The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-02-11
One of the Pioneer Merchants of
Mankato Died Sunday
Morning
Aged Shoe Maker and Dealer
Had Long Been Resident of
* This City
From MONDAYS DaiIy.

From MONDAYS Eauv.
Benedict Bangerter, ST., 4O5 North
Front street, one of Mankato's old
est inhabitants, we'll known through
out this part of the state, veteran
of the Indian fight Of 1862, died Sun
day morning at half past ten o'clock.
Mr.. Bangerter was to be eighty-two
years old on May next. He had
been i'll for some weeks with general
been i'll for some weeks, but the i'm
mediate cause of his death was acute
Bright's disease, complicated with
uremia.
He was born at Berne. Switzerland,
May 5, 1894. At the age of twenty
he came to America, locating at Jo-
liet, Ill, after residing there for two
years, he came to Minnesota in 1856,
making his, home in Mankato. Two
years later he moved to New Ulm.
Here il 1858 he was married to Miss
Mia Sahli. daughter of Nicholas
S"h''. who was one of the New Ulm
defenders in 1862. She survives her
husband.
The young couple LOCATED On farm
not far from New Ulm. 1t was here
that Mr. Bangerter first heard of the
coming OF bands of hostile Indians. He
was slow to take the alarm. He felt
that he and the Indians had always
been friendly, and at first he had
no intention of fleeing from the reds,
on hearing CT their approach. But as
the reports Of bloody deeds by the
Indians became more and more fire.
Quent, and fleeing country folk passed
his farm, making their way with OK
on ard wagons to New Ulm, and told
Of this and that white family being
butchered by the attacking savages,
he became seriously concerned for
the safety Of his little family He
hastily loaded hay rack and wag-
on box with his household effects,
harneSsed up his two oxen. ard with
his wife and two small children joined
the many other farmers who were
seeking refuge in flight to New Ulm.
These two children are still living
here in Mankato, being Ben Bangor
ter. Jr. and Miss Anna Bangerter.
Assisted in Defense of New Ulm.
The mother and children took ref
u9e with the other women and chill
dren at New Ulm, and Mr.. Bangor
ter assisted in the defense of the set
Element After the danger and fight
ing were over, he decided not to go
hack to his farm. as his oxen were
killed and he lacked the funds to
make a fresh start. Instead of that
he Joined the many other settlers,
who were setting out with their fam
lilies and oX-teams on their way to
Mankato. Here he witnessed the
hanging of the thirty eight Sioux In
dams that same year.
Fortunately he had learned the
trade of shoe maker and this calling
he followed in Mankato during the
remainder of his long and strenuous
life. He has been a shoe maker, re-
pairer and merchant in this city
steadily for many years.
Mr. Bangerter was a rnembar and
faithful attendant at the German
Evangelical church.
He is survived bv two sons and
eight daughters: Benedict Bangor
ter. Jr, former register of deeds; F.
William Bangerter. the local hard
ware merchant; Misses Anna, Emma
and Minnie Bangerter Mrs. A. F.
Schmidt, Mrs T. C. Nicholson and
Mrs. G. r. Zimmerman. all of Man
KaIO.- MIS-. + III. LllIuell III "dSSCSt,
and Mrs. T. Y. Jones of Fargo.
There are nine grandchildren. four
being children CT Ben Bangerter. Jr.,
two Of Mrs. p G. Iindell. and three
of Mrs A. F. Schmidt. Ono of the
grandchildren is married. this being
Mrs. Herbert Hodson of Judson, for
nrerl~ Miss Margaret Ba1gerter. and
she has two children. thus making
Benedict Bangerter, ST., a great
grandfather.
1t is TIE request Of tho family that
ut TIE funeral, which takes place
TUESDAY afternoon, no flowers be sent.
Strictly private funeral services
will trke place TUESDAY afternoon at
the family dwelling. 405 North Front
street A service will also be held at
two o'clock the same afternoon at
the German Evangelical church, of
which Mr.. Bangerter was member
for many years. The services will
he in the charge of Rev. ]. H. Man
they of Blue Earth. an old friend of
the family. He will be assisted by
Rev H. PlantikOW Of this city.