chronicle, P.O. Box 115, Cass City, Michigan 48726, Published continously since 1899, archived from 1899 through 2005 at http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/, Friday, March 11, 1949 (Reliability: 3).