Anna Catharina Schaufele

Notes:

As noted in the "Memoirs of John A. Benkelman" by Hilda Jane Stickley Benkelman, when Catherine and Adam first immigrated to the United States, they lived with her brother Johann Scheifle in Erie County New York. I was, however, unable to locate a Johann/John Scheifle on either the 1850 or 1860 census. I did find a Gottlieb Scheifly on both however.

Hilda Jane further wrote that "Catherine was a favorite in the community. She was jolly and fat, a very good cook of German style dishes, and a mother to everyone in the neighborhood. A good midwife, she was called in by the neighbors in case of sickness or for confinements as there were few doctors around at that time. She helped bring more than 100 babies into the world. "

Catherine made a home for her nephew, Leonard Buerhly, when he first came to Cass City. Leonard was the son of her sister Marie.

Cass City Chronicle
November 1, 1901
Local Mention, Page Eight

Grandma Benkelman has rented her property on East Houghton Street and has disposed of all her household goods and will henceforth make her home with Mrs. Lena Schwegler.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 28, 1906

Died Suddenly

Mrs. Catherine Benkelman, aged eighty-three years, died suddenly at her home on East Main street Sunday evening, December 23. While eating with Mrs. M. M. Schwegler she suddenly became unconscious from which condition she did not recover. She has been troubled with heart disease for many years.

Catherine Scheifele was born August 23, 1823 in Boertlingen, Germany. In the year 1837 she was confirmed. She was united in marriage to Adam Benkelman in Germany in 1851 and they came to America the same year, living in Bowmansville, N.Y., until 1865. That year they came to Cass City, residing on a farm northeast of town. By hard work and frugal living Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman acquired a goodly portion of property and in 1884 they retired from active life and move to town to spend their remaining days. Mr. Benkelman died nine year ago on the 27?sup?th?/sup? of December and nearly ever since that time Mrs. Benkelman had resided with Mrs. M.M. Schwegler on east Main street, the ladies enjoying each other's companionship to the fullest extent. Mr. and Mrs. Benkelman were the parents of seven children, one daughter dying at the age of fifteen. The remaining children, five sons and one daughter, are: George A. of St. Francis, Kansas, William F. of Owosso, Benjamin F., Samuel G. and John A. Benkelman and Mrs. Louisa Schwegler of this place. She also leaves twenty-five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

All her children were present at the funeral services which took place Thursday forenoon at the Evangelical church of which the deceased was an honored and beloved member, and the burial was made in Elkland cemetery. The pallbearers were five sons and a grandson, W.J. Schwegler. The funeral service was largely attended.

Mrs. Benkelman was a lady of beautiful character, loving and kind in disposition and will be missed by many who found in her a good neighbor and friend.

Detail of Death Certificate: Tuscola County, Village of Cass City, CATHERINE BENKELMAN, Female, White, DOB 23 Aug 1823, 83 yrs, 4 mos, 0 days, Married at age 28 years, parent of 7 children, 6 living, Born Germany, Father Schifley, Germany, Mother Not Known, Occupation Housewife, Informant J.A. Benkelman, DOD 23 Dec 1906, Attending Physician W.W. Wickwars, Cass City, Dates December 1904 to Dec 23, 1906 last seen alive on Dec 23 at 6 pm, Burial Elkland Dec 27, 1906, Undertaker H Polk Cass City

A copy can be seen here:

http://seekingmichigan.org/

Indexed as Catheren Benkelman

(Research):

Census Records, her brother??

1850 US Census
New York Erie County Buffalo Ward 4 23 Aug 1850 ---
1808 Gottlieb Scheifly 25 M Shoemaker Germany
Maria Scheifly 24 F Germany
Georg Scheifly 2 M New York

1860 US Census
New York Erie County Bowmansville
725-725 Godlip Sheifley 35 M Shoemaker $500 Germany
Mary Sheifley 34 F Baden
George Shufley 12 M NY
John " 10 M NY
Godlip " 7 M NY
William " 5 M NY
Frederick " 2 M NY
Charles Fink 19 M Shoemaker Germany
Christina Shufly 17 F NY


Gottlieb would have been born ca. 1825. Kathy Bonnell's transcription of Baptismal records do not show a son named Gottlieb born at that time. Catherine did have a brother Johannes born ca. 1828. Could his middle name be Gottlieb? Could he be the child named Gottlob born ca 1830? The baptismal records, however, show that son died ca. 1843.

Anna married Johann Adam Benkelman on 24 Feb 1851 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany. Johann (son of Johann Leonhard Benkelmann and Maria Dorothea St?hle) was born on 13 Feb 1825 in Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 30 Dec 1897 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 2 Jan 1898 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

George was the first Benkelman born in the United States. He was born only a few weeks after Adam and Catherine arrived.

In her history of the Colorado and Nebraska Benkelman's, Margaret "Bonnie" Jacob wrote that George Adam Benkelman was living with his family in Cass City, Michigan when his Uncle, "Big George" Benkelman, contacted him about going into the cattle business with him in Colorado. Just 19 years old, and eager to get on with his life, "Little George" eagerly accepted. It was 1870 when he arrived in Denver. Big George explained to him the need for a relocation of the cattle herd. Little George saddled his horse and rode from Denver to the Kansas-Colorado state line and down the south fork of the Republican River. Just inside the state line he lay in a draugh and watched an entire hunting party of Cheyenne Indians cross the river and continue riding south. He knew that if they saw him that he was dead. Luckily, he continued on his journey, but traveled cautiously from then on. He returned to Denver drawing to a close his 400 mile horseback trip.

Little George set out on a second trip east to find line camp headquarters for the Benkelman Ranch. When George Adam Benkelman viewed the valley of the south fork of the Republican River, he saw a carpet of buffalo grass about 8 inches high. It was lush and beautiful with very few trees. The stream trickled across the prairie aimlessly. One did not have to travel very far in either direction to find a bleak desolate land with no water and absolutely no trees. The visibility on a clear day was for miles. There were no buildings except for the deserted stage station which was made of sod. There was not yet to be a fence on the prairie. This trip he traveled much the same route as the first trip only he continued down the south fork of the Republican into Nebraska Territory and back down through what is now Oberlin and on to what is now Ellis, Kansas just west of Hays. Indians were encountered several times on this trip and several skirmishes took place. He returned to Denver with the location selected on the south fork of the Republican River just inside the state line of Kansas. The journey encompassed approximately 800 miles on horseback.

In 1874, Big George, Little George, Jake Haigler, Ben and Jim Morning and a handful of cowboys moved the Benkelman herd to the selected area in 34-4-42 Kansas. Big George returned to Denver. Little George, Jake Haigler and the Mornings looked after the herd. A sod house was built and the ranch was named the JC Ranch. The grazing lands included northeastern Colorado, Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas lands. Large herds of 5,000 to 20,000 head of cattle were run on this range.

George Adam generally kept 10 cowboys, but during round-up and branding time the number would increase to 30. The closest place for the cowboys to purchase supplies was the Roubidoux Store at Fort Wallace, which was 70 miles away. The trip was made about 3 times a year. A guard was posted at Fort Wallace to prevent trail herds being driven north from Texas from taking strays belonging to the Benkelmans.

Jake Haigler was the foreman on the JC. Realizing that other large cattle companies might move in, George Adam urged Jake to from a cattle company up north to prevent a squeeze. Jake went to Missouri in 1875 for 1 year and then returned and formed a cattle company. The Haigler, Aix, Perkins Cattle Company was made up of family and friends. In 1876, he established on the Arickaree Forks in Nebraska.

The winters in western Kansas were extremely cold. The location of the line camp was straight west of the deserted station 20 on the Pikes Peak Leavenworth Trail. The road to Denver lead home for George Adam. On his trips home, he always stayed at the Benkelman residence.

One particular trip in 1877 proved to be a turning point in his life. The guest of honor at the Benkelman house was Mary Barbara Rommel, Christine's sister. She had been in America only five years.

When John George and George Adam returned to the range in 1878, they moved the headquarters of the ranch down the Republican River seven miles for better hay meadows and springs. The Benkelman Ranch was headquartered up the river from Wano. The exact location was 11-4-41. The new operation was called the T Wrench Ranch because of the brand. The new headquarters consisted of a row of 3 sod houses, an underground storage room, a blacksmith shop, sod barn 20x90 for 22 horses, 11 stalls for two horses each. The roof was made of tree limbs and hay. The corral was 204 square feet.

On January 6, 1880, George Adam Benkelman was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Rommel at the Benkelman residence in Denver. The ranching business had been quite prosperous. George Adam longed for Mary Barbara to be by his side. Their first child, Lottie, was born October 24, 1880 in Denver, as was their son Frank. George and Barbara were living with George and Christina at the time of the 1880 census.

George Adam loaded his family into a wagon and moved from Denver to the JC Ranch in September 1886. Mary Barbara had to be surprised when she saw her new home. It was a small sod hut absolutely colorless with no trees or landscaping. Water had to be hauled from the river, which was only a few steps away. The outdoor privy was not constructed until shortly before she arrived. The inside of the soddie allowed no frills. The walls were plastered with a limestone mixture. She had brought her cookstove from Denver. Wood and cow chips had to be gathered from the offerings of the prairie. One always felt better when there was a stash of chips piled not to far from the house, because of the severe winters. It is amazing what she did with the one room soddie with a few curtains and well spaced colored articles. Life was hard for the pioneers, but Mary Barbara never complained. She tended her family with all the grace and charm with which she had been endowed. Two more children were born, Charles in 1888 and George Albert in 1890. They were the first children born on the ranch.

The ranch cook was Billy Walsh of Irish descent. He had hunted buffalo on the prairies since 1872. A.W. Tip Spencer worked for the Benkelman's since 1877. Other ranch hands were John Burgwald, Ben Benkelman, Lee Bright, Mart Tscheudy, Walter Tovey, Harry Strangeways, John Chandler, George Fahrion, Wallace Clow, Emmet Vandergrift and Elmer Tabor. During the roundup season, the cowboys slept on the ground.

The following was published in the Cass City Enterprise, August 10, 1893, Vol. XII, No. 35:

"Geo. A. Benkelman, of Jaqua, Kansas, is here on a visit to his father, Adam Benkelman, and brothers. Mr. Benkelman reports the wheat crop in his vicinity this season is about as light as is the money crop the U.S. over."

In 1894, the George Adam Benkelmans moved to St. Francis, Kansas after he was elected County Clerk. He served in that capacity until 1904, when he resigned to enter other business opportunities. In 1905, he was appointed postmaster in St. Francis. He served until 1915. He was enroute to California when he suffered a stroke. He died in Alhambra, California, February 10, 1929 at age 77. His wife had died earlier, on May 18, 1928, at age 75, in St. Francis. She was stricken with apoplexy and never regained consciousness before she passed away.

The following biography was transcribed from "A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans," written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. [Revised ed.] Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1919, c1918. 5 v. (xlviii, 2530 p., [155] leaves of plates): ill., maps (some fold.), ports.; 27 cm.

GEORGE ADAM BENKELMAN. One historical account states that the first cattle ranch in Cheyenne County was established in the year 1876, but there were no really permanent settlements made for several years after that. These facts give interesting prominence to the career of George A. Benkelman, a well known business man and citizen of St. Francis, who by every right and propriety may be regarded as the real pioneer and first permanent settler of the county, since he was herding cattle on the range in this northwestern corner of Kansas in the year 1876. At that time the frontier was exposed to danger from Indians, who were still numerous and many of them hostile, and there were many more buffaloes to be seen on the prairies than native cattle.

Few men still living have had more intimate contact with the life and times of the old West than George Adam Benkelman. He was born at Lancaster in Erie County, New York, September 7, 1851. His father, Adam Benkelman, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, in 1830, grew up and married in that kingdom, learned the trade of cooper, and in 1851 brought his family to the United States and settled at Bowmansville, New York. He was a cooper there and in 1865 went to Michigan, where he was both a cooper and farmer. He died at Cass City, Michigan, in 1901. On getting his first papers as an American citizen he affiliated with the democratic party but became a republican later through his admiration of President Lincoln. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Adam Benkelman married Christina Schifely, who was born in Wuertemberg in 1826 and died at Cass City, Michigan, in 1910. George Adam was the oldest of their children; Louise is still living in Cass City, Michigan, widow of Andrew Schwegler, who was a farmer there; John also lives on a farm in Cass City; S. G. is a carpenter and farmer at Cass City; W. F. is bookkeeper for a lumber firm in Detroit; and B. F. is a general merchant at Cass City.

Thus of all the family George Adam Benkelman has shown the most enterprise in breaking away from home ties and discovering new fields of conquest in remote districts. He got his education in the public schools of Cass City but at the age of nineteen started out to make his own way in the world. His journeyings soon brought him into the far West and he had an extensive experience as a cowboy in Colorado and along the Western Kansas line. When he was in Cheyenne County in 1876 he had no neighbor nearer than Fort Wallace, seventy-five miles away. He ran his herd of cattle over a domain of country unvexed by wire fence or any other civilized obstruction and made no attempt to secure a more permanent location until the spring of 1888, when he took advantage of the homestead laws and filed upon a quarter section and also a timber claim. The homestead was his place of residence and center of operations until the spring of 1894. Some years later he sold that quarter section.

In the fall of 1893 Mr. Benkelman was elected county clerk of Cheyenne County, and his official duties brought him to St. Francis. He was county clerk for eleven consecutive years. In 1905 President Roosevelt appointed him postmaster of St. Francis, and that office kept him as its incumbent by successive appointments until July, 1915. In the meantime he was identified with all the progressive movements for the upbuilding of his home town. For several years he clerked in a general merchandise store in St. Francis and also owns a farm of 160 acres near St. Francis and thirty-three acres adjoining the town. He is president of the Herald Publishing Company. Mr. Benkelman's home is a modern residence remodeled in 1905, and it stands upon a considerable plat of ground. Politically he is a republican and is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also served as noble grand of Rising Star Lodge of Odd Fellows, and is a past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at St. Francis.

In January, 1880, at Denver, Colorado, Mr. Benkelman married Miss Mary B. Rommel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rommel, both now deceased. To their marriage were born four children: Lottie C., a graduate of the Cheyenne County High School and of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and is at home with her parents; Frank B. is a graduate of the County High School and of the School of Pharmacy of Kansas City, Missouri, and is a registered pharmacist at Kansas City; Charles A. graduated in pharmacy in the Kansas University and is connected with a general store at McDonald, Kansas; George A., Jr., is a dentist, a graduate of the Western Dental College of Kansas City, Missouri, and while his home and professional office are at St. Francis, he was with the United States Army on professional duty at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. "

Cass City Chronicle
July 15, 1927

Mr. and Mrs. George Benkelman, Miss Lottie Benkelman, and Dr. and Mrs. Albert Benkelman, all of St. Francis, Kansas, are guests at the Benjamin F. Benkelman home and are also visiting other relatives in this community. George Benkelman is a brother of John, Samuel and Benjamin Benkelman and lived in Elkland Township when a lad in the late sixties. He left her in 1870 for the West and has spent most of the years since that date in Kansas.

(Research):Cemetery Records:

Benjamin, Orvil B., 12 May 1897--02 Aug 1969,
s/o Alvin Benjamin and Gertrude ROSHONG

Benkelman, George Adam, 07 Sept 1851--10 Feb 1929, h/o Mary B. ROMMEL,
s/o Adam Benkelman and Catherine SCHEULFE

Benkelman, George Albert, 13 Oct 1890--23 Dec 1973, h/o Ruth M.
LOCKWOOD, s/o George A. Benkelman and Mary B. ROMMEL

Benkelman, Lottie Christine, 24 Oct 1880--01 Jun 1956,
w/o Farmer L. Shields and William M. Ball,
d/o George A. Benkelman and Maria B. ROMMEL

?u??/u?

St.Francis Cemetery
Submitted & ? 2003 by: Marilyn Holzwarth

George married Maria Barbara Rommel on 6 Jan 1880 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Maria (daughter of Michael Rommel and Maria Barbara Frey) was born on 1 Jun 1852 in B?nzwangen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 18 May 1928 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; was buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Cheyenne County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1916
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. Louisa Schwegler and Mrs. M. M. Schwegler went to Crieff, Ont., Thursday to spend a few weeks with the former's daughter, Mrs. Charles Gregor.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, September 19, 1924
Vol. 20, No. 19

Resident of Elkland Township for Nearly Sixty Years---
Mrs. Louisa Schwegler Faced Hardships of Pioneer Life in this Community---

The funeral service of Mrs. Louisa Schwegler was held at the Evangelical church at Cass City, of which she was a member, on Saturday afternoon, September 13, conducted by Rev. C.C. Smith, the pastor. Interment was made in Elkland Cemetery.

Louisa Benkelman was born April 9, 1853, in Bowmansville, New York. In 1865 she moved with her parents to Cass City, where she was brought face to face with the hardships of pioneer life.

At the age of twenty, she was united in marriage with Andrew Schwegler and moved with her husband to their farm one mile east and three miles north of Cass City, where she resided until some time after her husband's death which occurred December 25, 1899. Six children were born to this wedlock: Samuel, Laura, William, Mary, Benjamin and Katherine, all of whom reside with their families in the vicinity of Cass City excepting Samuel who preceded his parents in death, and Laura, who with her husband and family lives at Puslinch, Ontario.

Louisa was a genial, lovable women, an efficient housekeeper and an excellent homemaker, loyal to God and her fellowman. She will be sorely missed.

She departed this life September 11, 1924 at the age of 71 years, five months, and two days.

Besides her five children, she leaves five brothers, John, Samuel, and B.F. Benkelman of Cass City, William Benkelman of Detroit, and George Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, 14 grandchildren and many other relatives.

Relatives and friends from a distance in attendance at the funeral Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. C.W Gregor and daughter of Puslinch, Ontario, Wm. Benkelman and son, Jack, of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Gregor of Elkton, Harold of Sandusky and Miss Mae Benkelman of Flint.

