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Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse

Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse

Female 1865 - 1961  (95 years)

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  • Name Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse  [1, 2
    Nickname Minnie 
    Birth 27 Sep 1865  Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Gender Female 
    Death 18 Jun 1961  Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Burial Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • An undated clipping (circa 1955) from the BAY CITY TIMES about Minnie reads:

      WOMAN, 90, PAINTS AS HOBBY

      Cass City--Although she will celebrate her 90th birthday anniversary next month, Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, of Cass City (above) is deeply engrossed in a new hobby. She has taken up painting as a pastime and finds it a happy way to keep busy. Like the famed Grandma Moses, Mrs. Benkelman waited a long time to begin painting. She started when she was 87 years old. A busy woman all of her life, Mrs. Benkelman says she finds it hard to just sit still. She balked a little over attempting her first painting but her interest quickened with her first picture and now she is at her easel each morning. She rests in the afternoon. Her hobby resulted because of a present from her daughter, Mrs. J.E. Pease of LaGrange, Ill. Mrs. Pease presented her mother with a painting set which included a canvas blocked off in numbered areas and paints numbered for each section. She delayed getting started but once the project was underway she found it enjoyable. That was two years ago. And it was also her last numbered painting. Since then she has been composing her own pictures and has turned out some 25 canvases. She won't sell a painting but she will give them away. Most have been claimed by her family and friends. She has a few hanging at home. Her painting she says is entirely for her own enjoyment. Her easel is set up on a card table in her living room and she paints while sitting down. She says she gets her ideas from photographs and magazine pictures. Using the basic idea, she then develops her own picture. She recalls that as a youngster she tried painting but did not pursue it since her folks thought it a waste of time. She also recalls that she liked to draw pictures when she was a school girl. For her paintings she likes outdoor scenes best. Mrs. Benkelman will celebrate her 90th birthday anniversary on Sept. 27. She was born on a farm near Sturgis and lived in Kansas for 10 years before coming to Cass City in 1902. Her husband's parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Adam Benkelman were among the pioneer settlers of Cass City. Her husband, a retired general store operator, died three years ago. Her two sons and three daughters are all planning to be with her for her approaching birthday celebration. They are Mrs. E.T. Ball of Pottersville, N.J.; Mrs. May Carpenter of Farwell; Mrs. Pease; and H.L. Benkelman and B.F. Benkelman, both of Cass City.

      Great granddaughter Melinda McLemore Strong has an 8 by 10 oil painting of a lakeside pasture in her home in San Antonio, Texas. (2003).

      A similar article appeared in the Cass City Chronicle, as follows:

      Cass City Chronicle
      Friday, May 7, 1954
      Volume 49, Number 2
      Page One

      Judging by the amount of beautiful paintings, afghans and other works she turns out, Mrs. Ben Benkelman, Sr., 88, accomplished more than many persons half her age.

      For example, in the last year, Mrs. Benkelman has knitted an intricately designed tablecloth, several small items, painted the picture shown above and another larger picture that is framed and hanges on the wall in her home.

      In addition, she writes regularly each week to her three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Ball, New Jersey, Mrs. Lois Pease, Illinois and Mrs. Mae Carpenter, Michigan.

      She writes and signs all her own checks and keeps continually busy on her varied projects.

      Minnie's obituary, also in the Cass City Chronicle, dated Thursday, June 22, 1961:

      Minnie Benkelman Dies at 95

      Cass City lost one of its eldest citizens June 18 with the death of Mrs. Minnie Benkelman, 95, in Stevens Nursing Home. Mrs. Benkelman had been ill for some time. She was a patient in the nursing home for several weeks.

      She was born Wilhelmina JESSE in Sturgis, Sept. 24, 1865 and married Benjamin F. BENKELMAN in St. Francis, Kansas in 1892. They came to Cass City in 1901, lived at 1454 Maple Street and remained here until their deaths.

