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Louisa Benkelman

Louisa Benkelman

Female 1853 - 1924  (71 years)

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  • Name Louisa Benkelman  [1, 2, 3
    Birth 9 Apr 1853  Bowmansville, Town of Lancaster, Erie County, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Gender Female 
    Death 11 Sep 1924  Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Burial 13 Sep 1924  Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    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
    Person ID I842  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 17 Aug 2014 

    Father Johann Adam Benkelman,   b. 13 Feb 1825, Waldhausen Parish, Welzheim, Jagstkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Dec 1897, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years) 
    Mother Anna Catharina Schaufele,   b. 23 Aug 1823, B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 Dec 1906, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 83 years) 
    Marriage 24 Feb 1851  B?rtlingen, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    • Catharina and Adam were married in B?rtlingen.

      On May 16, 2002, Ingolf Vogel noted that "The Kingdom of W?rttemberg was made up of four Kreises - the Neckarkreis, the Schwarzwaldkreis, the Jagstkreis and the Donaukreis. These Kreises were much larger than today's Kreises. Each of them was divided into so-called Ober?mter which are more similar in size to today's Kreises. The Oberamt for B?rtlingen was Kirchheim.. Incidently the Oberamt Kirchheim was the only Oberamt of the Donaukreis west of the Schw?bische Alb (a mountain range). B?rtlingen (today Kreis G?ppingen) has only 745 people listed in it's telephone directory, so it probably doesn't have more than 2000-3000 inhabitants.

      Adam and Catharina were married in February, 1851, and in June, 1851 they were formally released from the Kingdom of W?rttemberg and would be free to emigrate.
    Documents
    B?rtlingen, W?rttemberg Founded 1202
    B?rtlingen, W?rttemberg Founded 1202
    B?rtlingen is a small German village founded in 1202. It is in southwest of Germany in the Schwabish Alps, a few miles outside of G?ppingen. The church on the bottom left of the card is the Evangelische Johanneskirche, the same church in which Catherine and Adam Benkelmann were married before departing for America.
    B?rtlingen, W?rttemberg, Evangelische Johanneskirche, Summer 2006
    B?rtlingen, W?rttemberg, Evangelische Johanneskirche, Summer 2006
    Evangelische Johanneskirche in 2006. This is the same church in which Adam Benkelman and Catherine Schaufele were married in in 1851.
    Family ID F28  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Andreas "Andrew" Schwegler,   b. 9 Jan 1849, Breech, B?rtlingen Parish, G?ppingen, Donaukreis, W?rttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Dec 1899, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 50 years) 
    Marriage 12 Apr 1874  Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 6
    Children 
     1. Samuel Schwegler,   b. 26 Apr 1875, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Feb 1886, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 10 years)
     2. Laura Schwegler,   b. 30 May 1878, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Dec 1961, Puslinch, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 83 years)
     3. William John Schwegler,   b. 29 Aug 1879, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Jan 1950, Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years)
     4. Mary Schwegler,   b. 29 Sep 1881, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Nov 1933, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 52 years)
     5. Benjamin Adam Schwegler,   b. 15 Feb 1886, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 May 1961, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years)
     6. Catherine "Kate" Schwegler,   b. 8 Jun 1893, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Apr 1962, Marlette, Sanilac County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 68 years)
    Headstones
    Schwegler, Andrew and Louisia (Benkelman), and son Andrew Schwegler
    Schwegler, Andrew and Louisia (Benkelman), and son Andrew Schwegler
    Andrew and Louisa's son, Samuel, predeceased them at age 11; his parents later sharing his marker
    Family ID F615  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Jul 2013 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 9 Apr 1853 - Bowmansville, Town of Lancaster, Erie County, New York Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 12 Apr 1874 - Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 11 Sep 1924 - Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 13 Sep 1924 - Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Benkelman, Louisa ca 1872-1882
    Benkelman, Louisa ca 1872-1882
    Wife of Andrew Schwegler
    This tintype may have been taken before, or around the time of, her marriage to Andrew in 1874
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catharina (Schaufele) ca 1878, Family Portrait
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catharina (Schaufele) ca 1878, Family Portrait
    TOP ROW: Identified by Marjory Schwegler Battel, granddaughter of Lousia, to be l to r, standing, Sam (age 19), Ben Sr. (age 15), John (age 22), and George (age 27) BOTTOM ROW: from left to right, seated, Will (age 17), Louisa (age 25), Catharine (55) and Adam (53).
    This is likely correct, however several descendants of Ben Sr instead believe he is seated next to his sister, Louisa, and elder brother Will is standing, second on the left.
    It was probably taken near the families farm in Tuscola County, Michigan.
    Benkelman, Louisa
    Benkelman, Louisa
    Wife of Andrew Schwegler
    B. 1853 New York D. 1924 Michigan
    Schwegler, Andrew ca 1883 and Family
    Schwegler, Andrew ca 1883 and Family
    Andrew Schwegler and wife Louisa Benkelman, with children William (b. 1879), Laura (b. 1878), Sam (b. 1875) and Mary (b. 1881), Cass City, Michigan. Marjory Schwegler Battel verified both the identity and order the children were standing in.
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catharina (Schaufele) Children, after 1910
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catharina (Schaufele) Children, after 1910
    Top Row, L to R: Louisa Schwegler, John Benkelman, George Benkelman of Denver
    Bottom Row, L to R: Will Benkelman, Ben Benkelman Sr., Sam Benkelman