Cass City Chronicle
October 17, 1924
Page Seven
Public Notices

In the matter of the Estate of Louisa SCHWEGLER, Deceased

Laura GREGOR, Wm. J. SCHWEGLER, Mary JAUS and Ben SCHWEGLER having filed in said court their petition praying that the administration of said estate be granted to Wm. J. Schwegler or to some other suitable person, It is Ordered, That the 27th day of October A.D. 1924 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at said probate office, be and is hereby appointed for hearing said petition; It is Further Ordered, That public notice thereof be given by publication of a copy of this order, once each week for three successive weeks previous to said day of hearing, in the Cass City Chronicle, a newspaper printed and circulated in said county. O.D. Hill, Judge of Probate

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 12 and 14 June 1880
Page 16 SD Third ED 400
153-153
Schwegler, Andres M W 35 Farmer Wurtemberg Wurtemberg Wurte
mberg
Schwegler, Louisa W F 27 Wf Keeping (house) NY Wurtemberg Wurtember
Schwegler, Samuel W M 9 Son At Home Mich Wurtermberg NY
Schwegler, Laura W F 2 Dtr At home Mich Wurtermberg NY
Schwegler, John W W M 10/12 Aug Son (daughter was originally written, and then crossed through) At home Mich Wurtemberg NY
Buerk, Catie W F 14 Domestic Housekeeper Wurtemberg Wurtemberg Wurtermberg
Gombacher, William W M 24 Domestic Farmer Mich Wurtermberg Wurtemberg

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 19 and 20 April 1910 by John A. Benkelman
SD 8 ED 112 Sheet 2A
27-29
Schwegler, Benj. Hd M W 24 S Mich Germany NY Farmer
Schwegler, Louisa Mother F W 57 Wd 6/5 NY Germany Germany Own Income
Schwegler, Catherine Sister F w 17 S Mich Germany NY
28-29
Schwegler, William J Hd M W 30 M1 Mich Germany NY
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 26 M1 1/1 Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic
Schwegler, Andrew Son M W 2/12 S Mich Mich Canada/Gaelic
Crocker, Henry Hired Man M W 26 S Mich Ohio Germany Laborer Farm

Louisa married Andreas "Andrew" Schwegler on 12 Apr 1874 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Andreas (son of Johannes Schw?gler and Christina Steiner) was born on 9 Jan 1849 in Breech, B?rtlingen Parish, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 25 Dec 1899 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following biographical information about John was excerpted from the MEMOIRS OF JOHN A. BENKELMAN (By Hilda Jane Stickley, 1966)

John said "I went to school in New York State and learned my A B C 's. When we moved to Michigan I was nine years old, the nearest school was too far to walk back and forth each day. I went to the Bird school when I was 12 years old and stayed with a Mrs. Myers who lived near the school and whose husband worked in the lumber woods. Mr Myers did not want his wife (they had no children) to stay alone and so Father said that I could go and stay with her while going to school. I did the chores--brought in the water, cut the wood for cooking and heating. I attended school along with a few other children. During the winter the teacher planned a spelldown with another school near Gagetown. I remember that I was a good speller and got ready for the spelldown by learning to spell all the words in the two books that the teacher let me take home to study after my chores were done." He was spelled down with the name Zachariah, however, taken from a book he had not studied.

Wild game was abundant near John's home. John remembered one time when a swarm of wild passenger pigeons nesting in trees all through the nearby swamps. Nor was it unusual for bears to prowl around their log home at night. John related that his father "had bought an old Civil War army musket from a returned soldier and had loaded it ready for use if a bear appeared. He had warned us boys that the gun was loaded and for us not to dare to touch it. One day soon afterwards, I looked across a small field of wheat on John Striffler's farm and saw two deer grazing in the wheat. Mother and Father were away, so I though 'This is my chance!' I sneaked the musket out and went back through the woods on the windward side. When I was in sight of the deer still feeding, I laid down behind a big log and took good aim, pulled down on the trigger. The gun went off with a loud bang, knocking me backwards behind the log, knocking the wind out of me and giving me a few bruises. When I got up I looked over where the deer had been. There was a big buck kicking his last. His horns were so big I was afraid to go near him, so turned and ran for home fast as I could. Mother had just returned, and I told her what I had done. She said 'Your Father will give you punishment for this!' When Father came home we had our supper, but I did not eat much as I was afraid of what he would say or do to me. After a while, Mother said 'John, you tell your Father what you did.' He looked mighty cross after I told him, but did not say a word, but went and got a latern, lighted it and said, 'Come on John, show me where the deer is.' We dragged it home, dressed it out and cut it up. Father made me carry a quarter to Jake Striffler and one to John Striffler the next day. The other half, father cut up in pieces and mother preserved some in a salt brine and the rest was hung in the cold shed to keep for later use. Father never scolded me, but he never loaded the gun again, unless he was taking it to the woods to hunt himself. And I did not have a desire to shoot that old kicking musket off again."

John helped his father on the farm, and at the age of 15 he was "a chore boy in a typical Michigan lumber camp of those early days. The camp was about 15 miles North and East of Cass City. The forest extended for miles around us containing all sorts of trees, but the lumbermen were just interested in the pines...I took care of the horses, kept the woodboxes full and helped Kitty Kelley, the cook." The work of the lumbermen apparently impressed John greatly. He related that often he would "steal away from my chores, walk along the pine-fragrant trail and join the men and the excitement of cutting down the big pines. By the time spring came and the ice had thawed in the river, the logs were piled sky high along the bank to be floated down with the swift current to the saw mills in Saginaw. The job of floating the logs down the river was a dangerous one and called for experience and team work. A special crew of men handled this job. They had a river raft which floated along behind the workmen and could be tied to trees along the bank at any time they wanted to stop for the night...(it) was about 100 feet long. Several men followed along the river bank on each side and dislodged the logs that got stuck along the bank and jammed up the current. Then the men walked out on the logs with long poles and pryed them loose. This was dangerous work and some men lost their lives. One day I was supposed to help the men and was trying to loosen some logs with a pole. I lost my footing and fell in the river. The men helped me out. While waiting for my clothes to dry, I decided that was too big a job for a 15 year old boy to do. By this time I had enough of that winter work and told the cook that I was going home. The crew was very sorry to see me leave and I walked back to the farm. Father and Mother were glad to have me home again as well as I was to be there."

John met his first wife, Rosina, while on a visit to New York. They were married in 1879. They can be found in the 1880 census. Living with them is 18 year old Christoph Seeger.

After the death of Rosina, John moved from Cass City to Kansas, and worked on the ranch of his Uncle George, alongside his brothers George and Ben. He lived there almost 4 years, working for $30 a month. He also was homesteading 200 acres of land adjoining his uncles. He returned to Cass City in 1889. He married for a second time to Augusta Krehl in the spring of 1890. They went on honeymoon to Traverse City, and by boat to Milwakee to see Augusta's father (Frederick Krehl), who was in the Old Soldier's home there. Mr. Krehl gave John power of attorney so he could sell some property he owned in Davenport, Iowa. John took Augusta back home, and later traveled to Iowa to sell the property. He gave her the $1200 proceeds.

Bonnie Petee abstracted the following regarding the Evangelical Association from "The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and Illustrations," H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. "A class of this church which is commonly known as the German Methodist, was organized in the town of Elkland about the year 1866, by the Rev. Stephen Henne in connection with the Sebewaing mission. The class numbered about fifteen members. It has had regular services from that time to the present, and a regular succession of pastors. Services being held in the school-house, one mile north and one-half mile east of Cass City. In the latter part of 1882, a formal organization was effected at Cass City, and steps taken for the construction of a house of worship, which is now in course of construction. The earnest zeal of the members and their individual labors and contributions of material have reduced the estimated cost of the building to about $1,500. The pastor of the church at the present time is the Rev. B. F. Wade, who resides on his farm in the town of Elkland. The membership is about fifty. There is a preaching every second Sunday; prayer-meeting and Sunday-school every Sabbath. The trustees of the church are, John Benkelman, Fred Krapf, Oscar Sencner, Levi Muntz and Adam Benkelman."

Cass City Chronicle
December 4, 1908

Notice to Taxpayers

I will be at B. F. Benkelman's store Cass City, to collect the taxes of Elkland township on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

J. A. BENKELMAN, Treas.

Cass City Chronicle
November 20, 1908

Local Items

The quartet of hunters returned from Hubbard Lake Wednesday evening. They report plenty of game and a good time. Wm. Ball brought home two deer and John Ball one, while they and the other two hunters, J. A. Benkelman and J. C. Lauderbach, exhibited a nice bunch of whiskers which greatly improved (?) their appearance. All of them had great luck in shooting birds-the men, not the whiskers.

Cass City Chronicle
February 20, 1931
John A. Benkelman published a notice on the first page of the paper to the Elkland Township voters, seeking their support in his candidacy for supervisor of the Republican caucus.


His obituary follows:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 15, 1952
Vol 47, No 16

John Benkelman, 96, Dies in Hospital Friday Afternoon

John Adam Benkelman, 96, well-known Cass City businessman and civic leader, died late Friday afternoon, August 8, after spending six days in the Cass City Hospital.

The pioneer resident of Cass City had been in failing health for nearly a year.

Mr. Benkelman spent eight years as a partner in the Young and Benkelman meat market in Cass City and served over 10 years as a supervisor for Elkland Township. His varied business career also included farming an work in the implement business.

He was regarded as an authority on early Cass City area history and was noted for his memory of incidents that occurred during pioneer days in this community.

Mr. Benkelman was one of the few men in the entire nation who could remember the hour of Abraham Lincoln's death and the funeral that followed.

He was born in Bowmansville, New York, April 26, 1856, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman. Together with his parents, he moved to a farm in this community when nine years old.

Mr. Benkelman married Miss Augusta Krehl in Cass City in the fall of 1890. The couple made their home int he area until Mrs. Benkelman died in 1935.

Survivors are: one daughter, Mrs. Marie BROWN of Pigeon; four sons, Glenn of Lakewood, Ohio, Dorus of Cass City, Alvin of Alexandria, Virginia, and John of Detroit; six granchildren; one great-granchild; and one brother, Ben Benkelman of Cass City. One daughter, three brothers, and one sister died before him.

Burial was in the family lot in Elkland cemetery.

(Research):Census Information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan Source:FHL Film 125
4607
National Archives Film T9-0607 Page 95B RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John BENKELMAN Self M M W 24 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Rosa BENKELMAN Wife F M W 22 WERTENBURG Occ:Keeping House Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG
Christoph SEEGER Other M S W 18 NY Occ: Farmer Fa: WERTENBURG Mo: WERTENBURG

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland
Enumerated 21 January 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 6A
FM 123-126
Striffler, William D
Fm 124-127
Jaus, John and Maud
Fm 125-128
John A. Benkelman Hd M W 63 New York Wurtemberg Germany Wurtemberg Germany Farmer
Benkelman, Augusta Wf F W 49 M Iowa Wurtemberg Germany/German Germany/German
Benkelman, Dorus Son M W 27 S Mich New York Iowa Clerk in Bank
Benkelman, John Son M W 12 S Mich New York Iowa

John married Rosina Wahl about 1879 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York. Rosina (daughter of Johann Michael Wahl and Anna Maria Nagel) was born on 5 Nov 1857 in B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 3 May 1886 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Augusta Catherine Freidrika Krehl on 19 Jun 1890 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Augusta (daughter of Friedrich Krehl and Philippine Blaufuss) was born on 6 Mar 1870 in Franklin Center, Lee County, Iowa; died on 8 Feb 1934 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs wrote that "Sam Benkelman, brother of Little George, John and Ben, also came west in 1880 for the wedding of Little George. He took one look at Kansas and high tailed it back to Denver where he spent two years as a carpenter for the D&RG railroad...then returned to Cass City where he devoted his life to residential construction. He apparently built most of the homes of all of our relatives there. "

Cass City Chronicle
August 18, 1899
Chroniclings, page 8

Sam Benkelman is travelling in the interest of the Wettlaufer & Ratz Manufacturing Company, and will visit Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant and other points.


Cass City Enterprise
April 3, 1902
Local Happenings, Page 1
S.G. Benkelman is now manager at the Cass City Foundry, the former manager, Ed Brotherton, being engaged in putting in the new machinery for the Cass City Brick and Tile Co.

Cass City Chronicle
August 28, 1936
Page 4

Samuel G. Benkelman experienced a genuine surprise Wednesday evening when a number of relatives and friends came to his home on East Third Street to celebrate his 79th birthday. A potluck supper and euchre were enjoyed. Mr. Benkelman received many nice gifts.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, December 27, 1940
Death Called Two Well Known Citizens Sunday-Chas. D. Striffler and Samuel G. Benkelman Have Long Resided in Elkland

Samuel G. Benkelman, who had been a resident of Elkland Township for 73 years, died at his home on East Third Street. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Angus McPhall residence. Rev. Paul J. Allured of Kinde, former pastor of the Cass City Presbyterian Church, officiated. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery. Samuel G. Benkelman was born in Bowmansville, New York, August 26, 1857, and came to Elkland Township with his parents, Adam and Catherine Benkelman, in 1865. Since that time with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived in this township. During 1882 and 1883, he was employed in railroad construction on the line from Pueblo, Colorado, to New Mexico. For many years he was engaged in farming on the Elkland-Greenleaf town line and on a farm one-half mile north of Elkland Cemetery. In 1913, he constructed a comfortable residence on East Third Street and since that time he and Mrs. Benkelman have resided in Cass City. He spent several years in working at the carpenter trade and there are many pieces of woodwork such as lamps, candlesticks and checkerboards in his home which are truly a work of art. They were a hobby of his for years. When Mr. Benkelman retired about seven years ago, he decided to keep himself busy by making things out of wood that he had never before found time to make. For some time he was manager and part owner of a foundry here. Mr. Benkelman was of a quiet, reserved nature, and although he never sought office, he was elected to the position of village trustee and as chief of fire department. Mr. Benkelman's first wife, the former Lydia STRIFFLER, passed away in 1887. Their son, Benjamin, died in infancy and their daughter, Mrs. Bertha WILLIAMS, May 16, 1929. He was married to Miss Mary STRIFFLER in 1888. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Joseph and Ward BENKELMAN, and two brothers, John A. and Benjamin F. BENKELMAN, all of Cass City. Both brothers are spending the winter in Florida.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1900 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Cass City
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900 A.D. Gillis
SD 8 ED 111 Sheet 5B

HH 109-112 Adam (b. 1861 NY) and Susan MUCK (b. 1862, NY)

HH 110-113
Bankleman, Samuel Hd W M August 1857 42 M 18 NY Germany Ger
many
Bankleman, Mary Wife W F Dec 1861 48 M 18 3/3 Mo Germany Germany
Bankleman, Bertha Dtr W F August 1883 16 S Mich NY Mich
Bankleman, Joseph Son W M Oct 1889 10 S Micg NY Mo
Bankleman, Ward Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Mich NY Mo
Striffer, Joseph F in Law W M Spet 1826 73 W 40 Mich (sic) NY (sic) Mo (sic)

Samuel married Lydia Striffler on 17 Oct 1882 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Lydia (daughter of Christian Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary Anna" Rommel) was born in Jan 1859 in Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan; died on 16 May 1887 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Mary Striffler on 28 Nov 1888. Mary (daughter of Joseph Striffler and Rosina Margaretha Ballbach) was born on 8 Dec 1860 in Madison, Monroe County, Missouri; died on 5 Aug 1952 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benkleman, Mary M,d. 6 Jun 1874, 15y 2m 8d, d/o A & C

Source:

http://www.interment.net/data/us/mi/tuscola/casscity/index.htm

BonnieMargaret Jacobs (p. 153) writes that she died in an outbreak of Scarlet fever in 1874, as did four of her young Striffler cousins.

Notes:

Cass City Enterprise
December 18, 1902
Local Happenings, page 9

Prof. W. F. Benkelman, of Grayling, is spending a few days with relatives and friends here.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 7, 1930
Page 4

Week-end guests at the B. F. Benkelman, Sr. home were Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Benkelman and son, Jack, Mr. and Mrs. Willard McKenna and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Symington, all of Detroit.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 14, 1932
Vol. 27, Number 27

Early School Supt. Here Died in Detroit Tuesday

Wm. F. Benkelman, superintendent of schools in Cass City for three years in the "early eighties," passed away unexpectedly in Detroit Tuesday morning after a very short illness. Funeral services were held in Detroit Thursday night and the burial service will be held in Elkland cemetery this (Friday) morning.

Wm. F. Benkelman was born in Lancaster, N.Y., in 1862, and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman, to Cass City at the age of four years. After completing his education in the local school here, he attended North Central College in Napierville, Ill. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice McDougal and they both taught in the Cass City Schools. Mr. Benkelman serving as superintendent for about three years in a period about 1882 to 1885. He was engaged as an instructor in the schools at Grayling and was later employed by the Salling-Hanson Lumber Co., of that city. He afterwards engaged in the lumber business in Owosee (sp?). Mr. Benkleman, for many years, has resided in Detroit. Besides his widow, he leaves one son, John, and two daughters, Mrs. Frances Simington (sic) and Mrs. Helen McKinney (sic), all of Detroit, and three brothers, John A., Samuel G., and Benjamin F. Benkelman, Sr., all of Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit, Ward 1 Block 104
Enumerated April 12, 1930
ED 82-32 SD 21 Sheet 16B
256-216-75
Benkelman, William Hd M W 69 M 25 NY Germany Germany Clerk Auto Facility
Benkelman, Alice M Wf F W 59 M 18 Canada English Canada English Canada English
Benkelman, John F Son m W 24 S Mich NY Canada English Asst Advertising Mgr Publishing Co
Symington, Edwin S Son-in-law M W 42 M@32 Canada English Canada English England English Manager Electricity
Symington, Frances M Dtr F W 38 M28 Mich Ny Canada English

William married Alice Mary McDougall on 23 Jul 1886. Alice was born in Aug 1868 in London, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada; died on 27 Aug 1933 in Ontario, Canada; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs writes that "Ben Benkelman accompanied his parents to Denver in 1880, where his oldest brother George Adam Benkelman married Mary Barbara Rommel. Ben did not return to Cass City with his parents, choosing to instead try his hand at the ranching business. He went to work for his uncle and brother as a cowboy. The Benkelman ranching operations were on the border between Nebraska and Kansas, near the Colorado state line.

The Benkelmans shipped many cattle out of Collinsville, Nebraska. On one drive to ship cattle in 1882, they were honored with the removal of the Collinsville sign and the installation of the Benkelman sign. It is still known as Benkelman, Nebraska today. Benkelman Township, in Cheyenne County, Kansas is also named for the family. Cheyenne County was surveyed in 1873-1874 following the signing of an Act by Governor Osborne creating a number on new counties. It was opened for enrollment in 1885. The census at March 1, 1885 gave the population at Cheyenne County at 204, with at least 15 of this number associated with the Benkelman Ranch. A year later, the population was 1256.

The Benkelman men were industrious and hard working. They were well respected in the community. The biggest challenge they faced were the extremes in weather.

In September, 1885, the T Wrench Ranch has 15,000 head of cattle. The winter of 1886 was a complete diaster for the Benkelmans. Only 125 head of the 15,000 survived. But the family continued to stay on their feet.