      Mr. Benkelman ran a general store until his retirement in 1924. He died in 1952.

      Surviving are three daughters and two sons: Mrs. E.T. BALL (Ruth) of Pottersville, N.J.; Mrs. Wilmot CARPENTER (Mae) of Farwell; Mrs. J.E. PEASE (Lois) of LaGrange, Ill,; Harold and Ben of Cass City. Other survivors are four grandchildren and nine-great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Augusta BUCHOLTZ of Sturgis.

      Funeral services were held Wed. at 2 p.m. in the Douglas Funeral Home. Rev. S.R. Wurtz of Salem E.U.B. church, of which Mrs. Benkelman was a long time member, officiated and burial was in Elkland cemetery.
    Person ID I32  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 29 Dec 2020 

    Father George W. Jesse,   b. 26 Feb 1832, Strelitz, Kreis Kolmar, Posen, Prussia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 May 1903, Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 71 years) 
    Mother Maria Johanna Elisabeth Klevsaat,   b. Bef 6 Jan 1838, Rosenow, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Aug 1890, Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 52 years) 
    Marriage 24 Nov 1859  Byron, Genesee County, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Photos
    Jesse Family, UNKNOWNS, ca 1880-1900
    Jesse Family, UNKNOWNS, ca 1880-1900
    Xerox of a family photo from Jo Bossert Peck. It appears that the photo was taken at the studio of Mrs. Chappell in Sturgis, Michigan, as this was embossed on the cardboard frame. Jo indicated that on the back was written "Grandpa (Andrew?) Jesse's sister, daughter and husband." Jo is not sure which of Andrew Jesse's four sisters this refers to. It had originally been assumed that this was a photo of Andrew's parents, George Jesse and his wife, Marie Klesert. However, this does not appear to be the case. PLEASE HELP US POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE IN THIS PHOTO.
    Family ID F29  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Sr.,   b. 24 Sep 1863, Bowmansville, Town of Lancaster, Erie County, New York Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 7 Sep 1952, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years) 
    Marriage 26 Dec 1892  St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 7
    Children 
     1. Ruth Benkelman,   b. 26 Jul 1894, St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 31 May 1972, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 77 years)
     2. Florence Mae Benkelman,   b. 8 May 1896, St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Dec 1989, Stuart, Martin County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 93 years)
     3. Harold "Sime" Leroy Benkelman,   b. 27 Nov 1897, St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Apr 1981, Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 83 years)
     4. Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr.,   b. 17 Nov 1899, Jaqua, Cheyenne County, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Mar 1998, Houston, Harris County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 98 years)
     5. Lois Jane Benkelman,   b. 18 Jan 1905, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Mar 1989, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years)
    Photos
    Benkelman General Store (Ben F. Benkelman, Sr. Proprietor), Cass City, Michigan, ca 1901-1924
    Benkelman General Store (Ben F. Benkelman, Sr. Proprietor), Cass City, Michigan, ca 1901-1924
    After retiring from ranching, Ben Benkelman Sr. owned and operated a dry goods store in his hometown of Cass City for approximately twenty years. Ben Sr. is standing in the background of this photo. In the foreground is Mr. Philo S. Rice, who clerked at the Benkelman store for 19 years, and was proprietor of his own grocery store for nearly six years thereafter. He was born on Stuben, NY on 5 Dec 1863, and died in Cass City on 8 Oct 1928, leaving behind his widow, Carrie Fancher Rice and two children, Mrs. A. C. Atwell of Cass City and Roy F. Rice of Los Angeles. (Cass City Chronicle, 12 Oct 1928, page 1).
    Benkelman General Store (Ben F. Benkelman, Sr. Proprietor), Cass City, Michigan ca 1920's
    Benkelman General Store (Ben F. Benkelman, Sr. Proprietor), Cass City, Michigan ca 1920's
    The interior of Ben Benkelman's general store in Cass City, with store clerk Philo S. Rice standing on the left. The lady to the right is unknown. PLEASE EMAIL US IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY HER.