    Marjory Schwegler Battel indicated that she thought we had the order correct, with the possible exception of Ben Sr and John. However, descendants of both men are sure they are labeled correctly as is.
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catherine (Schaufele) Descendants ca 1912 Family Reunion
    Benkelman, Adam and Anna Catherine (Schaufele) Descendants ca 1912 Family Reunion
    Back, Standing, l to r: Mae Benkelman, Kate Schwegler, John Benkelman Sr., Ester Ackerman Benkelman, Minnie Jesse Benkelman, Joe Benkelman, Augusta Krehl Benkelman, Dorus Benkelman, Will Schwegler, Ward Benkelman, Ben Schwegler, Sam Benkelman

    Middle Row, kneeling, l to r: Alvin Benkelman, Harold Benkelman, Ruth Benkelman, Marie Benkelman (standing), Lena Benkelman Schwegler, Barbara Rommel Benkelman, Louisa Benkelman Schwegler

    Bottom Row, seated, l to r: Bertha Benkelman, Glen Benkelman, Ida Benkelman, Lottie Benkelman, Ben Benkelman Sr. behind his nephew John Donald Benkelman, Lois Benkelman, Ben Benkelman Jr., Alice Ross Schwegler with her baby Edward William Schwegler, and ,facing left, Mary Striffler Benkelman (Mrs. Sam)

    (Legend Courtesy of Bonnie-Margaret Benkelman Jacobs)
    Schwegler, Louisa (Benkelman) with granddaughters
    Schwegler, Louisa (Benkelman) with granddaughters
    Louisa with granddaughters Mildred and Marjorie
    Gregor and Schwegler Gathering, ca 1920's
    Gregor and Schwegler Gathering, ca 1920's
    This snapshot was labeled by Lena Mark Schwegler as "Schwegler Folks at Laura Gregor's Farm near Puslinch, Ontario."
    Maggie Bethel had the following comments about this snapshot: "Woman on the right - Louisa Benkelman Schwegler, 5th woman - Alice Ross Schwegler, 6th woman from right - Kate Schwegler Klinkman. I'm thinking a couple of the men are Will and Ben Schwegler -- either the two sitting in front or the man standing between them, but the shadows from the hats are such that I can't tell who is who. Will might be holding one of his sons? I don't see Lena in the picture and since Alice is there, it is a safe bet Will has the boy. The pose of the first man reminds of Fred Gregor -- but I suppose that is too much to assume."

    PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU CAN HELP US POSITIVELY IDENTIFY ANY MORE INDIVIDUALS IN THIS PHOTO

  • Sources 
    1. [S469] Williams, Dorothy Ball--Family Researcher (dotwfl@comcast.net) 3331 Southwest Villa Place, Palm City, FL 34990 ; based in part on BonnieMargaret Benkelman Jacob's unpublished typescript, THE FAMILY BENKELMAN.

    2. [S653] Cass City Chronicle, P.O. Box 115, Cass City, Michigan 48726, Published continously since 1899, archived from 1899 through 2005 at http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/, Friday, September 19, 1924 (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S1610] Jacobs, BonnieMargaret McDonald "The Family Benkelman" Unpublished Manuscript, 276 pages, October 1981 Version, (Copy owned by Barney Benkelman, Helena, Montana; which he xeroxed and sent to Melinda McLemore Strong in San Antonio, Texas), p. 133 (Reliability: 3).

    4. [S492] Peck, Edward Arthur THE TEN BENKELMANS WHO EMIGRATED TO AMERICA Ca. 1850s AND CERTAIN OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, 1982.

    5. [S1610] Jacobs, BonnieMargaret McDonald "The Family Benkelman" Unpublished Manuscript, 276 pages, October 1981 Version, (Copy owned by Barney Benkelman, Helena, Montana; which he xeroxed and sent to Melinda McLemore Strong in San Antonio, Texas), p. 95, 128 (Reliability: 3).

    6. [S577] Dibean, Jack & Marianne "Michigan Marriage Index" http://www.mifamilyhistory.org/dibeanindex/.