In 1893-1894, there were 18 months of absolutely no moisture. Feed was scare and had to be shipped in. All the inhabitants of Cheyenne County were in trouble, and people moved out of it in droves. After this, the ranch was turned over to Ben Benkelman. The rest of the family removed themselves from the ranching business."

Below are excerpts from letters written by Ben, while he was working as a ranch hand, to a cousin in Cass City, Michigan. The original letters are owned by the family of Ben's grandson, Bob Benkelman, and the transcriptions below were done by Bonnie-Margaret Jacobs.

8-xx-1880 Republican River, Wallace, Kansas. Branded 3600 head of cattle and will start tomorrow to brand 2500 more for Tony.

11-5-1880 George went to Denver about three weeks ago for the winter. I'm in the line camp, and it's living like a mole in the ground. Wakened this morning with snow on my bed. Write to me at the new post office in Wano.

3-17-1881 Haven't seen a girl in four months. There was a dance about 50 miles from here and about 20 of us cowboys went.

9-22-1881 Wano. Plenty of work here now. Just got back from shipping beef and then go again the first of October.

1-xx-1882 Wano. Buffalo is getting scarce, but there's still lots of antelope. You come in the fall when we ship beef and then you could go to Chicago with the cattle. More railroads coming through here now. About 30 miles from here is the station called Benkelman. It is the B&M railroad and will go straight from Denver to Chicago.

6-6-1883 Benkelman. Had a dance at Atwood, Kansas just before I cam here from the ranch. Some girls live 25 miles down river. The mail is 22 miles away, so I go see the girls then pick up the mail on my way back.

1-5-1884 Went to school one day and teacher said I could come back, but I'm too busy.

2-3-1884 We're going to a dance on the 22nd, and there will be some girls there. Don't worry because we're not as bad as the Idaho boys.

3-xx-1884 Soon I have to gather 100 head of cattle which are on the range all winter.

4-25-1884 There's a dance tonight--the last before we start work. Going South to the Arkansas River this summer for 2 or 3 months. George was here from Denver a few days ago. The cook is setting dinner.

8-xx-1884 Back from the Arkansas. Have been stopping along the trail where Texas cattle are coming up. I was there to keep them from our range. Aunty is down from Denver, and doing so much talking I can't write. I bought 50 head of yearlings for $15.25 each.

10--18-1884 Steers worth $30 to $40 a head. There's antelope here and plenty of turkeys but buffalo are scarce. Wages are just fair, $25 to $50 a month. We've got all beef steers shipped now.

12-xx-1884 Staying alone now with no work except taking care of a few horses and cooking. It's boring here, but I make up for it when I go for the mail--12 miles from here.

7-8-1884 Building a sod stable 84 x 15. Will have 5,000 head of cattle to brand, and it will take 5 days. On the 4th, I went to Wano and it was no fun so I went on down river 3 miles, but missed the young folks. It was 4 0'clock and I didn't want to miss the fun on the holiday so started for the city of Benkelman which is 20 more miles. Had a big dance, but had to ride 30 miles home the next day. Went to Denver 3 weeks ago. Got there about 8 p.m. and we spent the evening principally on Holiday Street. Guess what they do on Holiday street!

[Dick Fischbach informed me that: " Holladay Street (note correct spelling) was the site of early Denver's notorious red light district, replete with crooked gambling dens, cheap saloons, dance halls, cribs and expensive brothels. Anything cowpunchers wanted was available on Holladay Street.]

1-xx-1885 All alone this winter, but only have to cook, eat and sleep. I'm burning coal so there is no wood to chop. I have 2 horses to ride. It's 12 miles to the nearest girl.

4-27-1885 Benkelman. Atwood, Kansas is about 60 miles from here. The area is settling up fast now. Farmers coming every day and taking up land. The cattle will have to leave. The range is getting too small for those large herds. I take care of 120 head of horses. I duck hunt because there's lots of ducks now.

11-25-1885 Wano. Got back yesterday from Sturgis and had a good time there. So many girls! (Note: Ben married Minnie Jesse of Sturgis on the JC Ranch in 1892).

1-7-1886 Snow is a foot deep on the level. I'm cooking for the boys now. It's o.k. until warm weather. Wish I'd stayed in school.

2-9-1886 Two of the boys have started for the Arkansas River to look of cattle that have gone down there. 200 head of horses to feed here every day--about 2 tons a day. That's exercise, and gives me appetite, so I'm at 175 lbs now.

4-18-1886 Went down to Benkelman last week for 2 days and had a good time. We're moving cattle up west to Colorado. Kansas is getting too thick for cattle now. Some nice, fat gals moving in now.

1-7-1887 Wallace. Traveling and staying near Wallace. Riding around town to town watching the farmers to keep them from killing our cattle. I'm working for $40 a month and all expenses.


7-7-1887 We're out on the range with 15-20 men in camp every night. We have a good time singing and playing. Address your next letter to Wallace, Kansas.

9-12-1888 We're shipping cattle to Chicago. Soon we'll be done then head back to the ranch for the winter. Send your next letter to St. Francis.

11-xx-1888 Cousin George took the cattle to Chicago this year.

1-xx-1889 I'm living alone this winter. Burning coal. There's no wood to chop. Went to Wano to help decorate the Christmas tree.

3-xx-1889 Had a job offer of $35 per month. George and I are making a ditch to water our crops. Intend to keep some cattle and horses. Not as good a county for farming as Cass City. Butter is 8 cents, eggs 6 cents a dozen, potatoes $1.00. No girls! They all know me to well!

3-5-1889 I'm tired of cowpunching. We had a fun election for county seat. St. Francis won by a 290 majority.

7-xx-1889 We put up 30 tons of ice. Ice cream every Sunday! Cut 45 acres of alfalfa. I'm thinking of going further west. It's getting too crowded here.

12-xx-1890 Jacqua. I harvested potatoes and got $1.75 a bushel. Corn is 60 cents a bushel. I have 140 head of hogs and 130 head of cattle.

Around 1901, Ben relocated back to Cass City, Michigan, where he owned and operated a general store. In was also reported, in the February 18, 1913 issue of the Cass City Chronicle, that he and P.H. Muck had completed arrangements for the purchase of the stock of general merchandise and the leasing of a store building at Colwood from C.D. Andrews.

Ben closed his store in Cass City in January, 1924. Ben and Minnie summered in Florida, traveling there each year by train. They also built a cottage in Caseville on the lake.

He was active in the affairs of the community of Cass City, with numerous mentions of his activities in the "Local Happenings" column of the Cass City paper. A few of these are shown below:

Cass City Chronicle
December 4, 1908

Notice to Taxpayers

I will be at B. F. Benkelman's store Cass City, to collect the taxes of Elkland township on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

J. A. BENKELMAN, Treas.


Cass City Chronicle
January 19, 1917

B.F. Benkelman was re-elected as secretary to the Cass City Telephone Company.

Cass City Chronicle
Local Happenings
January 26, 1917

B.F. Benkelman, Edward Pinney and M.B. Auten are among the visitors at the auto show at Detroit.

Art Peck wrote, in error, that Ben was a Studebaker dealer until 1928 and that he also he worked for E.B. Schwaderer. It was actually Ben's eldest son, Harold, who was the Studebaker dealer and Schwaderer employee.

Cass City Chronicle
December 24, 1920

All the members of the B.F. Benkelman family will be home for Christmas. Miss Mae, a teacher at Sebewaing came Wednesday; Benj. a student at Ypsilanti, came Thursday; Miss Ruth a teacher at Berwyn, Ill., Friday; and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Benkelman of Sandusky Friday.

Ben Benkelman Senior's obituary appeared in the CASS CITY CHRONICLE on Friday, September 15, 1962:

Final Rites Held for B.F. Benkelman, Sr.

Benjamin F. Benkelman, Sr. 88, last of the family of Adam and Christine (sic) Benkelman, died Sunday in his home following a long period of failing health, just shortly before his 89th birthday. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Douglas Funeral Home. Rev. S.R. Wurtz of Salem Evangelical U.B. Church officiated and burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

Mr. Benkelman was born Sept. 24, 1863, in Bowmansville, N.Y. and came to Michigan at the age of four years with his parents. He was a rancher in Kansas from 1880 to 1901 and operated a general store her from 1901 to 1924.

He retired from business after selling his store. Among his hobbies were traveling with his wife and fishing.

He was a director of the Cass City State Bank for 30 years.

At St. Francis, Kansas, on Dec. 26, 1892, he married Miss Minnie JESSE of Sturgis, Mich., who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. E.T. BALL (Ruth) of Pottersville, New Jersey; Mrs. W.J. CARPENTER (Mae) of Farwell, and Mrs. James PEASE (Lois) of La Grange, Ill.; two sons, Harold and Ben, of Cass City; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

(Research):
Census ListingsL

1900 Census Cheyenne County, Kansas Jacqua Township

#112-#112 Benkelman, Ben Head W M Sep 1868 M 7 yr Born NY, parents born Germany, R&W, Speaks English, Owns Farm, no mortgage
Benkelman, Minnie Wife W F Sept 1875 4 Children all living born MI parents Germany, R&W, Speaks English
Benkelman, Ruth D W F July 1894 Kansas
Benkelman, May D W F May 1896 Kansas
Benkelman, Harold S W M Nov 1897 Kansas
Benkelman, Bengman (sic) S W M Nov 1899 Kansas

1910 Census, Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp, ED 113, Cass City Village
Enumerated 13 Apr 1910
SD 8, ED 113, Sheet No 5 B
139-139
Benkelman, Benjamin Hd M W 46 M1 17 NY Germany Germany Retail Merchant Groceries
Benkelman, Mary (sic) Wife F W 44 M1 17 5/5 Kansas Germany Germany
Benkelman, Ruth Dtr F W 15 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Mary Dtr F W 13 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Harold SOn M W 12 Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Benjamin F Son M W 10 S Kansas NY Kansas
Benkelman, Lois J Dtr F W 5 Mich NY Kansas
Benkelman, Birtha Niece F W 22 Mich NY Mich Bookkeeper Implement Store

(Medical):Kidney failure, Senility

Benjamin married Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse on 26 Dec 1892 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Wilhelmina (daughter of George W. Jesse and Maria Johanna Elisabeth Klevsaat) was born on 27 Sep 1865 in Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan; died on 18 Jun 1961 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, July 21, 1911
Local Happenings
Page 4


Misses Bertha Benkelman of this place and Lottie Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, left Saturday morning on a trip to Detroit and Buffalo.

A Mrs. (sic) Lottie Benkelman of Cheyenne County, Kansas was listed, along with 12 others from that county, in the State of Kansas Directory of State Officers, Boards and Commissions, Issued by J. T. Botkin, Kansas Secretary of State on October, 1915. A PDF of this books can be viewed on Google Books.

Cass City Chronicle
September 7, 1917
The Week's Doings, Page 4

Miss Lottie Benkelman, who was a guest of Mrs. M. M. Schwegler, returned Thursday to her home in St. Francis, Kansas.

Lottie didn't marry until later in life. She had remained at home to care for her parents. She married first Farmer L. Shields and later William Maurice Ball, on 25 September 1954 in Denver, Colorado.

As of the 1955 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman broadcast, she was living in Corvallis, Oregon.

Lottie married Farmer L. Shields on 4 Apr 1929 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Farmer was born about 1879 in Iowa; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Pharmacist and had a pharmacy in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to West Coast. The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, reported that "Frank Benkelman of Littleton, Colo. suffered a heart attack last Nov. and still is not able to be about."

A website about the historic Captain Fletcher's Inn (ca. 1865) at the Navarro Beach area of the Navarro River Redwoods State Park states that on March 20, 1931, the Gilmores sold the Inn to Frank B. Benkelman (Mendocino County Official Records, Book 58, pp. 445-446 hereafter Official Records). Frank and his wife, Effie held the property until he died. It was a prosperous period for the Inn. Several local sources say that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent part of their "honeymoon" at the Inn. It is possible that they spent some time at the Inn, after their marriage on March 29, 1939, since Gable liked remote places and enjoyed salmon fishing. According to Lyn Tornabene in her book, Long Live the King (New York: 1976 p. 279), Gable and Lombard spent many days fishing the Rogue River. The Benkelmans also conveyed a portion of the original property to the state of California for purposes of building a highway on May 16, 1940.(Official Records, Bk. 142, p. 266). After her husband's death, Mrs. Benkelman married a second time to Robert Linn, the father of Geneva Linn (Mrs. Frank Ray).


http://www.navarro-by-the-sea-center.org/history5.html


Art Peck also shows him as married to a Dorothy Miller, however it appears that it must have been another Frank Benkelman who married Dorothy Miller,

The following is a brief biography of Nellie Burget Miller, Poet Laureate of Colorado in 1923:
"Nellie Burget grew up in Fayette, Iowa, graduating from high school at the age of fifteen and earning a B.S. from Upper Iowa University in 1894. She married Dr. Lucas A. Miller in 1894 and in 1908 they moved to Colorado Springs. Together they had three children: Dorothy, Arnold, and Muriel Imogene. Dorothy was an accomplished schoolteacher in Denver. DOROTHY [MILLER] AND HUSBAND FRANK BENKELMAN did not have children. Arnold Miller served in World War II and ran a medical practice in Denver. Arnold and his wife Mabel had three children."

Census records, however, show that Nellie Miller's daughter Dorothy was born ca 1901 in Iowa, and at the time of the 1910 and 1920 federal census enumerations, she was still living at home with her parents in Colorado Springs, and was listed as single. By the time of the 1930 census, she was living in Haxtun, Phillips County, Colorado, and boarding in someone's else home. She was listed as single, and as a school teacher.

At the same time that Dorothy Miller is still a single schoolgirl in Colorado Springs (1910), Frank Benjamin Benkelman can be found with his wife Effie in St. Louis, and Frank, Effie and John can be found again in 1930, in California, while Dorothy Miller was a single schoolteacher in Colorado. And as Frank Benjamin Benkelman was said to have remained married to Effie until his death, it could not have been the same Frank Benkelman that married Dorothy Miller.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Missouri, Jackson County, Kansas City
Enumerated 23 Apr 1910
SD 5 ED 38 Sheet 11A Stamped 11
501-132-226
Benkelman, Frank B Hd m W 28 M1 1 Co Germany German Germany German Eng Prescription Clerk Drug
Benkelman, Effie Wf W FW 19 M1 1 0/0 Iowas Iowa Iowa

1920 Census
Not located

1930 Census
California, Santa Clara, San Jose Twp
Enumerated 4 Apr 1930
ED 43-4 SD 10 Sheet 3A Stamped 50
George Steet
131-79-83
Benkelman, Frank B Head R $35 M W 48 M 27 Colo NY Germany Retired
Benkelman, Effie F Wf F W 38 M 18 Mo Ind Iowa
Benkelman, John F Son M W 10 S Mo Colo Mo

Frank married Effie Fay Black before 1910. Effie was born on 6 Aug 1887 in Dallas County, Missouri; died on 7 Oct 1974 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Hertha Kerndt on 15 Jul 1913. Hertha was born on 30 Jul 1889 in Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 30 Apr 1968 in McDonald, Rawlins County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, had note in the "Vacations" section that read: "We are certainly looking forward to meeting Mrs. F.L. Shields of St. Francis, Kansas and Dr. and Mrs. Albert Benkelman and daughters, Barbara and Bonnie at the 1947 reunion. We hope that many more will plan their vacations so they meet with the rest of us at Uncle John's Woods on Labor Day."

Volume 22 of the same periodical, dated September 7, 1959, reported that Albert and Ruth Benkelman attended his Fiftieth graduating class reunion at St. Francis, Kansas. Six of his classmates were present.

A dentist in St. Francis, Kansas, he retired to Denver in 1947.

(Research):Census Listings:

1930 Census
Kansas, Cheyenne County, Wano, St. Francis City
ED 12-18 SD 1 Sheet 10A Stamped 300

79-84
Benkelman, George A Hd O $6000 M W 39 M 27 Kansas NY German
y Physician
Benkelman, Ruth L Wf F W 38 M 26 Kansas Illinois Illinois
Benkelman, Mary B Adopted Dtr F W 3 6/12 S Neb US US
Benkelman, Bonnie J Adopted Dtr F W 2 1/12 S Neb US US
82-8?
Shields, Farmer L Hd O $12,000 M W 51 M21 Iowa Ill Iowa President Commercial Bank
Shiels, Lottie B Wf F W 49 M 48 Colorado NY Germany

George married Ruth May Lockwood on 1 Dec 1917. Ruth was born on 2 Apr 1892 in St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas; died on 13 Jun 1973 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; was buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Cheyenne County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Maggie Battel Bethel writes that her "Mother and Grandma always told the sad story of Sam and Louisa. He died of a horse kick to the head, and Louisa was pregnant with Ben at the time and about to deliver. She took the death of Samuel very, very hard and grieved the little boy. When she had the new baby boy, she felt guilty and could not look him in the face without bursting into tears, so when they would bring the baby to her to nurse, she would cover him with a blanket. This obviously was eventually resolved, but was a family story shared between the mothers in the family."

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 19, 1911
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. Charles Gregor of Crieff, Ontario, is visiting her mother, Mrs. Louisa Schwegler, and other relatives and friends here.

In the same column it was noted that Louisa had undergone an operation at Pleasant Home hospital the prior week, and was improving quite rapidly.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 12, 1916
Page Four
Local Items

Mrs. Louisa Schwegler and Mrs. M. M. Schwegler went to Crieff, Ont., Thursday to spend a few weeks with the former's daughter, Mrs. Charles Gregor.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 28, 1961
Page Four

Mrs. Gregor, 83, Dies in Ontario

Funeral services were to have been held Wednesday at 2 p.m. for Mrs. Laura Gregor, 83, of Puslinch, Ont. Mrs. Gregor died Sunday at her home in Puslinch.

The former Laura Schwegler, she was the wife of Charles Wesley Gregor. The Gregors would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Christmas Day.

Those surviving, besides her husband, are a daughter, Mrs. James (Donelda) McDonald of Puslinch, two sons, Gordon of Hespeler, Ontario and Lincoln of Whitby, Ontario, and a sister, Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN of Decker. The late Ben Schwegler was her brother.

The services were at the Geo. Wall Funeral Home in Guelph and burial was in Crown Cemetery, Puslinch, Ontario.