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1913 and Minnie (Jesse) Family of Cass City, Michigan
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1913 and Minnie (Jesse) Family of Cass City, Michigan
    Back, L to R: Ruth, Mae, Harold "Sime" and Ben, Jr.
    Front, L to R: Ben, Sr., Lois, Minnie
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1917 and Minnie (Jesse) Family of Cass City, Michigan
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1917 and Minnie (Jesse) Family of Cass City, Michigan
    Standing (L To R): Ruth, Mae, Harold, Ben Jr., Lois
    Seated (L to R): Ben Sr. and his wife, Minnie
    Benkelman Home (Ben and Minnie Family), Cass City, Michigan, sometime after 1901
    Benkelman Home (Ben and Minnie Family), Cass City, Michigan, sometime after 1901
    The home of Ben and Minnie Benkelman family of at 1454 Maple Street, Cass City, Michigan.
    Documents
    Jesse, Minnie 1892 Marriage to Benjamin Benkelman,Sr.
    Jesse, Minnie 1892 Marriage to Benjamin Benkelman,Sr.
    Copy of Marriage License as filed in 1892 in Cheyenne County, Kansas in 1892
    Family ID F16  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Jul 2013 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 27 Sep 1865 - Sherman Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 26 Dec 1892 - St. Francis, Cheyenne County, Kansas Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 18 Jun 1961 - Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - 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
    Jesse, Anna with her sister Wilhelmina, ca 1878
    Jesse, Anna with her sister Wilhelmina, ca 1878
    Carole Jean Benkelman writes that the back of this photo was inscribed "Mother age 13 - and Aunt Anna." It was taken at a photography studio in Sturgis, Michigan in 1878. Anna Sophia and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Jesse were the two eldest daughters of George and Maria Jesse. Both sisters later moved to the border of Kansas and Colorado after their marriages to men in the employ of the Benkelman Ranch. Anna married John "Bum" Burgwald and Minnie married Ben Benkelman.
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1892, and wife Minnie Jesse, JC Ranch, St. Francis, Kansas
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1892, and wife Minnie Jesse, JC Ranch, St. Francis, Kansas
    Ben Benkelman, Senior and Wilhelmina Jesse were married the day after Christmas in 1892, on the ranch in Kansas for which Ben was foreman. Ben and Minnie were both the children of immigrants from Germany.
    _Jesse, Minnie
    _Jesse, Minnie
    Wife of Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Sr.
    B. 1865 Michigan D. 1961 Michigan
    She was born to immigrants from the North of Germany. Her husband, whose parents were from Schwabia, teased her about her Prussian upbringing, and her children were fascinated by her long formal name, Wilhelmina Johanna Fredericka Jesse.
    Jesse Family, Children of George and Marie Jesse, ca 1890
    Jesse Family, Children of George and Marie Jesse, ca 1890
    Xerox of a photo from Jo Bossert Peck
    Back Row, l to r, Anna annd Andrew Jesse
    Bottom Row, l to r, Augusta, Minnie and Julia Jesse
    Benkelman Family Sod Hut (Ben and Minnie Family), Cheyenne County, Kansas 
ca 1902
    Benkelman Family Sod Hut (Ben and Minnie Family), Cheyenne County, Kansas ca 1902
    (L to R): Harold "Sime" on horseback, Ben Benkelman holding the hand of his son Ben Jr., Minnie Benkelman nee Jesse, and daughters Ruth and Mae. This picture was taken in Kansas shortly before the family moved to Ben's home town of Cass City, Michigan where he opened a general store. After spending twenty years as a cowboy and rancher at the Kansas/Nebraska/Colorado border, Ben was again ready for the comforts of civilization.
    Benkelman Women ca 1910
    Benkelman Women ca 1910
    Appears to have been taken at an early family reunion or other gathering, and was titled Benkelman Women, ca 1910. Lorraine "Smitty" Benkelman writes: "the lady seated in the center, on the sidewalk, just to the right of the three little kids, is "Aunt Lena", Mary Magdelena Benkelman Deverney Schwegler. On the top in the center, is Cora Belle Horne Clark Striffler with the white shirt. Behind her, just in front of the door is Minnie Benkelman."

