The Ernest Behnfeldt Family

Ernest Behnfeldt was born in 1906 in Mark Township near Sherwood, Ohio, and his wife Hildegard Bostleman was born in 1907 in Adams Township near Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Their grandparents were immigrants from VisselhOfede, Germany, in 1869. Ernest's parents were John and Tina Behnfeldt and Hildgard's were Fred (F. D.) and Mary Bostleman. Sisters and brothers of Ernest are Johannes, Helen, and Caroline; sister and brothe4s of Hildegard are Henry, Fred, and Josaphine. Ernest and Hildegard both lived on farms in Defiance County. They met at a barn dance and were married on May 5, 1929.

The couple farmed for three years and then Ernest worked for the Home Oil Company for six years in Napoleon, Ohio. While they were living on Woodlawn Avenue, their first son Robert was born. They moved to Scott Street and Virgil and Carolyn were born. The last child, Larry was born after the family moved to McClure. This was in the year 1938. The Behnfeldt family moved to McClure when Ernest became the manager of the Neuhauser Hatchery branch in McClure. The hatchery was located in what is now Burling's Restaurant. A few years later the hatchery moved down the street.

Here in McClure the Behnfeldt family has remained for 37 years.

The first son Robert also lives in McClure with his wife Nancy and two children Robin and Barry. Robert is the postmaster in McClure. Virgil, the second child, works for Owens Illinois in Toledo, and he has a wife Jean and four children, Linda, John, Jill, and Lisa. Carolyn, the third child, is married to David Northup and is an airline stewardess for Eastern Airlines. Larry, the youngest of the four, is employed by Diel Milk Produce in Defiance. He has a wife Sandy and a daughter Christine.

Submitted by Hildegard Behnfeldt