Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Jacob and Elizabeth Benke, Jr.,  Joes
 

In the Mennonite cemetery, Hamilton County Nebraska is a Jakob Benke, Mar 5, 1833-Feb 2, 1890 FAG says he immigrated in 1879

Jakob BENKE 
Born  22 Mar 1858  Tiegenhof, Ekaterinoslav Colony, South Russia  Baptism  13 Sep 1876 
He migrated to the United States from the Don Region of South Russia. The family moved to Colorado in 1893. One record says he was married on 8 Dec 1883. He isn't listed on the Switzerland ship passenger list, but must have immigrated then as the rest of his family is listed on the passenger list. He had a total of 10 children with Elisabeth Martens. 4 died in childhood. 
Immigration  24 Jun 1879  Switzerland; Philadelphia
Died  30 Sep 1941    Reedley Cemetery, Reedley, Fresno, California

 

Elizabeth MARTENS 
Born  16 Jul 1861  Rudnerweide, Molotschna Colony, South Russia 
Immigration  3 Sep 1874  Teutonia; New York
Baptism  30 Oct 1881 
History  Her age is given as 9 on the ship passenger list in 1874, which is incorrect. Her Gregorian calendar birthday was 28 July. 
Died  Abt 1919    - From the Voth Book it appears that Elizabeth's father was         Absalom Martins       E½ SE¼ E½ NW¼       31-10-5   in York County Nebraska, with children John, Franz, Mrs. B. Regier, Mrs. I. Regier, Mrs. J. Benke, Eva

Jacob cash-claimed a quarter in 34, 4S 47W in 1891.

Family portrait of Jacob N and Elizabeth Benke when children were young. Children are left to right Tina, Agnes, Marie (baby) and Elizabeth.

The boy in back almost has to be Jacob.  Thanks to Pegannt for posting the great photo.

One tree says that none of the children were born in Colorado - Jacob John 1885-1957, Aganetha 1886-1964 married Abraham A. Toews, Katharina 1890-1968 Tina married Isaac Kroeker (1899-1966), Elizabeth 1892-1973 married John Sawatzky, Marie B. 1897-1990 married Abraham L. Dalke, and Anna C. 1899-1970 married Cornelius J. "Chris" Voth.

A number of families from the Henderson, Nebraska, community broke away from relatives and friends, coming to Oklahoma Territory to establish homes not too far away from Enid and North Enid, already growing trade centers at that time. During the latter half of 1894, and maybe a few even before then, such families as those of Bernhard M. Regier , Heinrich H. Poetker, Isaac Regier , Klaas Penner, Heinrich Nickel, Jacob Benke, Absalom Martens, Gerhard Regier, Dr. Gerhard Gaede, and others, made the move and settled where they could find land available. Others made homes near Waukomis, some near Lahoma, and a few at Hunter, all in Garfield County. All had to go through trying times with limited means financially and with meager crops. They endured severe trials and adversities such as are associated with pioneer life. Modes of housing consisted of dugouts, sod houses, homes of mixed boards and frame construction

In the Mennonite cemetery near Enid, Oklahoma is a stone "Elizabeth Benke - July 16, 1861 - January 21, 1919" 81810668.  In the same cemetery "David F. and Daniel F. - sons of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Benke - Born & Died March 31, 1922"

Jacob Benke, Father, in middle. Left to right: Marie (married Abraham Dalke), Elizabeth (Married John Sawatzky), Anna C (married Cornelius Voth), Jacob Benke (son), Tena (married Isaac Kroeker), Agnes (married Toews) 

Thanks to Pegannt for posting the photo.

In the Reedley Cemetery, Fresno County, California is a stone "Jacob Benke - 1858-1941" 68297146

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ENID, Okla. - Agnes Karber, 91, died Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Treat officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in Balko Mennonite Cemetery, with the Rev. James Epp officiating.

Mrs. Karber was born Nov. 4, 1915, in Enid to John B. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Benke Sawatzky. She married Reuben Karber on May 11, 1941, in Enid.

Survivors include a son, Lional Karber of San Angelo, Texas; a sister, Rose Voth of Enid; and three grandchildren,

The family suggests memorials be made to the Balko Mennonite Cemetery Fund in care of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home, 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703

Amarillo Globe-News, May 5, 2007

 

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