638 Madison St. Clarksville, TN
Circa 1877. 2-story Greek Revival home
In 1877, Cassiano Wenzler owned this home. Wenzer was a beer and wine merchant. He ran a saloon on Madison St. at the end of Depot St. In 1886, a second Wenzler owned saloon was opened at the Public Square. The Wenzler family purchased additional real estate and eventually owned the entire block on Madison from Seventh St. to Greenwood Ave.
In 1881, the Wenzlers sold their home and other buildings to A.M. Fink; he held it until 1908 when Fink sold the property to Leopold Bloch (1823-1889). Bloch came to the United States in 1852, moved to Stewart Co., TN, and then moved to Montgomery Co. in 1863. He opened a general merchantile store with his brother Simon. Leopold served as a city council member for years. Soon afterward, Bloch converted the Wenzler-Darnell House to apartments, and it became known as the Bloch Apartments. Leopold and his brother, Simon Bloch, started a dry goods store in 1863 after having come from South Prussia. In 1887, the Bloch dry goods business was on Franklin St.
Classes of the Dinwiddie University Preparatory School were held here with Prof. J. Morris Gordon. His daughter, Caroline Gordon, was a noted author of national prominence and married Allen Tate, and they resided at Benfolly. The Bloch family held the property until 1923 when Samuel “Sam” Goldfine purchased it. Goldfine owned Economy Shoe Store at 129 Franklin St.
Twelve years later, 1935, (Mary) Anita Whitefield Darnell (1908-1982) and Elliott Sinclair Darnell (1905-1967) were the next owners. They resided there for 46 years. It was sold in 1988. The structure has been converted to apartments by 2023. See Benfolly
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