John Adam Benkelman

  General Notes:

The 1870 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan (page 61) records John Banklemann living in the home of his parents Adam (45) and Catherine (47), both from Wurtenberg. All of John's siblings are recorded as born in New York:George (19), Louisa (17), Samuel (13), Mary (11), William (9), and Benjamin (7). The youngest brother, Benjamin, is recorded as born in 1863 in New York so the family came to Michigan later, probably after the war.

The 1880 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan (ED# 400, page 95B) records John Benkleman (24 - NY) with his first wife Rosa (22) . They have no children at this time. John's parents, Adam (55) and Catherine (59) are living next door and are listed as from Wurtenburg as is his wife, Rosa.

The 1900 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan, ED#111, page 117B, dated June 6, 1900 records John Benkleman (April 1856 - NY/Germany/Germany) with his second wife Augusta (March 1870 - Iowa/Germany/Germany) and their family Glen (Jan 1890 - Michigan), Dorus (Dec 1892 - Michigan), Alvin (May 1895 - Michigan), Lisla (May 1899 - Michigan). John and Augusta have been married for 10 years and he appears to be employed as a dealer of Agricultural implements.

The 1910 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan records John Benkleman (55 - NY/Germany/Germany) with his second wife Augusta (40 - Iowa/Germany/Germany) and their family Glen F. (19 - Michigan), Dorus W. (17 - Michigan), Alvin C. (15 - Michigan), Marie L. (10 - Michigan), Ida (7 - Michigan), and John D. (3 - Michigan). John is the census taker for this enumeration district (ED#112, page 131A). John and Augusta have been married for 20 years and he is employed as a farmer. John and Augusta have had 6 children all of who are still living.

The 1920 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan (ED# 178, page 6A) records John Benkleman (63 - NY/Germany/Germany) with his wife Augusta (49 - Iowa/Germany/Germany) and their sons, Dorus (27) and John (12).

The 1930 Federal Census for Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan (ED# 11, page 186B) records John Benkleman with his wife Augusta and their son Dorus.


http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/ccc_1952%20%28e%29/issues/08-15-1952_1.pdf
Cass City Chronicle - Friday, August 15, 1952
Obituary for John Adam Benkelman
John Benkelman, 96, Dies In Hospital Friday Afternoon
John Adam Benkelman, 96, wellknown Cass City businessman and civic leader, died late Friday afternoon, Aug. 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 supervisor for Elkland Township. His varied business career also included farming and 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 nation who could remember the news of Abraham Lincoln's death and the funeral that followed.
He was born in Bowmansville, N, Y., 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 in the area until Mrs. Benkelman died, in 1935.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p. m., the Rev. S. R. Wurtz of the Evangelical United Brethren Church officiating.
Surviving are: One daughter, Mrs. Marie Brown of Pigeon; four sons, Glenn of Lakewood, Ohio; Dorus of Cass City, Alvin of Alexandria, Va., and John of Detroit; six grandchildren; one greatgrandchild, and, one brother, Ben Benkelman of Cass City. One daughter, three brothers and one sister died before him.
Burial was in the family plot in Elkland Cemetery.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Farmer.

John married Rosina "Rosa" Wahl circa 1879. (Rosina "Rosa" Wahl was born on 5 Nov 1857 in Börtlingen, Donaukreis, Württemberg, Germany and died after 1880 in Elkland Township, Cass City, Tuscola Co., Michigan.)

John next married Augusta Catherine Friedricka Krehl, daughter of Friedrich Krehl and Philipine Blaufuss, about 1889 in Cass City, Tuscola Co., Michigan. (Augusta Catherine Friedricka Krehl was born on 6 Mar 1870 in Franklin Center, Lee Co., Iowa, died on 8 Feb 1934 in Elkland Township, Tuscola Co., Michigan and was buried in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola Co., Michigan.)