GUSTAV ERNEST WENZEL

IRA HERMAN AND VERA MARGARET TESTER WENZEL

In 1916, Gustav Ernest Wenzel owned and operated 36 acres in Section 21 on Meridian Road between Roosevelt and Lakefield Roads in Lakefield Township; his neighbor was Frank Glinke. By 1920, Gustav purchased Frank Glinke's 34 acres on the corner of Meridian and Lakefield Roads; making Gustav an owner of 70 acres in Section 21 of Lakefield Township. In 1916, Gustav Wenzel and his family lived on a 40 acre plot of land in Section 2 of James Township. This property was on the SE corner of James Township but across the road from Thomas Township and Swan Creek Township. Gustav's property bordered all three townships.

Gustav was born on March 12, 1860 in Germany; his parents were Christoph and Mary Dey Wenzel. Gustav married Augusta Wegner. They had eleven children. In 1916, Gustav's nephew, George Wenzel, owned 200 acres in Lakefield Township on Fenmore Road between Roosevelt and Lakefield Roads.

Gustav Wenzel's son, Ira Herman Wenzel, was born on January 11, 1896 in Swan Creek/James Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Ira was married to Vera Margaret Tester. Vera was born on February 14, 1910 in Lakefield Township; her parents were Charles and Margaret Evoy Tester. Ira served his country in WWI in France and worked for the Michigan Central Railroad at the Paines Station in Saginaw County.

Ira and Vera had the following children: Paul, Wilma, Dawn, Virgil and Doug Wenzel.

Ira, Vera and their family eventually owned Gustav Wenzel's 70 acre farm in Section 21 located on the corner of Meridian and Lakefield Roads in Lakefield Township.

Ira died on February 15, 1993 in Saginaw, Michigan and Vera died on February 9, 1997 in Bay City, Michigan. Ira and Vera are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 Federal Census; 1916, 1920 and 1955 Lakefield Township Plat Maps and 1916 James Townshhip Plat Map; Ira's WWI and WWII draft registration; Find-A-Grave; Gustav Wenzel death record; Ira and Vera Wenzel's obituaries from Della Miller McKay's obituary collection; Sherry Wielinski.