Laura married Charles Wesley Gregor on 25 Dec 1901 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Charles was born in Aug 1873 in Canada; died on 10 Jun 1964. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Michigan Birth Index instead has his date of birth listed as 30 August 1879.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 30, 1913

Mr. and Mrs. William Schwegler and sons, Andrew and Edward, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Nash jr and daughter, Elizabeth, and Mrs. David Ross spent Sunday at the Ostrander home in Ellington.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that the Schwegler Brothers, William and Benjamin have sold their farms in Elkland township. Ben has bought a home in Cass City, and will shortly move there. Williams expects to join his sons, Andrew and Edward, in Charlotte.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, January 27, 1950
Vol. 44, Num. 40, Page 1

Deceased Lived 65 Years on the Same Farm Where He Was Born

Wm. J. Schwegler, former resident of Elkland Township, died Sunday morning at 11 o'clock int he Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital in Charlotte, Michigan, where he had been a patient nearly one week.

Mr. Schwegler, son of the late Andrew and Louisa Schwegler, was born August 29, 1879, on a farm on the North Schwegler road and lived there until November, 1944, when he and his wife moved to Charlotte after selling their farm to John Zinnecker, the present owner.

On September 3, 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice J. Ross.

While he lived in Elkland Township he served several terms on the school board of the Bird School district and was a member of the Farm Produce Co. board of directors.

During his residence in this vicinity he was a member of the local Evangelical United Brethren Church and served on the church trustee board for 35 years during which time he was president of the board a number of terms. He also served this church in the capacity of Sunday School superintendent, class leader and Sunday School teacher for a number of years.

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Charlotte Methodist Church and the Charlotte Grange.

He leaves to mourn their loss his widow; two sons, Andrew F. and Edward W., both of Charlotte; and two granddaughters, Joann, of Berea, Ohio, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Schwegler, and Kay Ann, baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. (sic) Schwegler; two sisters, Mrs. Chas. Gregore of Puslinch, Ont., and Mrs. Orton Klinkman of Decker; and a brother, Benjamin A. Schwegler of Cass City.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. Ray Gilliam, pastor of the Charlotte Methodist Church, at the Burkland Chapel of Tuesday afternoon. Interment was in Maple Hill cemetery, Charlotte.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 19 and 20 April 1910 by John A. Benkelman
SD 8 ED 112 Sheet 2A
27-29
Schwegler, Benj. Hd M W 24 S Mich Germany NY Farmer
Schwegler, Louisa Mother F W 57 Wd 6/5 NY Germany Germany Own Income
Schwegler, Catherine Sister F w 17 S Mich Germany NY
28-29
Schwegler, William J Hd M W 30 M1 Mich Germany NY
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 26 M1 1/1 Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic Canada/Gaelic
Schwegler, Andrew Son M W 2/12 S Mich Mich Canada/Gaelic
Crocker, Henry Hired Man M W 26 S Mich Ohio Germany Laborer Farm

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 15 and 16 Jan 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 3A Stamped 99
61-64
Schwegler, William Head m W 40 M Mich Germany/German NY/German Farmer
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 35 M 1890 Na 1905 Candad English Scotland English Canada English
Schwegler, Andrew Son m W 9 S Mich Mich Canada/English
Schwegler, Edward Son M W 8 S Mich Mich Canada/English
62-65
Schwegler, Benjamin head m W 33 M Mich Germany/German NY/German
Schwegler, Magdlene Wf F W27 M Mich Canada/English Mich/English
Schwegler, Mildred Dtr F W 3 2/12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory Dtr F W 1 8/12 S Mich Mich Mich

William married Alice J. Ross on 3 Sep 1908 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Alice was born on 18 Jan 1884 in Canada; died on 15 Jul 1964 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The October 3, 1924 issue of The Cass City Chronicle, page 4, column 4, noted in Local Items that "Mrs. Benjamin Schwegler and Mrs. Fred Jaus entertained a number of relatives and friends at the home of the latter Wednesday evening in honor of their niece, Miss Donelda Gregor of Puslinch, Ont., who was visting...the time was passed pleasantly in vocal and instrumental music and games after which refreshments, including a weenie roast, were served." In the August 26, 1927 issue of the same paper, also in Local Items, it was noted that "Miss Laura Jaus returned Wednesday evening from a ten-day visit with her Aunt at Puslinch, Canada. Her cousin, Miss Donelda Gregor, returned with her and will spend a few weeks with relatives here."

Cass City Chronicle
Volume 28, Numbe 30
Friday, November 3, 1933

Sudden Death of Mrs. Fred Jaus
The community was shocked Thursday morning by the news of the death of Mrs. Fred Jaus at her home on East Main St. Mr. Jaus suffered a paralytic stroke directly after arising yesterday morning and passed away four hours later. She had been in her usual health. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday afternoon at two o'clock at the family residence by Rev. G.A. Spitler, pastor of the Evangelical church, and interment will be made in Elkland cemetery.

Mary married Frederick W. Jaus on 25 Jan 1905 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Frederick (son of Johann Georg Jaus and Christina Benkelman) was born on 3 Nov 1881 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 15 Oct 1984 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1910 Census, Benjamin was the head of household in a home consisting of himself, his widowed mother, and his younger sister, Catherine.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that the Schwegler Brothers, William and Benjamin have sold their farms in Elkland township. Ben has bought a home in Cass City, and will shortly move there. Williams expects to join his sons, Andrew and Edward, in Charlotte.


Cass City Chronicle
June 1, 1961
Greenleaf

Mrs. Arthur Battel's father, Benjamin, passed away Saturday evening, after a long illness.

Cass City Chronicle
June 8, 1961
Page 6

Schwegler Services Held Here May 31

Funeral services for Benjamin A. Schwegler, 75, were held May 31 in the Douglas Funeral Home, Rev. S. R. Wurtz, pastor of Salem Evangelical UB Church of which Mr. Schwegler was a member for many years, officiated and burial was in Elkland cemetery. Mr. Schwegler, in poor health for sometime, died in his home on Pine Street May 27.

Son of the late Andrew and Louisa Schwegler, he was born in Elkland township February 14, 1886. He married Miss Lena Mark at Cass City May 11, 1915. Seventeen years ago Mr. Schwegler retired from farming and they moved into Cass City.

Survivors are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. J. F. KLEIN (Mildred) of Port Huron, Mrs. Arthur BATTEL (Marjorie) of Cass City and Mrs. P.E. HOWE (Fern) of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Charles GREGOR of Ontario and Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN of Decker.

Relatives and friends who came to attend the funeral included: Mrs. James McDONALD of Puslinch, Ont., and Douglas McDONALD of Hamilton, Ont.; Mrs. Williams SCHWEGLER of Charlottte; Mrs. Edward SCHWEGLER and daughter Kay Ann of Coopersville; Andrew SCHWEGLER of Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Owen DARLING; Mrs. Orton KLINKMAN, Charles KLINKMAN and James DARLING of Decker; Mr. and Mrs. Donald DALE and Mr. and Mrs. Roy AGAR of Marlette; Mr. and Mrs. Don DARLING of Kingston; Mr. and Mrs. Archie MARK of Flushing; Mrs. G. F. LENZNER and Mrs. Clarence LACKOWSKI of Bad Axe, and Mrs. Roy E. TAYLOR of Bay City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 15 and 16 Jan 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 3A Stamped 99
61-64
Schwegler, William Head m W 40 M Mich Germany/German NY/German Farmer
Schwegler, Alice Wf F W 35 M 1890 Na 1905 Candad English Scotland English Canada English
Schwegler, Andrew Son m W 9 S Mich Mich Canada/English
Schwegler, Edward Son M W 8 S Mich Mich Canada/English
62-65
Schwegler, Benjamin head m W 33 M Mich Germany/German NY/German
Schwegler, Magdlene Wf F W27 M Mich Canada/English Mich/English
Schwegler, Mildred Dtr F W 3 2/12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory Dtr F W 1 8/12 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 79-12 SD 11 Sheets 6B and 7A
143-143
Schwegler, Benjamin Head M W 44 m 29 Mich Germany NY Farmer Gen Farm
Schwegler, Lena Wf F W 38 M 23 Mich Canada English Mich
Schwegler, Mildred M Dtr F W 12 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Marjory M Dtr F W 11 S Mich Mich Mich
Schwegler, Alma F Dtr F W 8 S Mich Mich Mich

Benjamin married Joanna Magdalena "Lena" Mark on 11 May 1915 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Joanna (daughter of Archibald "Archie" Mark and Emeline Striffler) was born on 27 Feb 1892 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 24 Jun 1983 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
April 26, 1962

Final Services Held for Mrs. Klinkman

Final services were held Tuesday at the Decker Methodist Church for Mrs. Catherine Klinkman, 68, Lamotte township. Mrs. Klinkman died Saturday, April 21, at the Marlette Community Hospital after a brief illness.

Born Jun 8, 1833 (sic), in Cass City, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew SCHWEGLER.

She married Orton Klinkman on March 11, 1914 in Caro. The couple moved to a farm southeast of Decker. Mr. Klinkman died October 12, 1961.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Roy AGAR, and Mrs. Donald DALE, both of Marlette, and Mrs. Vyron BEUTLER, Pontiac, and two sons, Wilfred Klinkman, Smiths Creek, Michigan, and Charles Klinkman, Decker. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren.

Rev. Joseph Shaw, Decker Methodist Church, and Rev. Lester Nelson, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Kingston, officiated at the services. Interment was in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.

Catherine married Orton Thomas Klinkman on 11 Mar 1914 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan. Orton (son of Otto C. Klinkman and Maggie May Hutchinson) was born on 10 Feb 1887 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York; died on 12 Sep 1961 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 15 Sep 1961 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Glen Frederick Benkelman received his B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University in 1914.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 31, 1976
Page One

Train-car crash fatal for Glen Benkelmans

Glen F. Benkelman, 80, a brother of Dorus Benkelman of Cass City, and his wife, Maud, 80, were fatally injured in a train-car crash and died Saturday, December 26, at Lakewood, Ohio.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 29, at the Lakewood Presbyterian Church in Lakewood where the Benkelmans were members.

Burial will be in Elkland township cemetery, Wednesday, December 30.

Among the survivors are: a daughter, Mrs. Ruth SIMMELINK of Cleveland; a son, William, of Lakewood; a brother of Mrs. Benkelman who lives in Detroit, and of Mr. Benkelman, a sister, Marie BROWN of Pigeon; two brothers, Dorus, of Cass City, and Alvin, of Elk Creek, Virginia.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland City
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 18-276 SD 6 Sheet 23A Stamed 233
3813-19-29
Benkelman, Glen Head m W 39 M 30 Mich Mich Iowa Engineer Structural, Carbon Plant
Benkelman, Maud Wf F W 38 M 29 EnglishCanada EnglishCanada EnglishCanada
Benkelman, Glen Son M W 6 S Ohio Mich EnglishCanada
Benkelman, Ruth Dtr F W 4 S Ohio Mich EnglishCanada
McFadden, Sarah Mother-in-law F W 70 Wd CanadaEnglish CanadaEnglish CanadaEnglish

Glen married Maud McFadden on 18 Jun 1921 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. Maud was born on 9 Nov 1891 in Brockville, Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada; died on 26 Dec 1970 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 16, 1957

Re-elect officers at Farm Produce

Annual meeting of the stockholders of Farm Produce was held. The following officers were re-elected for another year: Joe Crawford, President, Audley Rawon, Vice President, D.W. Benkelman, Treasurer, and C.J. Striffler, Secretary.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, February 22, 1973

Services held for Dorus Benkelman

Dorus Benkelman, 80, of Cass City died Wednesday, February 14, in Hills and Dale General Hospital.

A lifelong area resident, he was born in Cass City December 6, 1893, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Benkelman.

Mr. Benkelman and Miss Jane STICKLEY were married November 2, 1943, in Detroit and the couple made their home in Cass City. She died April 7, 1960.

A retired banker, he was a member of Tyler Lodge No. 317 F&AM, the American Legion Post No. 507 and was a member of Salem United Methodist Church. He served with the Army in World War I.

Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Marie BROWN of Pigeon, and one brother, Alvin BENKELMAN of Elk Creek, Virginia, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday evening at Little's Funeral Home under the auspices of Tyler Lodge. Funeral services were held at the funeral home Saturday morning with the Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem church officiating. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

Dorus married Hilda Jane Stickley on 2 Nov 1943 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Hilda was born on 21 May 1892 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada; died on 7 Apr 1960 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
Cass City, Mich., April 11, 1919
Page Four
Around Our Town
Alvin Benkelman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Benkelman and a U. of M. student, is enjoying his vacation here at the home of his parents.

His daughter, Anne Scott Benkelman Pritchard wrote, on Veteran's Day 2011, "My dad, Alvin Carlton Benkelman, was born in 1895 and served in WWI; he liked to say "where the bullets were the thickest" - loading munitions on ships in New Jersey.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 27, 1954
Vol 49, Number 18
Page 1

Invention Lauded by Experts
New Benkelman Beam Measures Deflection

Alvin C. Benkelman, brother of Dorus Benkelman of Cass City, has been lauded by road engineers in the United States for developing an instrument called the "Benkelman Beam" for the measuring of elastic pavement deflections. Deflection of a pavement is the amount the pavement gives under road pressure. Although many devices have been invented to measure deflection, the "Benkelman Beam" is the first really simple device for the highway work, according to engineer Benkelman.

In the past, the best method was an electronic method which required a great deal of expensive equipment and a considerable amount of time and effort for each installation. Only a limited number of installations were possible in any one area. Another disadvantage of this method was that the road surface had to be disturbed to install the equipment. While on duty as a consultant engineer with the Bureau of Public Roads on the WASHO test road in Idaho in 1953, Mr. Benkelman developed the deflection measuring device which bears his name. Because of the speed with which Mr. Benkelman's device is operated, the WASHO test personnel was able to make approximately 40,00ft individual deflection readings. An example of the increased speed of the "Benkelman Beam" is reported by the California Highway Department. They used the beam to study pavement which had received severe "longitudinal and transverse" cracking. The beam was used to determine its operational characteristics and to supply experience on the best methods of using it. The results were outstanding. A complete survey of the road was completed in one day, excluding traveling time. Over 40 different sections were tested along the road. The California road commission estimates that the same work done by the electronic method would have taken 10 days. Mr. Benkelman and his wife and daughter, Ann Scott, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Dorus Benkelman. They stopped in Cass City on their way home to Alexandria, Val, from Idaho.

The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Vol 22 dated September 7, 1959, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Benkelman of Ottowa, Illinois and daughter Ann Scott attended the Blaufuss family reunion in Davenport, Iowa.

Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 4, 1967 reported that Alvin, a 1917 engineering graduate of the University of Michigan, was honored with the University's Sesquicentennial Award at the annual Asphalt Institute meeting at the University on August 9, 1967.

Memorial Service for A. C. Benkelman Sep. 13, 1987

There was a man, born in 1774, who journeyed westward planting or selling seedlings from Pennsylvania to Ohio and beyond. He was a natural man, cheerful, generous in nature, and had an affinity for the wilderness. He supplied frontiersman with apple orchard stock throughout the Midwest. His name, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. There was another man who retired in the Elk Creek community in 1967 with a strange sounding name. He was born in Michigan in 1895, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemical Engineering. From 1919 to 1928 he worked for the Illinois Highway Department where he was soil engineer on the Bates Road Test. From 1928 to 1934 he worked for the Michigan Highway Department as research engineer on soils, fast actions, and pavement. From 1934 to 1954 he worked for the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads in charge of structural design of flexible pavement. In 1956 he was on the staff of Highway Research Board. He is well known throughout the highway construction trade for his invention of a economical portable device to measure deflections of pavement under heavy loads which to this day carries his name. His name, Alvin C. Benkelman, better known as "Benk". The device that he invented is called the Benkelman Beam. I compare Benk with Johnny Appleseed because they both left their mark. Benk, too, was outgoing, was young at heart, loved people and the out-of-doors. He established a flourishing pine tree farm, and was a member of the American Tree Farmers Association. He couldn't do enough for others. Most think that Benk was lured to the area by his wife, Olive, a native of Elk Creek, but there must have been a yearning or spark that had been smoldering since the days of his youth when, as a young man in a glee club, he learned "In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia", which became one of his favorite pieces. His first trip to this area was at the time of the First World War when he accompanied the body of a dead soldier to Galax, Virginia. He liked it then and vowed to return. Benk had two children, a son and daughter. It is rare when a son gets to choose his step-mother, but Alvin Jr., whose mother had died, introduced his vivacious teacher, Miss Scott, to his widowed father. Matrimony ensued and it was a joyous occasion when "Scotty" was born. Benk and Olive had been making plans for their retirement for many years. They had already negotiated the purchase of the property that is referred to as "The Falls" which at the time was a dump. Where others may have seen trash, Benk saw jewels. One of his first projects was to clean up that unsightly piece of property, build a cabin, and landscape the grounds to show off the falls. It was since become a show place and a haven for many a guest. He attacked the homeplace, "Flag Pond" with the same vigor and vitality, restoring an already existing house and out buildings, into their permanent dwelling. I remember my first visit to their home and how cordial they were and willing to show off their home. Benk was especially proud of the spring that had been walled up and flowed through the end of their entrance way. I was impressed by how low the ceilings seemed, but for someone five feet two, they were high enough. Because I was taller was my fault, not his. The lawns were always neatly mowed and trimmed, Benk doing the work or supervising. One of the log houses in the rear was converted into a wood working showroom which became his hobby. It was not unusual to find him working in his shop in the dead of winter by the warmth of a wood stove. Because of his love of trees, it was only natural that he developed his hobby for working with wood. Every kind of wood was a new challenge. Some he liked better than others, but I've never seen anyone able to make a piece of wood shine without any finish as Benk could. There is hardly a kitchen in the community that doesn't have the little recipe holder that he fashioned with a clothes pin. He made letter holders, lamps, music boxes, jewelry boxes, key boards, cribbage boards cut out in the shape of a state, boot jacks, and even a grandfather clock, to list but a few, and do you know, he gave these away freely to his friends, often accompanied by an original verse by his wife. You could never come away from his house empty handed. If it wasn't something that he had made, it was something that he had grown out of his bountiful garden. He flourished on generosity.

( The above are excerpts from Dr. Palmer Fant's memorial address, courtesy of Alvin C. Benkelman, Jr.)

His obituary was published in the October 7, 1987 Cass City Chronicle.

