Minerd.com Biography of Samuel H. and Albertine Clementine (Stimpfling) Behme of Lynch, NE and Portland, OR

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Samuel Henry Behme
(1879-1927)

Samuel Behme

Samuel Henry Behme was born on May 6, 1879 or 1880 at Tontogany, Wood County, OH, the son of Nathaniel A. and Rebecca (Minerd) Behme. He appears to have been named after his maternal grandfather, Samuel Minerd.

When Samuel was a boy, he and his parents migrated westward, settling in Iowa. After his parents separated there, in about 1898 Samuel's mother moved west to Washington State, and Samuel remained behind with his father.

In Iowa, Samuel boarded with his brother. They worked together "in the shingle mill," said a family letter. "He packs shingles. He gets 2.75 a day. His rent and wood is free."

Though not living together, Samuel's parents must have remained on somewhat good terms. In a letter to relatives in Ohio, Samuel's mother wrote: "Samie & his Father [are well]. They all live in Custer."

In 1899, his mother wrote that "Samie is in Lynch, Neb. -- was well the last I heard from him. He did intend to go back home but has not gone yet."

A rare streetscape photo of Lynch, looking west, circa 1909

However, in an interesting twist, Samuel and his father also moved to Washington State at some point before 1903, and settled in Custer.

In 1906, Samuel's mother wrote a letter from Seattle, saying:

Samie was down to see Clara & has just goen back to work. He has a felon on his finger. he says if he has good luck he will save money & let us go east some time on a visit.

Circa 1914, Samuel resided in Lynden, WA. He was mentioned in two Lynden Tribune articles during that year, when hosting a February visit from his friend C. Stoddard and then in May when going to see his mother and sister Clara at Blaine, WA.

Still a bachelor, Samuel obtained work as a shingler in June 1916 and moved from Blaine to Vancouver, British Columbia. In doing so, he registered with Vice Consul G.C. Woodward of his intention to live and work in Canada, making a home at Powell River. He gave an oath and provided an affidavit from his sister Clara testifying to his Ohio birth and status as a U.S. citizen.

Samuel dwelled in Portland, OR in 1924, at the address of 286 West Winchell, and earned income as a "door patcher." When he was age 44, in Aug. 1924, Samuel married 35-year-old widow Albertine Clementine (Stimpfling) Chandler ( ? -1970). The wedding was held in Vancouver, WA. Albertine was a native of Alsace Lorraine, and the daughter of George and Josephine (Buker) Stimpfling.

She brought three children to the marriage -- Lucille, Lorene and Lillian.

Their union only lasted for three years until cleaved apart by death.

Then in about 1926, working or living in Clackamas County, Samuel was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He and Albertine moved to Portland in June 1927 and took up residence with his brother Fred at 1655 Brandon Street. He underwent surgery, but to no avail.

Sadly, within a year of the deadly diagnosis, Samuel passed away at age 47 on Oct. 5, 1927. His funeral arrangements were provided by St. Johns Undertaking Company, and he was laid to rest in Rose City Cemetery.

Later, Albertine married Edward Sanders ( ? - ? ). They lived at 5325 Southeast 65th Street in Portland. She passed away on Nov. 19, 1970, and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Park. At the time, she had four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.