Theodore Bengel’s biography, Westphalia, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY Page 177-178 THEODORE BENGEL Theodore Bengel, whose attention is devoted to farming along modern progressive lines of agriculture, makes his home on section 3, Westphalia Township. He was born in this township and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Ackerman) Bengel, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the United States in 1848 after their marriage, which had been celebrated in the fatherland. Having spent four years in Flint, Michigan, they came to Clinton County in 1852, locating on section 3, Westphalia Township. Mr. Bengel, who was a miller by trade, was employed for eighteen years in R. B. Smith's mill at Portland, but the family remained upon the farm on section 3, where he owned forty acres of land. At the time he made the purchase this was one of the best-improved farms in the township. He afterward built thereon a new residence and good barn and as his financial resources made possible the further purchase of land he added to his property until at the time of his death he owned one hundred and eighty acres. He always kept the farm up to a high standard of improvement and development and although he devoted his attention to the milling business during his active business career his last years were spent upon the homestead property, where he died in 1896, when about eighty years of age, his birth having occurred in 1816. His wife died in 1888, when sixty-eight years of age. In their family were nine children, of whom the following are living; Katie, now the wife of Joseph Hengesbach, of Westphalia township; Charles, of Beal City, Michigan; Carrie, the wife of Jacob Martin, of Dallas township; and Theodore of this review; those deceased are Robert, Thomas and three who died in infancy. Theodore Bengel acquired his education in the parochial and common district schools. He has resided upon the old home farm continuously since 1896, when he purchased the property and is regarded as one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of the community. In all of his work he is practical as well as progressive and his fields give every indication of careful supervision and yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor which he annually bestows upon them. In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Theodore Bengel and Miss Mary Buechel, a daughter of Bernard Buechel, of Westphalia. She died in 1891, when only twenty years of age, leaving a son, Bernard. In 1898 Mr. Bengel was again married, his second union being with Miss Maggie Rademacher, a daughter of John Rademacher and they have four children, Carrie, Anna, Theresa and Joseph. In politics Mr. Bengel is a democrat and has served as postmaster and school director. He has also been supervisor for six terms, from 1898 until 1903 inclusive, and during the last term was chairman of the board. He does everything in his power to forward the best interests of the county and is a co-operant factor in many plans for the general good. He belongs to St. Mary's German Catholic Church to the Catholic Men's Benevolent Association and to the Arbeiter Verein. He is a progressive citizen, successful in the conduct of his individual affairs and regarded as one of the leading and representative men of his community. dz