Alvin Benkelman

Funeral services were held last month for former Cass City resident, Alvin C. Benkelman, who died Sept. 9 in Elk Creek, VA. Born May 8, 1895 in Cass City, Benkelman was a well known civil engineer in the design of flexible pavement. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1919 with a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering and began his professional careert as a pavement and soils engineer with the Illinois Division of Highways, serving on the Bates Road Test. He then became associated with the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads and did research at Purdue University and on the Virginia Demonstration Road in 1926-28. Benkelman continued to work in research and design of flexible pavement with the Michigan State Highway Department in 1928. Returning to the bureau in 1934, Benkelman was in charge of research for the Hybla Valley Test Track and on the WASHO Road Test in Idaho. His work as Research Engineer on the AASHO Road Test in Illinois brought him in contact with engineers from all over the world who gathered to learn of road construction and durability. Benkelman is well known for his invention of the "Benkelman Beam: which is widely used in highway construction to measure pavement deflections. After retirement from the Bureau of Public Roads, he traveled extensively as a consultant for the Asphalt Institute. Benkelman was awarded the Highway Research Board's Roy W. Crum Distinguished Service award in recognition of his work in the field of highway research. In 1967 he retired to the Elk Creek Valley where he became a member of the American Tree Farmer's Association. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed living in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife, Olive S. BENKELMAN; one son, A.C. Benkelman, Jr. of Warrenton, VA; one daughter, Mrs. Ann Scott (Benkelman) PRICHARD Jr. of Sacramento, Ca.; one sister, Marie BROWN of Saginaw; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)



(Research):He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Alvin married Katherine Lynn Ayres on 5 Nov 1927 in Sudley, Prince William County, Virginia. Katherine was born on 14 Jan 1901 in Sudley, Prince William County, Virginia; died on 27 Oct 1940 in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alvin married Olive Porter Scott on 1 Jun 1944 in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. Olive (daughter of Dr. William Worley Scott and Alice May Delp) was born on 18 Dec 1907 in Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia; died on 23 Oct 1996 in Elk Creek, Grayson County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She lived with her daughter Doris Ruth (sic), at the time of her death.

Marie married James Brown in Apr 1926 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan. James was born on 4 Jul 1900 in Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan; died on 6 Aug 1952 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan; was buried in Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 2, 1915
Local Items
Page Four

Miss Ida Benkelman, eleven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Benkelman, who has been ill with blood poisoning was taken to the hospital Sunday. She underwent an operation Monday and although still very seriously ill her condition is slightly more hopeful. Glen Benkelman of Wilkinsburg, Pa. and Dorus Benkelman of Mackinac Island, were called home by the illness of their sister.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday July 9, 1915
Local Items
Page Four

Miss Ida Benkelman is still very seriously ill at the hospital.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday July 16, 1915

Ida Benkelman
Young Girl, Suffering from Blood Poisoning, Died Sunday Evening

Ida Catherine, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Benkelman, died in a local hospital Sunday evening after several weeks of patient suffering from blood poisoning.

No one can explain why a young girl such as Ida was called from this life at twelve. She was the light of a good company of relatives and friends, and bright, happy and cheerful, she carried sunshine wherever she went. Not only in her home, but in the public and the Sabbath schools, where she was a regular and faithful attendant, will she be greatly missed.

Death is a hard master. He would take the brightest and best, but he cannot even mar memory. It will serve as a balm to wounded hearts.

Funeral services were held at the residence on Seeger Street Wednesday afternoon, Rev. D. J. Feather officiating. Interment was made in Elkland cemetery. Besides the parents, there are left to mourn four brothers, Glen of Wilkinsburg, Pa., Dorus of Mackinac Island and Alvin and John, and one sister, Marie.

John married Jean Elizabeth Grant on 11 Jul 1938. Jean was born on 5 Apr 1910 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada; died on 12 Apr 2006 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 21, 1911
Local Happenings
Page 4


Misses Bertha Benkelman of this place and Lottie Benkelman of St. Francis, Kansas, left Saturday morning on a trip to Detroit and Buffalo.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, May 24, 1929
Obituaries

Mrs. Bruce Williams

The remains of Mrs. Bruce Williams were brought from her home in Almena, Kansas to Cass City, arriving heer Sunday morning. Funeral services were conducted in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel G. Benkelman, on Third street, by Rev. Geo. Hill, pastor of the M.E. church on Monday afternoon. Interment was made in Elkland cemetery.

Bertha Benkelman was born in Cass City on August 1, 1883, and graduated from Cass City High School with the class of 1900. She was employed as a compositor in the plant of the Cass City Chronicle for several years and later entered the employ of the Herald at St. Francis, Kansas. On her return to Cass City from Kansas, she was employed as bookkeeper in the implement store of J. A. Caldwell.

On December 11, 1912, Miss Bertha Williams was united in marriage with Bruce Williams. While Mr.Williams was employed as a railway mail clerk on the Rock Island R.R. they made their home at Republic and Omaha, Nebraska. About seven years ago, they moved to Almena, Kansas, where they devoted their attention to the interests on their large farm there. Mrs. Williams had been ill about eight months previous to her death on Thursday, May 16. Death was due to cancer. Funeral services at Almena were held at the M.E. church Friday afternoon. Besides her parents she is survived by two brothers, Joseph and Ward Benkelman, both of Cass City.

Mrs. Williams was a member of the M.E. church at Almena and was affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Her cheerful helpful life will linger long as a fragrant memory with the large number she won as friends.

(Research):
Census Information

At the time of the 1910 Michigan Census, she was living with Benjamin Benkelman, Sr, her Uncle, in Tuscola County.

1920 Census
Nebraska, Douglas County, Omaha, Ward 10
Enumerated 10 Jan 1920
SD 2, ED 113, Sheet 5A
620-87-105
Williams, Edwin B Hd M W 41 M Pa Pa Mo Mail Clerk Railway
Williams, Bertha C Wf F W 36 M Mich NY Mich

1930 Census
Edwin B. Williams, 51 and widowed, was shown as being born in Pennsylvania, with his father also being born in that state and his mother in Missouri. He was living alone, in Almena, Norton County, Kansas (ED 69-3, SD 1, Sheet 8A, stamped 15).

Bertha married Edwin Bruce Williams on 11 Dec 1912 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Edwin was born on 29 Jul 1878 in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania; died on 11 Jan 1963; was buried in Almena, Norton County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
January 8, 1909
Local Items, Page 4

Ernest Schwader, Joseph Benkelman, Philip Much and Herbert Wood returned to college at Lansing Monday after spending several days at their parental homes here.


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

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman and William Ackerman spend Sunday afternoon at the Adolph Wahl home near Bad Axe.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman visited with Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL near Bad Axe Sunday afternoon.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 20, 1968
Page Four

Benkelman rites held Friday

Joseph Benkelman, lifelong resident of this area, died Tuesday, June 11, at Hills and Dale General Hospital. Mr. Benkelman, retired farmer, was 78.

He had been a patient at Hills and Dale for one day.

Mr. Benkelman was born October 5, 1889 in Elkland Township. He and Miss Esther Ackerman were married June 10, 1911 in Cass City.

Survivors are his widow and a brother, Ward, of Cass City.

Services were conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, by Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church, and Rev. Stanley P. Kirn, retired pastor. Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Joseph married Esther Selma Ackerman on 10 Jun 1911 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Esther (daughter of William Akerman and Marie Wittwer) was born on 12 Feb 1888 in Minden City, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 9 Feb 1980 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, February 8, 1989
Cass City Michigan
Page Four

Ward Benkelman

Ward William Benkelman, 94, lifelong resident of Cass City, died Friday, Feb. 3, at Hills and Dales General Hospital after a short illness.

He was born Feb. 15, 1894, in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, as son of Samuel and Mary (Striffler) Benkelman.

He married Miss Anna STEINMAN Dec. 8, 1925, in Cass City. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City, and had served in World War I with the United States Army.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Clare Patton, pastor the Salem United Methodist church, officiating.

Interment was in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Ward married Anna Steinman on 8 Dec 1925 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Anna was born on 8 Sep 1899 in Chandler Township, Huron County, Michigan; died on 20 Feb 1996 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Art Peck instead shows her date of death as March 1, 1961.

Frances married Edwin Stuart Symington on 17 Jan 1921. Edwin was born on 4 Jul 1888 in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Helen married Willard Bigelow McKenna on 30 Oct 1916. Willard (son of John McKenna and Frances Bigelow) was born on 16 Apr 1897 in Shepherd, Isabella County, Michigan; died on 25 Nov 1950 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio; was buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, dated September 1, 1947, reported that John started a new agency, Orchestra House, Inc. in 1947. In Volume 16 of the same periodical it was reported that he had been acting in Commercial pictures for Jam Handy and Wilding Productions in addition to continuing his entertainment agency and speech classes in Detroit.

Billboard magazine
December 24, 1949
Page 39
Music-As Written

Detroit:

Jack Benkelman, partner in Orchetra House, Detroit booking office, has written the lyrics for "Harvest Hoedown," musical version of "Apple of his Eye." Benkelman expects to have some of the numbers interpolated in the Detroit Civic Light Opera season under the direction of Barrie O'Daniels, opening Christmas day.

BonnieMargaret Jacobs referred to him as "Detroit John (Jack)." He was one the family members she personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Notes:

Attended college at Mt. Pleasant Normal (now Central Michigan) and was a teacher. Met her husband at a church social in Berwyn, Illinois.

Volume 25 of the STIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 6, 1965, reported that "Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Ball (Ruth Benkelman) and Mrs. Wilmot Carpenter (Mae Benkelman) entertained Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Smiley (Margaret Striffler) and Mr. and Mrs. Amos Weaver (Laura Striffler) at their trailers in Pinellas Park, Florida, last winter. This is an annual event for them.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 15, 1972
Page Thirteen

Hold Rites in Florida for Mrs. Ruth Ball

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 3, for Mrs. Ruth Ball, 77, or Clearwater, Fla., who died the previous week. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Clearwater.

She was born in St. Francis, Kansas, to the late Ben F. and Minnie Benkelman, Sr. She spent her childhood in Cass City until her marriage to Eustis (sic) T. BALL.

Surviving are her husband, a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy WILLIAMS of Palm Beach, Fla.; two brothers, Harold L. of Caseville and Ben F. Jr. of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Mae CARPENTER of Clearwater and Mrs. Lois PEASE of La Grange, Ill., also three grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth married Eustace Thwaites Ball on 26 Jul 1924 in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois. Eustace was born on 13 Nov 1899 in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England; died on 21 May 1989 in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also was a teacher, attending Mt. Pleasant Normal.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Mich., April 11, 1919
Page Four
Around Our Town
Miss Mae Benkelman, daughter of B.F. Benkelman and a teacher in the Sebewaing schools, is spending her Easter vacation here this week.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
January 6, 1926

Miss Mae Benkelman returned to Flint on Sunday after spending the past two weeks at her home here.

Florence married Wilmot John "Bill" Carpenter on 1 May 1926 in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. Wilmot was born on 1 Jul 1891 in Ballantree, Whiteship Township, York, Ontario, Canada; died on 16 Jun 1961 in Farwell, Clare County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Florence married Eustace Thwaites Ball on 13 Jan 1973 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. Eustace was born on 13 Nov 1899 in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England; died on 21 May 1989 in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ben Benkelman reported that after seing a production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, his brother, Harold, was nicknamed "Sime" by his siblings, who considered him as mean as Simon Legree. The January 17, 1908 Cass City Chronicle had a brief mention of the upcoming "Mason Brother's Uncle Tom's Cabin company at the Opera House," most likely this was the production that inspired Sime's lifelong nickname. Harold would have been around age 11 at the time. He played basketball in High School.

Bob Benkelman wrote that his father was drafted into the army signal corps, where he worked as an airplane mechanic, and was stationed at Rockwell Field near San Diego. According to Wikipedia, the Signal Corps Aviation School was named Rockwell Field, on July 20, 1917, in honor of Second Lt. Lewis C. Rockwell, killed in a crash at College Park in 1912. Also in July, the United States Congress authorized the President to proceed with the taking of North Island for Army and Navy aviation schools. There was a need for trained military pilots as the United States had entered World War I earlier in the year. President Woodrow Wilson signed an Executive Order in August 1917 for condemnation of the land, which was still privately owned. The Army turned over the north end of the island to the Navy and relocated to the south end of North Island, the location of the Rockwell Field Historic District. The Navy's first occupancy of North Island occurred on September 8, 1917, but Congress did not authorize the purchase of North Island, for $6,098,333, until July 1919. The Army selected well-known Detroit industrial architect, Albert Kahn, to develop a site and building designs. Permanent construction of Kahn's design began in mid-1918. During World War I, Rockwell Field provided training for many of the pilots and crews sent to France. It also was the source of men and aircraft for the Sixth and Seventh Aero Squadrons, which established the first military aviation presence in Hawaii and the Panama Canal Zone, respectively.

After his military service, Sime was a Studebaker dealer, and later worked for E.B. Schwaderer, a contractor who built highways throughout the state, and constructed airports all over the midwest during World War II. Before retirement, Harold, worked as head of maintenance of all of the road equipment for the Tuscola County Road Commission.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 24, 1933
Local Happenings
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Benkelman and Mrs. Curtis Hung spent a few days last week hunting at Fairview.

The 1941 issue of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast showed that Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Benkelman and sons had spent the winter holidays in Florida.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, April 16, 1981

Benkelman Funeral Held

Harold Leroy (Sime) Benkelman, 83, of Cass City died Wednesday, April 8, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac.

He was born Nov. 27, 1897, in St. Francis, Kansas, the son of Benjamin F. and Minnie (Jesse) Benkelman. He returned to Cass City as a small child with his parents. They made their home on the family homestead farm.

He married Isabel Fletcher Sept. 14, 1918 in Detroit. Following their marriage, they made their home in Sandusky where he was an auto dealer. They later lived in Cass City, where he was employed as equipment supervisor by the E.B. Schwaderer Construction Company and then Tuscola County Road Commission until his retirement.

He servied with the Army Air Corps during World War I. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist church of Cass City and a life member of Custer Lodge No. 393, F and AM, Sandusky.

Benkelman is survived by his wife; two sons, Bill Benkelman of Bloomfield Hills and Robert Benkelman of Caro; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren; one brother, Benjamin Benkelman of Clearwater, Fla. (sic) and two sisters, Mrs. Eustis Ball of Clearwater, and Mrs. Lois Pease of Pompano Beach, Fla. One sister, Ruth, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Eldred Kelley of the Salem United Methodist church officiating.

Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

Harold married Isabel Lizzie Fletcher on 14 Sep 1918 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Isabel (daughter of Archibald Fletcher and Isabelle Patterson) was born on 25 Oct 1895 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan; died on 3 Nov 1993 in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr. was born in 1899 in a sod hut on the JC Ranch in Jacqua, Kansas. His father, Ben, Sr., had moved to Kansas from Michigan to work for his Uncle at the ranch, and had spent nearly 20 years working as a cowboy. Ben and his three older brothers and sisters were all born on the ranch. In 1901, the family relocated back to Cass City, Michigan, where they purchased a general merchandise store. Ben remembers working at the store as soon as he was old enough to see over the counter. They sold dry goods, groceries, shoes, and crockeries. Ben recalled that the customers just pointed out what they wanted, and it was the clerks job to go gather everything. "We really worked in those days" he said. He remembers making deliveries in a red coaster wagon or by horse and buggy. The horse was named Topsy. Ben said he was the only one of the children who helped his parent's in their store. His other brothers and sisters didn't want to have anything to do with it.

In High School Ben was a star athlete. He was on the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams--four years each, earning a total of 16 letters. He even set several state track records. He graduated from High School during World War I. Fortunately, the war ended a only a few weeks before he was to report for military duty. He went to Kalamazoo College on a football scholarship. His team were the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (MIAA) in 1919. The MIAA is the Nation's Oldest Collegiate Conference.

Ben recalls that one of the games he played was against "the Gipper," who played at the University of Notre Dame. Born in 1895, George Gipp was a varsity athlete at Notre Dame from 1917 to 1920. While planning to pursue a career in baseball, he was convinced by legendary college coach Knute Rockne to play football as well. He led the Fighting Irish to a 27-2-3 record, playing both offense and defense. Several of his records still stand today. Gipp caught a throat infection during one of his final football games at Notre Dame. He died a few weeks later at the age of 25. Just before his death, he told Coach Rockne, "Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys - tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

After a year of college, Ben returned to Cass City to help his parents with the store. He later went to work at the Nestle plant in Cass City. Nestles food had purchased the plant from Hires Milk company around 1922. This plant had been producing "sweetened" condensed milk in Cass City since 1917, employing from 50-100 persons with most of their output being exported. The plant had been established at the urging of a group of local businessmen whose objective was to encourage and secure a milk processing plant to give the local farmers, almost all who had a small dairy herd, an easier way to dispose of their milk.

While working in Cass City, Ben was on the "Ward's Independents" Basketball Team and they were 'Thumb Champions, Michigan' for the 1921-1922 season.

A mutual friend set Ben up on a blind date with Avis Smith, a schoolteacher in a nearby town. This was in 1924. When he arrived to the boarding house to pick her up, she peeked over the balcony to check him out. She had made arrangements with a friend to watch for her signal. If Ben didn't pass muster, the friend was to inform him Avis was sick in bed. He passed with flying colors, however, and they drove nearly 20 miles for Chinese food.

Around this same time, Ben enrolled in a dental technician's program in Chicago. He worked his way through school as a waiter at "Child's One Arm Restaurant." The restaurant was named for the tables the diner's each sat at, similar to old fashioned school desks.

The following article about his studies appeared in the January 8, 1926 issue of the Cass City Chronicle "Ben Benkelman, jr., has completed his studies at the McCarrie School of Mechanical Dentistry at Chicago and is now assisting Dr. P.A. Schenck in the latter's dental parlors where he is gaining practical experience in his chosen work."

Ben and Avis were married in August, 1926. Seven years later, on December 8, 1933, their only child, Bonnie, was born.

Despite being born in the midst of the depression, Bonnie remembers an idyllic childhood. By lucky accident, her father withdrew their life savings from the bank the day before the great bank crash. He took out their savings to buy a winter coat and chair. When he returned to redeposit the balance, the banks had all closed. Ben remained steadily employed, running the dental lab for Dr. Pearl Schenck and then Dr. D.E. Rawson. He was employed by them for 42 years. The Benkelman's owned a house in Cass City, and a cabin in Caseville, on Lake Huron. Ben served on the village council for 11 years, and was twice village president (Mayor). He was never too busy for his daughter though. Bonnie remembers her father helping her, along with half the football team, with their math homework throughout high school.

He was a charter member of the Cass City Gavel Club, and Past Master and Life Member of the Tyler F&AM lodge.

When Ben was in his thirties, he went on a strict diet due to problems with his gallbladder. He abstained from sugar and fat for nearly 30 years. This, and his love of sports, probably contributed to his longetivity. He was able to play golf into his late eighties, and walked every morning and evening until he was nearly 96.

Volume 26 of the STIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published on September 5, 1966, reported that Ben retired "after 40 years as a Dental Technician. He and Avis were going to spend the winter in Houston, Texas with their daughter and family."