    PLEASE HELP US IDENTIFY THE UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS.
    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)
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1920's with his children and their spouses
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1920's with his children and their spouses
    Back Row, L to R:
    Wilmot "Bill" Carpenter, Ben Benkelman, Sr., Ben Benkelman, Jr., Jim Pease, Minnie Benkelman, Eustace Ball, Harold Benkelman in the late 1920's.

    Front Row, L to R:
    Mae Benkelman Carpenter, Lois Benkelman Pease, Ruth Benkelman Ball, Isabel Fletcher Benkelman, Avis Smith Benkelman
    Benkelman Brothers with their wives, mid 1920's (Sons of Adam and Catherine Benkelman)
    Benkelman Brothers with their wives, mid 1920's (Sons of Adam and Catherine Benkelman)
    Front Row, L to R: Possibly Alice McDougall Benkelman, Mary Striffler Benkelman, Augusta Krehl Benkelman, Possibly Barbara Rommel Benkelman, Minnie Jesse Benkelman and Samuel Benkelman

    Back Row, L To R: Thought to be George, William, John, and Ben Sr.

    PLEASE HELP US VERIFY THESE ASSUMPTIONS.
    Benkelman, Minnie ca 1935, with her grandchildren
    Benkelman, Minnie ca 1935, with her grandchildren
    Minnie Jesse Benkelman with her grandchildren. She is holding the youngest, Bonnie, and Bill is to her left, Bob and Dorothy to her right, with all the grandchildren making funny faces.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Benkelman, Minnie (nee Jesse) ca 1940, with friends Minnie Doerr and Chick Schwaderer
    Benkelman, Minnie (nee Jesse) ca 1940, with friends Minnie Doerr and Chick Schwaderer
    Eugene "Chick" Schwaderer, Minnie Doerr and Minnie Benkelman of Cass City, Michigan visit in Florida. Minnie's Doerr's grandson, Ed, recalls this may have been the year the went on to visit Cuba as well
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1940's (Mrs.)
    Benkelman, Benjamin F. Sr. ca 1940's (Mrs.)
    The former Wilhelmina "Minnie" Johanna Friederika Jesse
    B. 1865 D. 1961 Michigan
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1954
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1954
    Cass City Chronicle
    Friday, May 7, 1954
    Volume 49, Number 2
    Page One
    Judging by the amount of beautiful paintings, afghans and other works she turns out, Mrs. Ben Benkelman, Sr., 88, accomplished more than many persons half her age. For example, in the last year, Mrs. Benkelman has knitted an intricately designed tablecloth, several small items, painted the picture shown above and another larger picture that is framed and hanges on the wall in her home. In addition, she writes regularly each week to her three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Ball, New Jersey, Mrs. Lois Pease, Illinois and Mrs. Mae Carpenter, Michigan. She writes and signs all her own checks and keeps continually busy on her varied projects.
    (Chronicle Photo, copy courtesy of Carole Jean Benkelman)
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1960, with her children on her 95th birthday
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1960, with her children on her 95th birthday
    L to R: Ben Jr standing behind his sisters Lois and Ruth, Minnie, Mae and Sime

    The paintings behind the group were all done by Minnie herself, who took up painting as a hobby shortly after her 87th birthday.
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1960, with her childrens' spouses on her 95th birthday
    Jesse, Minnie ca 1960, with her childrens' spouses on her 95th birthday
    Minnie Jesse Benkelman, celebrating her 95th birthday, posed with the spouses of her children

