Herbert Frank Lenzner

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, February 13, 1953
Vol. 47, Number 42

H.F. Lenzner Dies Saturday after Short Illness

Herbert F. Lenzner, editor and publisher of the Cass City Chronicle for 47 years and an admired and respected member of the Cass City community, died Saturday afternoon at the Pleasant Home Hospital.

According to physician's report, Mr. Lenzner died from the effects of a coronary occlusion, suffered Monday afternoon while returning from a business trip to Saginaw.

He was prominent in civic activities throughout his long career in Cass City. He served as village clerk in 1908-07 and was active in the Tuscola County Republican Party.

He was a life member of Tyler Lodge F. & A.M., receiving his certificate Sept. 5, 1943. He was a charter member of the Cass City Rotary Club and served as its president in 1929 and held various other responsible positions in the club.

He was one of the original members of the board of directors when the Pinney State Bank was organized as a state bank in 1921 and served as vice president of the organization from 1925 until the time of his death.

He spent his entire life in printing and newspaper work. As a young man he worked in a printing office in Cass City and later spent a short time working in the Detroit Times composing room.

He returned to Cass City and purchased the Tri-County Chronicle in February, 1904, from Frederick Klump. Two years later he bought the Cass City Enterprise from A.A.P. McDowell and consolidated the two papers under the name of the Cass City Chronicle.

He served on the local school board at the time when the new school building was erected.

He was a member of the EUB Church from early manhood and served on the board of directors for over 25 years.

Mr. Lenzner was born Dec. 13, 1879, in Cass City, the son of the late C.O. Lenzner and Sophia Ahr Lenzner. He married Mollie Ackerman June 10, 1909 in Cass City.

Surviving, besides Mrs. Lenzner, are: two daughters, Mrs. Gordon Thomas, of East Lansing, and Mrs. J. Franklin Deck of Grand Island, N.Y.; six grandchildren, one niece and four nephews, all of Algonac.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Rev. S.R. Wurtz, pastor of the EUB Church, and Rev. Melvin R. Vender, pastor of the Cass City Presbyterian Church, officiated at the ceremony.

Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

(Research):Census Information:

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated 30 Apr 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 11B
Main Street
267-294
Lenzner, Herbert F Hd M W 30 M1 1 Mic NY Pa Propritor Printing Office
Lenzner, Mollie Wf F W 24 M1 1 Mich Germany Germany

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, Village of Cass City
Enumerated 10 and 12 January 1920
SD 7 ED 179 Sheet 4B
Main Street
94-98
Lenzner, Herbert L Hd M W 40 M Mich NY Pa Editor Local Paper
Lenzner, Mollie M Wf F W 34 M Mich Wurtenburg/German Switzerland/German
Lenzner, Phyllis M Dtr F W 6 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland twp, Cass City Village
Enumerated April 12, 1930 by Helen G. Schwaderer
ED 79-11 SD 11 Sheet 5A Stamped 188
East Main Street
119-125
Lenzner, Herbert F Hd O $5000 M W 50 M29 Mich NY Pa Proprietor Newspaper
Lenzner, Mollie M Wife F W 44 M23 Mich Germany Switzerland Office Asst Newspaper
Lenzner, Phyllis M Dtr F W 16 S Mich Mich Mich
Lenzner, Shirley A Dtr F W 10 S Mich Mich Mich

Herbert married Mollie M. Ackerman on 10 Jun 1909 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Mollie (daughter of William Akerman and Marie Wittwer) was born on 18 Sep 1885 in Minden City, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 20 May 1965 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 23 May 1965 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
June 2, 1939
Local Items
Page 3

Miss Phyllis M. Lenzner is expected home today after finishing a year as teacher in the Wayne Public School. She returns to the same location next fall.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 6, 1956
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Thomas and children, David and Kathleen, of Lansing visited Mrs. Thomas' mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, from Thursday morning until Saturday night.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Phyllis married Gordon Lawrie Thomas on 21 Jun 1941 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Gordon was born on 4 Dec 1914; died on 15 Oct 1997; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 5 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, published September 1, 1941, reported that Shirley Anne Lenzner was graduated with honor June 9, 1941 by North Central College, Napierville, Illinois. Shirley had also accepted a position in the Wayne Public Schools.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 6, 1956
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items
Page Four

Rev. and Mrs. J. Franklin Beck and four sons of Grand Island, N.Y., came Sunday night and visited Mrs. Beck's mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, until Wednesday morning. Mrs. Lenzner accompanied them home to spend a week.

In 1966, while living in Akron, Ohio, she wrote this letter to the editors of the Cass City Chronicle to accompany her subscription renewal:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Haire,

I am including this personal note, because the experience of subscribing to the Cass City Chronicle is so unique that I cannot let it pass by casually.

By virtue of being born in the bedroom in the apartment just above the "big press", I suppose that since my first moments on earth I have heard the rumble of printing machinery, and have always been sure that a little printers' ink was mixed with my blood.

My first 17 years in Cass City were intertwined with the Chronicle schedule, and I can remember well the various assignments of bringing papers from the folder, labeling, delivering to the post office, writing out liners and subscription renewals, proof-freading, and eventually writing copy.

After school days ans marriage, my physical closeness with the Chronicle naturally ceased, but the weekly issues have followed me and been read regularly in Illinois, New York, and now in Ohio.

When Dad and Mother sold to you folks 15 years ago, it was almost like parting with a member of the family. However, the move was a wise one, and we have all been pleased with the very harmonious way in which the Haire-Lenzner relations have continued since then.

The death of both of my parents wevers my most important ties in Cass City. One cannot easily dismiss sentimental associations that abruptly, however, and there are still many people in Cass City about which I care.

So please apply the enclosed check of $4.00 on our Chronicle subscription for the coming year. I can't say goodbye to that part of my life yet.

Sincerly,
Shirley Lenzer Beck
1040 Oak Tree Rd.
Akron, Ohio 44320

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, November 21, 1984
Page Two

Shirley Lenzner Beck, 64, died Sunday, Nov. 11, at her home in Lakeside, Ohio. She was the daughter of Herb and Mollie Lenzner, former owners and publishers of the Chronicle.

Born Feb. 8, 1920, she graduated from Cass City High School.

Shirley is survived by her husband, the Rev. J. Franklin Beck, retired pastor of the United Methodist Chruch in New York and Ohio parishes.

She leaves five sons, several grandchildren and a sister, Phyllis Lenzner Thomas of East Lansing.

Those who wish may send a contribution to the Lakeside United Methodist Church, Lakeside, Ohio 43440, who will share with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Foundation.

A memorial service was held in the Lakeside United Methodist Church, Sunday, Nov. 18.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Shirley married Rev. J. Franklin Beck after 1941. J. was born on 5 Nov 1916 in New York; died on 3 Apr 1999 in Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]