When the McLemore's were transferred back to Chicago, Ben and Avis moved onto St. Petersburg, Florida. They lived in a retirement community. They were to fulfill a dream when the visited Hawaii for their 50 wedding anniversary. They also enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise together. Ben had surgery for both kidney cancer and prostate cancer, both of which never reocurred. Avis died in 1981, and Ben lived in Florida for seven more years. After he suffered several minor strokes, he decided to move back to Houston, where the McLemore's had returned. This was around 1988. He lived in a retirement community on his own for several more years.

Ben's biggest fear was that his mind would deteriorate before his body, and sadly this came to pass. Around 1994, suffering from senile dementia and Alzheimer's, Ben moved into his daughter's home. Here he was to live until he died from complications from pneumonia in early 1998. His daughter, Bonnie, and granddaughters, Melinda and Leigh were at his bedside when he died.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically.

He was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family.

(Medical):Cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, Alzheimers disease, kidney and prostate cancer in remission

Benjamin married Avis Augusta Smith on 24 Aug 1926 in Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan. Avis (daughter of William Bertis Smith and Ida Alice Elliott) was born on 4 Apr 1901 in Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan; died on 7 Nov 1981 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, March 15, 1989
Page Twelve
Obituaries

Lois Pease

Mrs. Lois Pease, 84, of Hinsdale, Ill., formerly of Cass City, died Thursday, March 9, at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She was born Jan 18, 1905, the daughter of Benjamin and Wilhamena Jesse Benkelman Sr. She married James Pease, who died in 1979.

Surviving are a brother, Benjamin F. Benkelman, Jr. of Houston, Texas, a sister, Mrs. Mae Ball of Largo, Fla., 2 nephews and 2 nieces. One brother, Harold, and one sister, Ruth, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were scheduled today (Wednesday) at Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Clare Patton, pastor of the Salem United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment was to be in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer, 2007)

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Michigan, Muskegon County, Ravenna Village
Enumerated April 3, 1930 by Norman L. Kyle
ED 61-44 SD 5 Sheet 1B

28-29
Pease, James E. Hd M W 28 M 23 Mich Mich Mich Teacher
Pease, Lois J Wf F W 25 M 19 Mich NY Mich Teacher
Pease, Dudley A Brother M W 15 S Mich Mich Mich none
Jacobs, Evelyn A Boarder F W 24 S Mich Mich Mich Teacher

Lois married James E. Pease on 1 Sep 1925. James was born on 9 Nov 1901 in Midland County, Michigan; died on 3 Jul 1979 in Hinsdale, Dupage County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Postmaster of San Jose, California.

John married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wilmont managed the family farm at McDonald, Kansas.

Charles married Melba Hathaway Sparks on 26 Mar 1939. Melba was born on 6 Jun 1916 in Marshall, Saline County, Missouri; died on 17 Mar 2008 in Manhattan, Riley County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He and his brother, Robert K., were alumni of Kemper Military School of Boonville, Missouri.

http://www.kemperalumni.org/

The brothers were also both veterans of World War II, and are listed online on "Bob's Journal - Kemper men in WWII, Army."

Maj. Ward E. Benkelman, 1937-39
Lt. Robert K. Benkelman, 1939-41
http://okielegacy.org/unclebob/kemperalumni15.html

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, wrote that Ward Benkelman was a student at Kansas University in the Medical Department.

Volume 13 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 4, 1950, reported that he and his wife were living in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was taking his internship at Tripler Hospital.

He later practiced as a physician in St. Francis, Kansas, and later still in Polson, Montana.

Ward married Mary Lewis about 1949 in New York. Mary was born on 6 Jul 1925 in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut; died on 29 Apr 1998 in Polson, Lake County, Montana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He and his brother, Ward E., were alumni of Kemper Military School of Boonville, Missouri.

http://www.kemperalumni.org/

The brothers were also both veterans of World War II, and are listed online on "Bob's Journal - Kemper men in WWII, Army."

Maj. Ward E. Benkelman, 1937-39
Lt. Robert K. Benkelman, 1939-41
http://okielegacy.org/unclebob/kemperalumni15.html


The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, wrote that Robert K. Benkelman graduated from the University of Kansas City in Dentistry and was practicing with Dr. Cody's Dental Group in Denver.

Robert married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, wrote that Mary Barbara Benkelman graduated from Colorado Women's College of Denver.

Volume 23 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated September 7, 1963, noted that Dr. Albert Benkelman's daughter, Barbara, husband and four children moved back to Denver from Seattle during the summer. The other daughter, Bonnie, husband and two children moved from Denver to Chicago where he was employed in Montgomery Ward's office.

She is shown on the SSDI as M. Barbara Park, with her last residence as Littleton, Colorado.

Mary married Herbert Alan Park in Sep 1950. Herbert was born on 21 Feb 1926 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; died on 21 Mar 1974. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, reported that Bonnie Benkelman was a student at Kansas University.

Volume 23 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, dated September 7, 1963, noted that Dr. Albert Benkelman's daughter, Barbara, husband and four children moved back to Denver from Seattle during the summer. The other daughter, Bonnie, husband and two children moved from Denver to Chicago where he was employed in Montgomery Ward's office.

After her death, her daughters authored a website as a place for her family and friends to share their memories of BonnieMargaret:

http://rememberingbonniemargaret.wordpress.com/

Her listing on the SSDI:

MARGARET M JACOBS 18 Feb 1928 10 Jan 2009 (V) 35401 (Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL ) (none specified) 515-22-5894 Kansas

Bonnie also noted on page 5 of her manuscript that although she "may have been Dad's bonnie lass" he never legally changed her name at the time of her adoption, and in the process of trying to get a passport to visit her Aunts in Scotland and the homeland of the Benkelman's in Germany, she decided the most practical course was to begin to use her given legal name, Margaret McDonald.

To her Benkelman relatives who had know her as Bonnie growing up, she suggested they call her BonnieMargaret, or whatever they were most comfortable with.

Bonnie extensively researched the origins of the Benkelman and allied families, beginning her quest after the death of her father when her cousin Bill asked: "Bonnie, what can you tell me about the family?"

She began digging through old family letters and newspaper clippings, visiting relatives in various cities, and even hiring professional genealogists in Germany (Dr. Paul Edel of Aalen and Friedrich Wollmershauser of Stuttgart), and ultimately making a trip to German to view rhe records and the family homes in person. In the preface to her manuscript she said that producing a family history "is remarkably like getting your foot caught in a bear trap. You never intend to find yourself in either mess. It happens accidentally. But once you are committed to it, there is no quick and painless way out of it." Her goal was to publish in 1980, the year her Aunt Lottie would have been 100, and her father 90. She wrote several drafts of the manuscript, before the days of personal computers being widely available, so the long manuscripts were retyped each time. What appears to have been her final draft was completed around 1981. However, as BonnieMargaret was ever the perfectionist she never published or widely circulated her manuscript. Some copies were shared with various relatives, but under strict orders to not copy of disseminate information. Select chapters and drafts of chapters were shared with the family members those chapters pertained to, but the complete draft of the book remained in her possession. After her death, her daughters bequesthed the drafts of her book, along with the voluminous notes and documents used to support her research to the Kansas branch of the Benkelman family. Her history, she said was not a final version, it is a family version. She limited the history to following the Benkelman name, though added there was no Benkelman history without Strifflers, Rommels, Schweglers, Buehrlys, Kolbs, Krapfs, etc etc, and those peopel do pass across the stage, not always remaining.

Barney Benkelman of Helena, Montana was kind enough share a copy of the final draft with me (Melinda McLemore Strong) in 2012.

Family/Spouse: Bruce Hemming Jacobs. Bruce was born on 9 Jul 1926 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; died on 16 Mar 1998 in Casselberry, Seminole County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The October 3, 1924 issue of The Cass City Chronicle, page 4, column 4, noted in Local Items that "Mrs. Benjamin Schwegler and Mrs. Fred Jaus entertained a number of relatives and friends at the home of the latter Wednesday evening in honor of their niece, Miss Donelda Gregor of Puslinch, Ont., who was visting...the time was passed pleasantly in vocal and instrumental music and games after which refreshments, including a weenie roast, were served." In the August 26, 1927 issue of the same paper, also in Local Items, it was noted that "Miss Laura Jaus returned Wednesday evening from a ten-day visit with her Aunt at Puslinch, Canada. Her cousin, Miss Donelda Gregor, returned with her and will spend a few weeks with relatives here."

Art Peck shows that Donelda married James McDonald on 1 Feb 1936.

THE STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST-1961 reported that "The James McDonalds, Puslinch, Ontario, are building a new barn this summer to replace the one destroyed by fire on December 17. They lost twenty three cattle, three horses, and thirty one pigs, a shed, hen house, and farm machinery."

Volume 28 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 2, 1968, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Douglas? McDonald had sold their home at Burlington, Ont. and built a new one in London, Ont. She is the daughter of Laura Schwegler Gregory.

According to Art Peck, they had two sons, Douglas and Paul, and lived in Puslinch, Ontario. At the time of the publication of his book, both were deceased. Douglas married a Gladys Haugh, and had two children, Brent and Michelle. Paul married a Wendy, and had two children as well, Amy and Leslie.

Article about Paul McDonald, the son of Donelda, a member of the Puslinch Fiddle Orchestra.

http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=13219

ABERFOYLE

Paul McDonald has fiddled around with the Puslinch Fiddle Orchestra ever since it got its initial start in 2005.

But in reality, fiddling has been part of McDonald's life since he was 10, says the 63-year-old, who was raised on a farm in Crieff.

"My mom and dad bought me my first fiddle when I was 10 years old from Sears," he recalled. "They brought it home and on Christmas, I opened it and it was a violin."

Fiddles and violins are the same instrument, according to McDonald. The difference is the type of music played. Fiddling relies on the lower notes, while violins are played on higher notes.

The music is distinctively different, where violinists play classical music and fiddlers go for homegrown music like jigs, reels and waltzes.

"It's old-time country Scottish fiddle tunes," he said of the type of music used by fiddlers.

"The only difference between a classical violinist and a fiddle player is about $60 an hour," he quipped.

The price of the instrument used by classical violinists and fiddlers differs substantially. McDonald paid $5,000 for one of his fiddles, while violins can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

His mother Donelda was a pianist at church functions and get togethers and it was her guidance and playing alongside her that slowly honed McDonald's fiddle skills.

"I had no lessons so I played on one string for about six months," he said. "I didn't know how to play all the strings."

His mother asked him to play the music scale and he quickly realized it could not be done playing one string. That prompted him to work hard at mastering the fiddle and its four strings. Eventually he took piano lessons.

"The piano helped me to read music," he added, something that has made his main love, the fiddle, easier to learn and play.

As a teenager he was part of a band, the Country Squires, that played dances. The band had McDonald on fiddle, a drummer, bass player, and guitar. The group played around the countryside until McDonald was in his early 20s. Due to family commitments, he stopped playing on a regular basis, but continued to play the fiddle at home and at family gatherings.

Eventually he would get back at it on a regular basis, forming the Puslinch Fiddle Orchestra.


"It was January of 2005 we started a group at Duff's Presbyterian Church just for something to do in the afternoon and we had five fiddlers and that was just local people," he said. "We set up a schedule and played every third Sunday."

He doesn't know how the word got out, but eventually the tiny group was getting inquiries from other fiddle players wanting to join them for jam sessions.

"It started growing and from there people started coming from Brantford, Stoney Creek, Guelph and the surrounding area," he added.

The church allowed them to practice for free with the understanding they would host an annual concert with proceeds to cover the rental cost.

In 2006 the orchestra and its 43 musicians, including 27 fiddlers, put on their first concert at Duff's - it was sold out.

The church, according to McDonald, can hold about 220 people and offered the orchestra good acoustics and a sound system. Proceeds from the concerts has gone back to the church to cover the orchestra's rental. Any additional money is used at the discretion of the church.

Since 2006, the concerts have been expanded to two and, at one point, three shows, with tickets going for $15. They have sold out every time.

"About seven years ago, Paul McDonald started up the Puslinch Fiddle Orchestra to play old time music, as it was played in the country here in earlier years," local historian Marjorie Clark told the Advertiser in an email.

"There are now approximately 28 fiddlers in the group as well as a pianist (Paul's wife Wendy) and a few guitarists. They hail from far and wide and they are good."

McDonald said the popularity of the orchestra has meant more inquiries about putting on concerts at other churches, something they do when they find time.

Other church concerts are done by donation. They have concerts planned for later this year at Millgrove United Church and Knox Presbyterian Church in Acton.

Most recently they've had an inquiry about participating in a festival out east, but McDonald doesn't think the orchestra will hire a bus and make the trek.

Concerts are usually held during the day because members don't like travelling after dark, he said.

What McDonald has to consider for events for the orchestra is the age of its members and the impact a hectic concert schedule might have. The majority of the musicians range in age from 60 to 90.

By coincidence, McDonald met one of the musicians when he was out on a job for the heating company he works for.

"I was fixing his furnace one day and he asked me 'What do you do'?" McDonald recalled. "I said I play fiddle and he said, 'Me to,' and he started coming out."

As the main organizer for the orchestra's concerts, McDonald usually sends out the written music and a CD of the tunes in December that will be used at the main Duff's concert later the following year.

That allows the musicians to fine-tune each song individually in preparation of practices and the final concert. The concerts also feature solo artists as well as a the full orchestra playing.

McDonald also repairs and makes fiddles using Canadian wood. It's essential the wood has tight growth rings to get the sound of the fiddle to exacting standards. The wood of choice is spruce for the top panels, and maple for the sides and back. The tuning pegs and fingerboard are made of ebony.

McDonald is proud to acknowledge the fiddles are made from all natural products, including the wood and horse hair bows. Even the glue used to put them together comes from an insect in India.

The instruments have no frets for the musician to follow, as is the case with guitars. He said musicians can buy a fret board to lay on the fingerboard, but that is frowned on.

"That's a no-no," he added.

The notes of the strings, from lowest string to highest string, are G,D,A,E, with the E the most difficult to tune, he said.

The strings are tuned a fifth apart, which means the number of tone intervals between one string and the next is five. In practice, this means playing a string together with its neighbour gives a nice sound, a chord in fact. A lot of fiddle players use this "perfect fifth" sound to tune the fiddle, but it takes practice and experience.

Most fiddles are tuned with the pegs and then the fine tuners are located on the bridge. Some fiddlers tune all strings to be fairly close using the pegs, however, McDonald prefers to use the fine tuners on the tailpiece to get tuning accurate.

It also allows him to tune his strings while playing. Some musicians tune the A, then the E, and then the G and the D. They will then re-do the A and E, as tensioning the G and D can change the tension of the other strings.

McDonald has even worked out a routine close to the end of a concert to inject some humour and to thank those who attended.

At one concert he built a fiddle that would explode. Prior to it coming apart, the audience thought it was an expensive fiddle. When they saw it explode they were shocked.

"The top flew off and the people thought it was a new Stradivarius," he said.

It was a routine he had fun with, although it can only be done at the first concert because the trick would be known to subsequent concertgoers.

Besides playing historical tunes, McDonald said musicians continue to come up with new tunes.

"There's a lot of fine people in Canada who write good, old-time fiddle music," he said, pointing out well-known Fergus fiddler Scott Woods.

This year the orchestra is planning its first Christmas concert at Duff's - tentatively scheduled for November.

"It's a wonderful group," he said of his fellow musicians. "It's enjoyable, the outcome is so rewarding."

Vol 45 Issue 32

August 10, 2012

Notes:

Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published September 4, 1967, reported that Gordon Gregor recently purchased a new home in Hespeler, Ontario, where he had been employed for 30 years.

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn City
Enumerated 16 April 1930 By Sadie J. Ayres
ED 82-891 SD 18 Sheet 18B
6519 Hartwell
25-422
Gregor, Gordon J Hd M W 24 M 23 Mi Mi MI Attendant Gas Station
Gregor, Florence Wf F W 22 M21 Mi Mi Mi
Gregor, Robert Son M W 0/12 S Mi Mi Mi

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
January 6, 1926

Chester Schultz and Lincoln Gregor of Puslinch, Ontario, who have been visiting relatives here, left the latter part of the week for Kingston.

At the time of the 1930 U.S. Census, a 22 year old Lincoln Gregor was a boarder in the home of John and Ida Larson of Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan [ED 63-61, SD 14th, Sheet 9A, Stamped 60, 374 Oakland Avenue]. He was listed as born in Canada, to Canadian parents, and as employed doing Auto Metal Finish. Despite the difference in the place of birth of his mother, this does appear to be the same Lincoln Gregor.

From: CASS CITY CHRONICLE-FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1949 - "Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Gregor of Whitby, Ont., and Mrs. Charles Gregor and grandson, Douglas McDonald, of Puslinch, Ont., were guests of Mrs. Charles Gregor'sbrother, B. A. Schwegler, and other relatives in this vicinity from
Tuesday to Friday."

Lincoln married Dorothy Mabel Cornish on 25 Dec 1940 in Freeman, Ontario, Canada. Dorothy was born on 8 Jun 1915 in Whitby Township, Ontario, Canada; died on 10 Jun 1989 in Whitby Township, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said to have married first Campbell MACKINNON, later marrying a Mr. MOFFAT.

Notes:

He and his brother Edward jointly operated a home Dairy Farm in Charlotte for a time, selling their operations in 1952, according to the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST.

Cass City Chronicle
September 4, 1975

Andrew Schwegler, 65, dies at Manistee

Andrew Schwegler, 65, a former Cass City resident, died Sunday in Manistee Hospital following a long illness.

He was born February 8, 1910, in Cass City, son of William and Alice Ross Schwegler.

He was an employee of Westinghouse and lived in Lansing a number of years before retiring four years ago and moving to Manistee.

He married Isabel Clough, August 1, 1931.

He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Donald Bannecker (sic) of Richmond, Indiana, and four grandchildren. A brother, Edward, preceded him in death.

A memorial service was held Wednesday at Onekama Congregational church.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, 2007)

Andrew married Kathryn Isabel Clough on 1 Aug 1931. Kathryn was born on 14 Jun 1911 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan; died on 5 Oct 2002 in Ocala, Marion County, Florida. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The SSDI had his year of birth as 1911, whereas Art Peck had 1913.

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 5, September 1, 1941, noted that Pvt. Edward W. Schwegler, stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana, has been hospitalized for the past several weeks. Vol. 7 of this same publication, dated September 4, 1944, noted that he had been honorably discharged from the armed services sometime prior to that date. Volume 17 of the Broadcast, published on September 6, 1954, reported that he had bought a hardware business in Coopersville last fall and his family had moved there.