    Standing, l to r: Eustace Ball, Avis Benkelman, Bill Carpenter

    Seated: Isabel Benkelman, Minnie

    Live Wire Bible Class of the Evangelical United Brethern Church Sunday School, Cass City Michigan, ca 1917
    Live Wire Bible Class of the Evangelical United Brethern Church Sunday School, Cass City Michigan, ca 1917
    FRONT ROW, l to r, Grant McConnell, class leader; UNKNOWN Clergyman, UNKNOWN class member, William Schwegler, Sam Helwig, George Burg
    SECOND ROW, l to r, Hattie Helwig McConnell, Janet "Jennie" Gardner Buehrly, Minerva Helwig Sherman, Mary Buehrly Striffler, Mary Mark Buehrly
    THIRD ROW; l to r, Alma Striffler Schenck holding her baby Ruth, Lena Helwig Jaus, Lillian Striffler Ricker, Minnie Jesse Benkelman, Mary Schwegler Jaus, Jacob Hiller.
    Note: Alma Striffler Schenck's three year old son, Donald, was said to be asleep in the Model T Ford just to the left of the group at the time this photo was taken
    FOURTH ROW: l to r, Elsie Buehrly, Mary Striffler Helwig, Cora Helwig Klinkman, Laura McConnell Hiller, Alice Ross Schwegler, Mary McLellan Joos, Ed Helwig
    FIFTH ROW, l to r, Art Ricker, Erwin Kercher, Ed Buehrly, Harvey Klinkman, UNKNOWN Class Member, Fred Buehrly, Fred Joos
    TOP ROW, l to r, Sol Striffler, Clayton Schenck, Fred Jaus, William Ackerman, Sam Jaus

    It appears that at least 33 of the 36 adults in this Sunday School class were directly related, through either blood or marriage, to the Striffler, Benkelman and Helwig families who emigrated together from Erie County, New York to Tuscola County, Michigan beginning in the 1860's.

    PLEASE HELP US IDENTIFY THE UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS.
    Benkelman, Minnie Jesse Birthday Celebration, ca 1955
    Benkelman, Minnie Jesse Birthday Celebration, ca 1955
    Likely the celebration of her 90th birthday in 1955

    Documents
    Jesse, Anna 1887 marriage to John Burgwald
    Jesse, Minnie, witness at her older sister's wedding
    Minnie served as a witness to the wedding of her older sister, Anna, to John Burgwald. John was a cowboy at the Benkelman Ranch in Kansas, and five years later, Minnie would married another Ranch Hand, Ben Benkelman Sr.
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr.)
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr.)
    "Woman, 90, Paints as Hobby"
    Benkelman, Minnie (Jesse)
    Benkelman, Minnie (Jesse)
    Oil Painting, done after Minnie took up painting at the age of 87
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr.)
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr.)
    News article featuring her 95th birthday celebration
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr)
    Jesse, Minnie (Mrs. Ben Benkelman Sr)
    Funeral Handout
    Jesse, Wilhelmina 'Minnie' (Mrs. B. F. Benekelman, Sr)
    Jesse, Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Mrs. B. F. Benekelman, Sr)
    Certificate of death

    Headstones
    Benkelman, Benjamin Sr and Minnie (Jesse)
    Benkelman, Benjamin Sr and Minnie (Jesse)

  • Sources 
    1. [S308] 1880 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005., (1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ? Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls. This database is an index to 50 million individuals enumerated in the 1880 United States Federal Census. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, occupation, relationship to the head of household, race, sex, age at last birthday, marital status, place of birth, parents? place of birth. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1880 Federal Census.).

    2. [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. 134 (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S338] Douglas Funeral Home, Tuscola County, Michigan.

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

    5. [S452] State of Kansas, Cheyenne County, Marriage License.

    6. [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/, September 15, 1962 (Reliability: 3).

    7. [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. 134, instead shows location of marriage as Wano, Kansas (Reliability: 3).