The Family of Robert Behnfeldt

Robert Behnfeldt has lived in McClure for 37 years. Robert was born in Napoleon, Ohio, on April 21, 1932. He lived in Napoleon until 1938 where Ernest worked for the Home Oil Company. The family moved to McClure, Ohio, that year to a house at that time called the Garster House, at the corner of Route 65 and Depot St. Ernest came to McClure to manage the hatchery. That fall Robert started his first year of school at the Damascus Twp. School in McClure, Ohio. The next year, about 1939, they moved to the house west of McClure on Route 6 at the corporation line. The hatchery moved to a building at corner of East Street and Summit Street which has since been torn down. The hatchery moved again to the corner of East and Cross Streets with the K. P. hall on the second story. At this time Robert was old enough to help in the hatchery. Virgil Shepard worked at the hatchery and his son Charles and Robert would tray eggs, make boxes, and "take off" chicks. The hatchery moved again to the corner of Route 6 and 65. This building was known then as the Smith Garage.

After graduation from the McClure High School in 1956, Robert became employed at Neuhauser Hatchery until August of 1952 when he entered the Army for two years and was discharged in August, 1954. In May of the same year, Robert met his wife Nancy J. Walden at Lake Mirror near Hapeville, Georgia. She is the daughter of Emery and Emily Walden then of East Point, Georgia. Nancy's father was born and raised near Rome, Georgia and her mother was born and raised in Alabama. Nancy was born in Atlanta and moved to Fairhope, Alabama, during the war where her dad worked in the ship yards. After the war they moved to East Point, Georgia, where Nancy graduated from high school. On Oct. 16, 1954, Robert and Nancy were married in the chapel at the First Methodist Church, East Point. After a short honeymoon in Daytona Beach, Florida, they set up residence on Route 6 in McClure on a block known as the Perry House. Robert was again employed by the hatchery.

In 1955 they bought the Robert Good house on Route 65 south of McClure where the Frazer Sawmill once stood. On July 27, 1957, a daughter was born who is Robin Kay. On Easter Sunday, April, 1961, a son was born who is Barry Walden.

In the spring of 1963, Robert bought a parcel of land from Ernest Behnfeldt on County Road N and built a cage layer house for 6,720 layers. In 1967 Meuhauser's was sold to International Milling Inc. and they closed many branches. Robert went to work as a carpenter with Woodrow Light for nine months. In April of 1968 Irene Culbertson retired as postmaster and the same month Robert was appointed acting postmaster. Robert put together the things learned from Woody and in 1969 he completely remodeled their home. On May 21, 1971, he was commissioned as Postmaster of McClure, Ohio. Robin and Barry attended what is called now the Napoleon School District with the jr. and sr. high schools in Napoleon. Barry is active in music, choir, and plays the trombone in the band. Robin has been in the musicals, cheerleader, and in March of 1975 went to Rome. On May 18, 1975, Barry was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, McClure. On June 1, 1975, Robin graduated from Napoleon High School. Barry will attend high school next year and Robin will go to Bowling Green State University.

Submitted by Robert Behnfeldt