Cass City Chronicle
March 1, 1957

Edward Schwegler Dies at Coopersville

Edward Schwegler, 45, of Coopersville died Sunday night in a Coopersville hospital to which he had been admitted that day. Mr. Schwegler was a native of Cass City, where he lived until 1944.

Son of Mrs. Alice Schwegler, now of Charlotte, and the late William Schwegler, he was born on the farm now owned by John Zinnecker. He attended the Bird School and was graduated from Cass City High School.

While living in Cass City, he was employed at the Farm Produce office and was a member of Salem Evangelical United Brethren church.

He operated a dairy store in Charlotte after leaving Cass City and entered the hardware business in Coopersville three years ago.

Mr. Schwegler is survived by his wife, Olive, seven year old daughter, Kay Ann; his mother, and a brother, Andrew Schwegler of Lansing.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at Coopersville.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, 2007)

Edward married Olive Lape about 1948. Olive was born on 3 Sep 1913; died on 27 Apr 2005 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
April 15, 1987

Obituaries
Page Eleven

Laura Lenzner

Laura M. Lenzner, 79, Bad Axe, died Tuesday, April 7, at McKenzie Memorial Hospital, Sandusky, after a long illness.

She was born May 16, 1907 in Elkland Township, daughter of the late Fred and Mary (Schwegler) JAUS. She married Dr. Gray F. Lenzner Oct. 25, 1940 in Geneva, Ohio. He preceded her in death Nov. 2, 1961. Mrs. Lenzner attended the Wright Rural Elementary School, Elkland Township. She was employed at the former A&P and Economy markets in Cass City. She was a librarian at Bad Axe Public Library for many years and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe. Surviving are a number of cousins. Services were held Friday at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. David Dively, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Colfax Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Laura Lenzner was one of the cousins of BonnieMargaret Jacobs who searched their Bibles and records and picture collections to provide information for her 1981 manuscipt about the history of the Benkelman family.

Laura married Grey Franklin Lenzner on 25 Oct 1940 in Ohio. Grey (son of Franklin H. Lenzner and Anna Bell Hamill) was born on 10 May 1899 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 2 Nov 1961 in Caseville, Huron County, Michigan; was buried in Colfax Cemetery, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Art Peck instead shows her life span from 1905-1906. Could Fred and Mary have had two daughters named Catharine, both that died young? Or is Art just mistaken.

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
April 15, 1976

Mrs. Klein dies April 8

Mrs. Joseph (Mildred) KLEIN, 59, of Port Huron, formerly of Cass City, died Thursday, April 8, in Port Huron after a long illness.

She was born October 29, 1916, in Cass City, and had been a resident of Port Huron since 1953.

She attended schools in Cass City and graduated from the Bay City Business College. Mrs. Klein was employed at Petroland Bottle Gas Company for 13 years until her illness.

She married Joseph KLEIN February 9, 1942 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Mary P. MIEKSZLYN of Marysville and Mrs. Fern L. HYSLOP of St. Clair; four sons, Jack of Pittsburgh, Pa.; James of Port Huron, Robert of Brunswick, Ga.; and Andrew of Lexington; her mother, Mrs. Joanna SCHWEGLER of Cass City, one sisters, Mrs. Marjory BATTEL of Cass City, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral was held Saturday at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with Rev. Douglas A. Trebilcock of First United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of ovarian cancer.

Mildred married Joseph Forest "Jack" Klein on 9 Feb 1942 in Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio. Joseph was born on 29 Mar 1915 in Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan; died on 30 Oct 1988 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan; was buried on 2 Nov 1988 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Attended the rural Wright School, located in Elkland Township on mile east and two miles north of Cass City on the southeast corner of Schwegler and Reed roads. A picture of the Wright School Girls-1931, shows Dorothy Deneen, Ruth Tuckey, Betty McCallum, Fern Schwegler, Helen Joos, Kathleen McCallum, Leila Battel (teacher), Marie Deneen, Alice Buehrly, Marjory Schwegler. Wright School Boys-1931, Lawrence Holik, Leon Holik, Keith Buehrly, Russell Ellis, Russell Striffler, James Tuckey, Calvin Helwig, Fred Withey, Clinton Law, Henry Hulbert. (The Way it Was, The Cass City Area Historical Society, Vol 7, July 2002, Number 4).

Marjory Battel was one of the cousins of BonnieMargaret Jacobs who searched their Bibles and records and picture collections to provide information for her 1981 manuscipt about the history of the Benkelman family. She and her daughter, Maggie, also identified people in the old family photos of numerous cousins, many of which are displayed on this website.

MARJORY MAGDALENE SCHWEGLER BATTEL

Marjory M. Battel, 89, of Cass City, died peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, April 20, 2008 in her home following a short illness. She was born April 26, 1918 at home in Elkland Township to Benjamin and JoAnna Magdalene (Mark) Schwegler. She married Arthur William Battel November 19, 1942 in the Cass City Evangelical United Brethren Church. He died December 2, 2006.

Marjory graduated from Cass City High School in 1937 as Salutatorian of her class. She enjoyed gardening. Marjory loved to read and was a very active member of Fraser Presbyterian Church. She was a Youth Fellowship Leader, Sunday School Teacher and 4H Leader. Marjory was a very giving, humble person. She served others and led by her example, asking not for acknowledgement. She loved to bake and cook, preparing food for her family and friends.

Marjory is survived by her children: John (Reba) Battel of Dandridge, TN, Mark (Diane) Battel of Cass City, Margaret (Richard) Bethel of Belmont; grandchildren: Michael (Andrea) Battel, Philip (Charise) Battel, Christopher (Kara) Battel, Robert (Sue) Battel, Brenda Battel, Daniel Bethel; great granddaughters: Laura, Elaina, Carla, Addy, Dori, Ella; great grandsons: Fisher and Andrew John; several nieces and nephews; special cousin, Sharon Fox. She is preceded in death by her sisters: Mildred Klein and Fern Howe.

Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2008 in Kranz Funeral Home Cass City with Rev. David Blackburn of Fraser Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will take place in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Pallbearers for Mrs. Battel: Michael Battel, Christopher Battel, Robert Battel, Brenda Battel, Daniel Bethel and Andrew Klein. Memorials may be made to the Fraser Presbyterian Church.. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday before the service
Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan Debra L. Kranz - 989-872-2195

(Courtesy of Lorraine Smith Benkelman)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of pancreatic cancer.

An Imitation of Christ
Scripture and message
Written and Delivered by Daniel Bethel, Grandson


12:9-21

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thrist, give him drink; for in doing so thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.


Message

The theme of this message is, "an imitation of Christ". That is who Marjory was. The first Scripture, Romans 12: 9-21, was selected by Marjory for this occasion. The Scripture describes the way Christians are called to live and Marjory sought to obey it. The second Scripture, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 is a Scripture that Marjory read when she was younger and deeply defined her life an important crossroads. Allow me to tell you the story in brief:

As many of you might know, Marjory was salutatorian of her high school class. And even if you didn't know that, you probably know she was an extremely intelligent. After high school Marjory was awarded a scholarship to attend college by a local church group. At first, Marjory accepted. However, there was a series of devastating fires in the community and left several families in dire need and homeless. The victims of the fires came to the church asking for financial assistance but the church could not help because the money was already promised to Marjory for her scholarship. When Marjory learned of the need in the community she returned the money to the church instructing them to give it to the victims of the fire. She never went to college.

As I thought about this story and about Marjory I began to see the imitation of Christ - both intentional and unintentional in her life. I would like first to share the, perhaps, unintentional.

Christ and Marjory were both very intelligent people. They had opportunities to use that intelligence to advance themselves. Christ could have easily gone to Jerusalem, studied with and astounded the great teachers of His day - as early as the age of 12 but He chose to stay in His community. Likewise Marjory could have gone on to have higher education and accomplished who-knows-what. But she chose to stay in her community. Christ and Marjory saw needs in their communities and humbly sought to fulfill them. For approximately 20 years or more Christ learned the family trade of carpentry and worked hard to use this sustain his family and help others in need. Much the same way, Marjory married, learned the Battel family trade of maple syrup and farming, and worked hard at both. Finally, as noted before Christ and Marjory were both very intelligent people but neither had great schooling. In fact, when Jesus first started his ministry those who knew Him were astounded by His knowledge and wisdom. Christ was filled with the Holy Spirit which guided Him though His life and teachings but I do not believe that Christ just automatically knew the Scriptures He quoted. During his 30 years He very likely went to his synagogue, read, and learned the Holy Scriptures on His own initiative. Marjory did much the same. After turning down the scholarship Marjory made a commitment to learn all that she could. Not only did she educate herself in the Bible but in may other areas of subjects. Both Christ and Marjory did not begrudge what they did not have but rejoiced and took advantage of what they did have.

Yet that is not all to be said because Marjory very much intentionally lived as an imitation of Christ. The passage of Romans describes the actions of the Christian life. Now as a human being Marjory was not perfect; like all of us she had sins to be forgiven and imperfections to overcome. But that is not what we focus on when think of her. We think about her service, her unconditional love, her humility, her wisdom, and so on. And those we will miss the most. Yet I want to make an audacious claim. The awe-inspiring and admirable acts of service and character were not inherent in Marjory. She was simply not born like that. Those are merely fruits of her greatest accomplishment - the one we should respect the most. Marjory Battel's greatest accomplishment was her daily submission and obedience to Christ her Lord. What we will miss most about Marjory Battel is Christ in Marjory Battel. In a world where Christ is hard to see and often misrepresented, Marjory's submission shined the Person of Christ like a lighthouse on a dark and stormy night - and we were all drawn to it. The Apostle Paul describes it as such in his letter to the Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

And finally, here is Gospel, here is Good News for us today. What we loved most about Marjory Battel does not pass with Marjory Battel. Christ lives and therefore we live and can choose to live the beautiful and powerful life of Christ as Marjory did. What we feel we have lost, can be found once again. If are but willing to submit and obey Christ as much as we can, even as Marjory imperfectly did, we fill find that the wounds received in her departure can be healed and that Marjory's life is also our life for it all is One Life found in Christ.

Marjory married Arthur William Battel on 19 Nov 1942 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Arthur (son of John William Battel and Bessie Sowden) was born on 14 Jan 1917 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 2 Dec 2006 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
Cass City, Michigan, Sept. 15, 1920
Page Four
Local Items

Alma Fern is the name given to the baby girl who arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Schwegler on September 8.

Attended the rural Wright School, located in Elkland Township on mile east and two miles north of Cass City on the southeast corner of Schwegler and Reed roads. A picture of the Wright School Girls-1931, shows Dorothy Deneen, Ruth Tuckey, Betty McCallum, Fern Schwegler, Helen Joos, Kathleen McCallum, Leila Battel (teacher), Marie Deneen, Alice Buehrly, Marjory Schwegler. Wright School Boys-1931, Lawrence Holik, Leon Holik, Keith Buehrly, Russell Ellis, Russell Striffler, James Tuckey, Calvin Helwig, Fred Withey, Clinton Law, Henry Hulbert. (The Way it Was, The Cass City Area Historical Society, Vol 7, July 2002, Number 4).

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Fern Schwegler, Cadet Nurse at Hurley Hospital Flint, was set to graduate in Feb. 1945. As of the September 3, 1945 issue (Vol. 8), it was reported that she had graduated and was in essential nursing in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the home of the atomic bomb. Vol. 9 of this same periodical reported that she was again employed at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and for three months prior to that she was at Big Spring, Texas, Hospital.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, October 7, 1965
Page Seven

Mrs. Philo Howe, 45 Dies in Tennessee

Mrs. Philo Howe, 45, died Wednesday, September 29, in Oak Ridge Hospital, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The former Fern SCHWEGLER, she was born September 8, 1920, at Cass City. She was graduated from Cass City High School in 1938 and from Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. She entered government service with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission as a registered nurse at Oak Ridge Hospital.

She was married to Philo E. Howe of Charlevoix, Michigan March 20, 1948, in Oak Ridge and lived in that vicinity until her death.

Mrs. Howe is survived by her husband and two daughters, Patricia Fern, 12, and Diane Lee, 10. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. B.A. SCHWEGLER, and two sisters, Mrs. J.F. KLEIN, of Port Huron and Mrs. Arthur BATTEL of Cass City.

Funeral services were held October 2 in Martins Funeral Chapel at Oak Ridge. Rev. Ray Buchanan of Solway Baptist Church officiated and interment was in Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

Cass City Chronicle
October 7, 1965
Cass City Area Social and Personal News
Page 3

Mrs. B.A. SCHWEGLER, Mrs. Arthur BATTEL, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. KLEIN of Port Huron and Mrs. Andrew Schwegler of Lansing attended the funeral of Mrs. Philo HOWE in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Saturday.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of brain cancer.

Alma married Philo E. Howe on 20 Mar 1948 in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee. Philo was born on 22 May 1921 in Michigan; died on 7 Jul 1994 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
May 24, 2000
Obituaries, Page 14

Louise Agar

Louise M. Agar, 84, died Tuesday May 16, 2000, at Covenant Care (St. Luke's) in Saginaw.

She was born in the Decker area August 11, 1915, the daughter of Orton Klinkman and Catherine (Schwegler) Klinkman. January 1, 1942, she married Roy Agar. He died November 16, 1996.

She was a homemaker and worked on the family dairy farm.

She attended Pine School, worked in several homes caring for others and was employed by Dr. Webster for several years before marriage. She was a charter member of the Marlette Hospital Auxiliary, of which she had been a member for 49 years. She did volunteer work as a Gray Lady and worked in the gift shop. She was a past 4-H leader, active member of the Germania Lutheran Ladies Aid, past Friendship Club and farm Bureau member.

She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (Leon) TRAINOR of Snover; a son Keith AGAR of Marlette; three grandsons; two sisters, Margaret (Vyron) BEULTER of Kingston and Laura DALE of Marlette, a brother, Wilfred (Arlene) KLINKMAN of Smiths Creek, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents, and a brother, Charles KLINKMAN.

Funeral services were held Friday May 19 at the Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette with the Rev. Kenneth Parker officiating.

Burial was in the Marlette Cemetery.

Louise married Roy B. Agar on 1 Jan 1942 in Marlette, Sanilac County, Michigan. Roy was born on 20 Jun 1912 in Ionia County, Michigan; died on 16 Nov 1996 in Saginaw County, Michigan; was buried in Marlette Cemetery, Marlette, Sanilac County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Margaret M. Beutler, Kingston, MI~ Passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 at Marlette Hospice Residence, at the age of 91. Mrs. Beutler had lived in Kingston since 1980 and was previously from the West Bloomfield area. She was born Feb. 17, 1917 in Decker, daughter to the late Orton and Catherine (Schwagler) Klinkman. She married Vyron E. Beutler March 16, 1940 in Ohio. He preceded her in death Sept. 24, 2006. Margaret and her late husband sold produce at the Oakland Co. Farmers Market for many years. She enjoyed painting, crocheting, cooking, gardening and most of all, her family. She is survived by sons, Ronald (Sharon) Beutler of Kingston and Eugene (Phyllis) Beutler, also of Kingston; daughter, Janet (Harmon) Beaty of Hartland; brother, Wilford Klinkman of Smith Creek; sister, Laura Dale of Marlette; sister-in-law, Jackie MacAlpine of Argyle; seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Charles Klinkman and sister, Louise Agar. Funeral service will be held Monday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. in Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette, with Pastor Len Wyatt officiating. Burial will be in Elkland Cemetery in Cass City. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-7 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette. Memorials may be made to the donation of choice. Tuscola County Advertiser 9-13-08

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~caillet101/2008_Tuscola_County_MI_Obits.html

Margaret married Vyron "Vern" E. Beutler on 16 Mar 1940 in Ohio. Vyron was born on 19 Aug 1911 in Drake, Mchenry County, North Dakota; died on 24 Sep 2006 in Marlette, Sanilac County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Wilfred Klinkman was stationed on an island in the Pacific. As of the September 3, 1945 issue (Vol. 8), it was reported that he was still in the Pacific. In Volume 9, dated September 2, 1946, the column titled "Our Service Men Who Have Returned Home", noted that he had returned after four years' service in the Pacific area.

Wilfred married Arlene Ward on 27 Oct 1945 in Marlette, Sanilac County, Michigan. Arlene was born about 1921 in Wisconsin; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 15 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 1, 1952, reported that besides operating his father's farm, Charles has accepted a position with the Trailer Mfg. Co in Marlette.

Cass City Chronicle
June 14, 1962

Klinkman Services Held in Marlette

Funeral services were held Sunday at the Marsh Funeral Home, Marlette, for Charles H. Klinkman, 38, Decker, following his death from a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

Klinkman, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Orton Klinkman, was born March 23, 1924, in Decker. A bachelor, he spent his entire life at the family's farm residence in Lamotte township.

According to a report by investigative officers, Klinkman was despondant over the death of his mother last April. His father preceded him in death in September, 1961.

Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Roy (Louise) AGAR, Marlette, Mrs. Vyron (Margaret) BEUTLER, Pontiac, and Mrs. Donald (Laura) DALE, Marlette, and a brother, Wilfred, Smiths Creek.

Officiating at the service were Rev. Lester Nelsen, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Kingston and Rev. Joseph SHAW, Decker. Interment was in Elkland Cemetery.

Pallbearers were: Kitchener INNES, JR., James DARLING, Leland WENDORF, Donald INNES, Marvin INNES and Carl GEISTER.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died in a private plane crash.

His obituary is indexed on Cleveland Public Library's index as having been published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 2, 1999, Page 6, Section B. The full obituary was not available online, however..

William married Sylva B. Carter on 27 Jun 1953 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Sylva was born on 27 Mar 1926 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; died on 13 Jul 1996 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Hilda Stickley Benkelman instead shows her birthday as 31 March 1926.

The September 6, 1948 issue of the STRIFFLER BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 11, reported that Ruth Benkelman, the daughter of Glen Benkelman, graduated from Ohio State University in March and was working as receptionist at the Cleveland Auto Club.

Ruth married Carl Simmelink on 5 May 1951 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Carl was born on 24 Jun 1919 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 26 Feb 1994 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, noted that Alvin C. Benkelman, Jr graduated from Alexandria High School and joined the U.S. Army, serving with the Medical Corp in Korea. As of Volume 11, it was noted that he was discharged from the Army of Occupation, Korea, and was to enter the University of Virginia in the fall.

The following was written by Al in August 2000, a self titled memoir of his misspent youth

FRANK AND BENK

A hundred years ago when we were both young and full of it, we were double dating with a neighbor's two girls ( for the first time). We wanted to impress them so we took them to a Hungarian restaurant/night club in Washington, D.C., and did it up right - steaks, sparkling burgandy - the whole nine yards. Due to a slight misunderstanding, Frank thought I had money, and I thought he had it. We had to borrow money from our dates to pay the bill. And you know those ungrateful girls would not go out with us again. They didn't know the chance they missed.

Now for the raccoon story. We were camping in the Adirondacks with Frank and our children and dog several years ago. Our camp site was in a rocky hill area that was over run with raccoons. In those days, we knew how to camp - two tents and a screen enclosure/mess tent and dining area. The site was a little cramped for all these tents so Frank elected to sleep in the mess tent. Oh, yes, we had had champagne with our evening meal. We sat around the campfire after the children were down for the night, with Frank smoking and us reminiscing, ringed by eyes of 'coons glowing in the dark. Occasionally a brave one would come close to beg for food. At about l0:00 p.m. we secured the food in cars or tied them up high bedded down for the night. I awoke about l:00 a.m. to a great clatter of pans. From the position of our tent, I could shine a light down in the mess tent and was treated to the sight of Frank in his shorts with the champagne bottle raised on high chasing a very large 'coon around the picnic table. After I stopped laughing, I went down and unzipped the door of the mess tent, and the 'coon ran out. Frank has never seen the humor in this incident. His comment you never looked up at a large raccoon looking down at you.

Of all the rivers Frank and I have canoed, I think Frank will agree that the Cacapon in West Virginia was our favorite. We went down it several times with a dozen stories for each trip; those were the days. There was the time we came up to the community of Capon Bridge and learned that the little stream behind the store had just been stocked with trout. I was fishing with great success (Frank's not a fisherman). I would catch them, take them to Frank who was cleaning them, and putting them in the cooler. I had lost track of the number I had caught, and asked Frank how many there were, and was told nine. The limit was six. We packed up and shoved off! We grilled them for supper, eating eight between us. I think Frank will agree that was the best trout we ever ate.

There is a waterfalls on the bank of the Cacapon feeding into the main stream about l0 feet across called the Bridal Veil Falls, a large rock covered with moss, and the water streaming off of it in a hundred little rivulets - a magnificent sight in its own right. We landed and climbed a porous limestone bank rising 50 feet up from the river to fill our canteens in one of the many springs that fed the falls. In one of these pools surrounded by bright green moss a Scarlet Tanager was taking a bath. This was one of the most brilliant sights either of us had ever seen in nature. We filled our canteens with cold clear water [not the bird bath] and returned, inspired, to the canoe and continued our trip.

One more and I will quit. Then there was the time we ran out of beer. A common occurrence on a 3 or 4 -day trip because of weight constraints. At evening camp Frank was building a fire place and I was fishing from the bank. Now we were miles from anywhere. I snagged my favorite lure out in the river and waded out to retrieve it. you guessed it, it was snagged on a unopened 6-pack of beer. It may have been a little flat but we thanked our good fortune and drank with gusto.

Frank and I have put a lot of water under our keel in more ways than one. We have argued, rejoiced and enjoyed one another's company. In short, best friends. BENK

Alvin married Carol Macomber on 3 Mar 1951 in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia. Carol was born on 31 Mar 1930 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois; died on 29 Oct 2011 in Warrenton, Fauquier County, Virginia; was buried on 5 Nov 2011 in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Catlett, Faquier County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Volume 10, September 1, 1947, wrote that he graduated from Pigeon High School and planned to be a farmer.

James married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, February 10, 1928
Vol. 23, No. 23

Junior Class Lost Honor Student
Death of Fern M. Benkelman is mourned by a Large Circle of Friends

A death mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives and one of that greatly shocked the entire community was that of Miss Fern Marie Benkelman, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman, who passed away unexpectedly shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday night, February 2, after a ten day illness with pneumonia. She was nearly 16 years of age, her birthday being March 27, 1912.

Fern was an honor student of the Cass City High School, her name appearing each year among those who won special honors in their monthly and semester standings. She was a member of the Junior Class, the Girls' Glee club, and president of the community club, a school organization. Twice she was elected to represent the local school in a statewide academic contest for the high school pupils, at the Central Normal at Mt. Pleasant, both years winning honors for her school.

Her activities in church work were also outstanding and made her a much admired and loved member of the Evangelical Sunday School, Junior choir, and Butzbach Missionary Circle. Fern served as an assistant pianist at this church, faithfully and efficiently.

Rev. C.F. Smith, pastor of the Evangelical church officiated at the funeral service which was held at the family residence Monday afternoon and attended by one of the largest companies of relatives and friends ever gathered at a similar occasion in this community. Members of the Junior class, numbering about 60, attended the services in a body, and bore the many beautiful floral tokens of affection to the Elkland cemetery where the burial services were held in the chapel.

Donald and Robert WALLACE, Lester BATTEL, Clark HELWIG, Maurice JOOS and Edward SCHWEGLER served as pallbearers.

Friends and relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. William ACKERMAN of Hartford City, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. WAHL and son, Mr. and Mrs. Milton GILBERT, C. WAHL and Mr. and Mrs. Albert WAHL, all of Bad Axe; Henry BENDER and Mrs. Druit CAPLING of Caro; Rev. and Mrs. F.L. POHLY, Mr. and Mrs. John SCHWALM and Marjorie HESS, all of Sebewaing, Mr. and Mrs. Walter GRAICHEN, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur GETZE, and Albert HIRZEL, all of Forestville; Miss Marjorie SICKLES of Saginaw, Mrs. W.J. CARPENTER of Flint; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. BROWN of Pigeon; Mrs. Wm. SMITH and Albert and Miss Bertha YIETTER, all of Harbor Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. KOSANKE and sons, Ralph and Donald of Pontiac.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is buried near his grandparents, Ben F. and Minnie Benkelman. The tombstone inscription reads, "Infant son of H.L. and I. Benkelman, 1922." Robert Fletcher Benkelman reports that his parents had also named their first son Robert, and that he died of pneumonia.

Notes:

Bob Benkelman had the following rememberances about his parents early life, and his own birth.

""You'll be ready to deliver around September first", the Doctor advised in early 1926. Dad and Mother had lost a boy named Robert to pneumonia in 1921. He had lived to be three months old.

Mother was known for worrying. If there was nothing to worry about, she worred about that. Isabel was the daughter of Captain Archie Fletcher, a Great Lakes ship's captain and Isabelle Patterson, a beautiful , yet neurotic Canadian. Isabel's life was completely entwined with that of her identical twin, who died at the age of three.

The summer of 1926 in Sandusky, Michigan was an especially hot one. In late August, huge with this person and frenzied, she finally discarded her maternity clothes. Threw them in the trash is what she did and confined her daily attire to a loose bathrobe. She called Aunt Vera, her older brothers wife, affectionately known as "Ooftie" to come stay with her during the final days. "Ooftie" was an RN.

Perhaps reluctant to leave a warm comfortable place, I didn't arrive until October first. At a healthy eleven pounds, ten ounces, Mother's worries could focus elsewhere. I was born at home, what doctor attended, I don't ever recall learning. Mother was nearly 31 years old, Dad was a month away from 28. They had a home beside the Studebaker garage that they owned and operated since the early 20's. Dad was a mechanic, salesman and manager. Mother made regular trips to South Bend, Indiana on the train to drive back with new Studebakers.

The long awaited arrival of Robert Fletcher Benkelman could not have brought enough happiness to offset what was to happen next. However Dad was in an auto smash-up which broke his back and in ensuing months almost killed him. The Studebaker garage was completely destroyed by fire along with their home located directly beside it. They lost everything except the clothes they were wearing and there was no insurance. Nobody talked much about it over the years and some photographs of the disaster complete my information.

It was "start-over" time and on October 23, 1928 Brother, William Donald Benkelman weighed in at a more normal density. They were now in Royal Oak, Michigan. Father was equipment maintenance foreman for the E. B Schwaderer Construction Company. Roads and Highways in Michigan were being paved with concrete and Cass City native, Schwaderer was paving a big share of them."

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Robert Benkelman was an apprentice reserve of the V-12 units, U.S.N.R., Mt. Pleasant.

The September 6, 1948 issue of the STRIFFLER BENKELMAN BROADCAST, noted that Bob and his brother Bill were Cruise Directors, Bob on the South American and Bill on the North American.

The September 1, 1952 issue of the same periodical, reported that he was announcing from Radio Station WBCM, Bay City, and resided with his family at 501 N. Sheridan. The 1962 issue of the Broadcast reported he had opened a Radio Station, W.K.Y.O, 1360 k.c., in Caro, Michigan. In Volume 25, dated September 6, 1965, it was reported that "The Robert Benkelman family purchased the G.A. Striffler estate appropriatedly in Cass City's Centennial year. They moved on August 1, 1965."

Bob's obituary follows:

Robert F. Benkelman, who worked to develop radio broadcasting in the Thumb, established WKYO in Caro and helped many young local announcers launch their careers, died Friday at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 79. Born in Sandusky on Oct. 1, 1926 to Harold L. and Isabel (Fletcher) Benkelman, he was raised in Cass City, served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from Michigan State with a communications degree in 1950. He married Lorraine B. Smith September 30, 1950, in Kalamazoo. After working as an announcer at WFYC in Alma, WILS in Lansing and WBCM in Bay City, Bob and Chuck Anthony formed a group of investors to start the Water Wonderland Broadcasting Company in the mid-1950s and went on the air as WWBC. He later sold his interest in WWBC and founded the Tuscola Broadcasting Company with James McCoy, going on the air as WKYO 1360 in Caro in 1962. He started WKYO-FM 104.9 in the 1980's, later changing the call letters to WIDL, which now broadcasts on 92.1. Mr. B,' as he called himself on the air, did every job at his stations, from custodial work to writing ad spots to overall management. He felt that small-town radio should be local in nature, giving the public the news of the community, from lost animals to a trip to the Thumb by the president of the U.S. As small-town radio stations are also starting places for young announcers, many of the successful radio and TV people in this area were helped and taught by Bob at WKYO and WIDL. He and his company belonged to the National Association of Broadcasters, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Radio Advertising Bureau, the Caro Chamber of Commerce and the Cass City Chamber of Commerce. A veteran of the U. S. Navy (1944-1946), Bob in 1999 volunteered to help restore the SS American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum in Tampa, Florida. He was a published writer, with several articles in the local press in Florida. Bob loved working on and operating all manner of transportation - planes, boats and automobiles. During the 1970s, he obtained his pilot's license and owned several planes. He also was an avid boater and amateur auto mechanic. He took physical fitness seriously, regularly lifting weights and doing four-mile fast-walks -- and rejecting offers of car rides from passing friends. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Caro Moose Lodge, the Caseville Eagles Club and the Elks Club of Ruskin, Florida. He was a life member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; daughters: Carole Benkelman and her husband Kevin Larke of St. Johns, Catherine and her husband Charles Brooks of Sheridan, Arkansas, Susan Benkelman and her husband Ken Fireman of Bethesda, Maryland; grandchildren Jason Tetreau, Carrie Tetreau, Andrew Larke, Keith Brooks, Steven (Amber) Brooks, Eric Brooks, Catherine Fireman, Alexandra Fireman; and great granddaughter, Faith Brooks. He is preceded in death by his brother, William Benkelman. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 26 with Virginia Leipprandt, Jim Joslin and Ken Fireman officiating. Interment will take place in Elkland Township Cemetery. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the Rawson Memorial Library, 6495 Pine St., Cass City, MI 48726. Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195

Robert married Lorraine Bessie "Smitty" Smith on 30 Sep 1950 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Lorraine (daughter of Clarence William Smith and Cora Susan Page) was born on 12 Feb 1931 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; died on 15 Jun 2012 in Caseville, Huron County, Michigan; was buried on 22 Jun 2012 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
June 17, 1938
Page 4

On Friday afternoon, Billie BENKELMAN, Tommy JACKSON, and Joanne BIGELOW, all about nine years of age, thought it would be great fun to follow the Ford Caravan and ride their bikes from Cass City to Caro. Tommy and Joanne were picked up at Ellington and taken into Caro by auto, (not because they were tired, Tommy and Joanne say). Billie paddled on to Caro, but did not refuse a ride back to Cass City later in the day.

The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 15, September 1, 1952, noted that William D. Benkelman was graduated from Michigan State College on June 10. It further reported that he his commission June 8 as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was to report to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in August. Volume 16 of the same periodical noted he was stationed in Japan. The 1962 issue reported he had moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois, where he was Vice President and General Sales Manager of Cadillac Plastics.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, December 24, 1964

B. Benkelman Promoted by Plastics Company

William D. Benkelman has been named Vice-president (Sales) of Cadillac Plastic and Chemical Company. He had been distributor sales manager since 1958. Benkelman will coordinate the company's activities in the areas of overseas sales and development of the O.E.M. (original equipment manufacturer) market. He joined Cadillas Plastic in 1956 as director of factory-sales liasion at its Detroit headquarters. In 1957, he established the company's Cincinnati branch, then in 1962, was promoted to the Illinois branch, headquartered in Chicago. Benkelman is a graduate of Michigan State University and attended the University of Utah Law Schoo. He is the author of numerous articles and papers on plastics. He and his wife, Barbara, and their three children live at 6309 Church Street.

Obituary from THE SAGINAW NEWS

William D. Benkelman traveled around the world as a businessman, but he always said that his families centennial farm in this thumb community was his favorite place on earth. Benkelman, a retired plastics executive and onetime Bloomfield Hills resident died from Parkinson's disease at his Cass City home. He was 73. He was born in Royal Oak and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in 1952. Benkelman was a captain in the U.S. Army and a veteran of the Korean War, where as a lieutenant he received a bronze star for meritorius service. His career in the plastics business began in 1958 when he joined the Cadillac Plastic and Chemical Company in Troy as a salesman assigned to generate new business for the startup company. Former colleagues describe him as a determined visionary who saw the enginering and manufacturing potential for plastics even while others argued it was nothing more than a cheap substitute for metal and glass. Benkelman became chairman of the company in 1984. When he retired in 1988, Cadillac was the worlds number one distributor of semi-finished plastic shapes. General Electric company owns it now. After retirement, Benkelman and his wife Barbara moved to Cass City to live on the farm that had remained in the family for 100 years. He renovated the old farmhouse into a comfortable home. Barbara Benkelman died in 1995. The funeral will begin at 2 pm Sunday in the Presbyterian church on Church Street in Cass City with burial at the Elkland Township Cemetery.

(Courtesy of Alvin Benkelman)

(Medical):Parkinson's Diease

William married Barbara Ell on 2 May 1952 in East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. Barbara was born on 17 May 1932 in Mineola, Nassau County, New York; died on 1 Feb 1995 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bonnie was extremely active during her High School years in Cass City, Michigan. According to her yearbook, the "1952 Perranos", she spent four years in the band (she played the clarinet) and in the honor society; was alternately treasurer, secretary, and president of her home room; was in the junior class play; and was on the Annual Staff and in the Queen's Homecoming Court her senior year. Her lively sense of humor was apparent from her statement in the class will: "I, Bonnie Benkelman, of questionable mind and body, will my ability, (which I don't have) to stay on my hall guide post all hour to Jean Holmberg, who doesn't have it either but since she has to make a good impression it might come in handy."

She went to Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She was social chairperson of the Panhellenic Council in 1952. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, specializing in Occupational Therapy. It was a good fit for her, combining her love of science and her enjoyment of doing things with her hands. Bonnie noted that Jane Stickley Benkelman, a nurse who worked both with veterans and crippled children, had suggested she pursue this career path.

Bonnie interned in Baltimore, at Shepherd Pratt Psychiatric Hospital, becoming an O.T.R. She also received an Elementary Provisional Certificate from the State of Michigan State Board of Education which would have allowed her to teach Occupational Therapy at the High School level.

Her first job after graduation was at Hines Veterens' Administrations Hospital in Chicago, in the Cardiac department. She saved her money faithfully to purchase an automobile. At that time a VW Beetle cost around $1,500. When she was within $50 of this goal, she broke her leg skiing. Most of her savings went to pay off her hospital bills, and to finance a trip to Europe with her Aunt Ilo Smith shortly before her wedding. When Bonnie resigned from the Veterens' Administration in before her marriage in 1958, she was classified as a GS-631-7 and was making $4,980 yearly.

Bonnie worked as an Occupational Therapist before her daughters were born. When her eldest daughter was 18 months old, she returned to work at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas. After the birth of younger daughters, she stopped her paid employment to become a full time mom and volunteer. She was a homeroom mother, sunday school teacher, and girl scout leader.

(Research):
In the News

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 12, 1940
Local Happenings, Page Four

The dog at the B.F. Benkelman Jr., home rejoiced Sunday night. His little mistress, Bonny, and her mother, Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, Jr., returned that day from a week's visit in Lansing and Grand Ledge.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan, Friday, October 26, 1956
Page One

Bonnie Benkelman Passes OTR Exam

"Miss Bonnie Benkelman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, 4581 West Street, Cass City, has successfully completed her national examination for registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

A graduate of Western Michigan College, Kalamazoo, one of 29 colleges in the United States offering OT programs approved by the American Medical Association, Miss Benkelman joins the ranks of 5,000 OTR's working in hospitals and schools across the nation.

Occupational therapists give treatment on the doctor's prescription in the form of supervised activity to people injured physically or mentally by accident or disease."


Cass City Chronicle
April 28, 1960
Page Six
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman enjoyed a four-day visit last week with their daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McLemore and little daughter, in Chicago.

Cass City Chronicle
August 18, 1960
Page 4

Mr. and Mrs. T.E. McLemore and little daughter Melinda of Chicago, Ill., returned home Saturday after two weeks here with Mrs. McLemore's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, July 26, 1962
Page Two
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items

Mrs. Thomas McLemore and daughter Melinda of Dallas, Texas, are spending two weeks with Mrs. McLemore's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, July 15, 1966
Page Two
Personal News from Cass City Area

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McLemore and daughters, Melinda and Melissa, from Houston, Tex. Arrived July 4 and have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman. Their youngest daughter, Leigh remained in Texas with her paternal grandmother. The McLemores expect to leave Thursday to return home.

The following article was published in "The Paris (TX) News" in the Fall of 1976.

Mrs. McLemore is Newcomer

Mrs. Tom (Bonnie) McLemore, 1065 Johnson Woods Drive, has been named as the Welcome Wagon's Newcomer of the Month.

A native of Michigan, Mrs. McLemore attended schools in Cass City and holds a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University.

She has been active in Girl Scouting, garden club work, Panhellenic activities, and a volunteer for Hope House for the Multiple-Handicapped Children.

She and her husband have three daughters, Melinda, 16; Melissa, 13, and Leigh, 11, and have lived in Paris about a month.

Bonnie married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]