Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-19
JOHN 7ANzt4AF, ONE or COURT
HOUSE BUILDERS, PASSES
AWAY. i.
HAD MADE HOME HERE
FOR EirTY-THREE YEARS
Other Monuments Of Handiwerk Are
y. High School Building and Methodist
chureh-ca 70 America in 1854
with Capital Of $40 Served Two
Terms AZ Member Of City Council.

John Banzhaf, pioneer contractor OF
this city, and former member Of the
city council, died at his home. 312 East
State street, at O'Clock Thursday
night, following an illness Of six weeks,
due to grip, complicated with heart
and kidney ailments and general in
firmities due to age. Mr.. Banzhaf was
so years old last summer.
Mr.. Banzhaf was one Of the early
contractors of Marshalltown, and
among the monuments to his handi-
work are the Marshall county court
house, built in 1884 by Banzhaf &
Reimer and d. w. Townsend; the
Marshalltown high school, built In 1898
by Banzhaf & Reimer, and the Meth
odist Episcopal church, which Banz-.
hat & Reimer built in 1896.
Native Of Germany.
A native Of Gerstetten, Wurtem-
berg, Germany. Mr.. Banzhaf was born
June II. 1898, a son Of Jacob and Eva
Junginger Banzhaf. AS boy young
Banzhaf was attracted to the new
world, and emigrated to this country,
landing after voyage of forty-six
days In New York harbor on his 18th
anniversary, June II 1854. His worldly
capital was represented by the sum of
$40, healthy body, and a willingness
to work. He set out at once for Pitts
burgh, where he found employment III
the coal mines. and later on farm.
To This City in 1868.
Recognizing that the newer western
country offered better opportunities
for a young man, Banzhat came to
Iowa in 1862 and settled in Floyd
county, remaining there a year. On
Aug. 26. 1863, in Chicago, Mr. Banzhaf
was united In marriage with Miss
Anna Magdalena Aigley, of Lena, ILL.,,
and on Sept. I. 1868. came to this city.
Having learned the trade Of a stone
and brick mason, Mr.. Banzhaf entered
into the building business. and one of
the first dwellings he constructed was
one for himself at the corner Of Fourth
avenue and State street which, when
completed, he and his wife occupied.
This has ever since been the Banzhaf
home.
Mr.. Banxhaf was in the contracting
business himself for many years, but
in 1883 formed co-partnership with
young contractor Of the city, John f.
Atkinson, and Banzhaf & Atkinson be-
gan work on larger scale. This part
ership existed until 1891. when C. f.
Reimer and Mr.. Banzhaf Joined inter-
ests and were in business together UNI
til the Methodist church job was COM
pleted. MI. Reimer has been retired
since 1896. He had made and saved q
small fortune. and at the time Of his
death was very well-to-do.
ssrvsd on City Council.
AS member Of the city council Mr..
Banzhaf served two terms, having been
elected In March. 1891, from the First
ward. to succeed H. ". Speers. This
was during the administration of
Henry Arson as mayor Mr.. Banzhaf
was reelected in the spring Of 1893,
and served during DR.. w. B. Kibbey's
term as mayor. He was succeeded on
the council by c. J. Scheeler.
Mr.. Banzhaf has no near living rela-
tives in this country save two nephews
and q niece-Gustav and Michael
Banzhaf, and Miss Pauline Banzhaf,
of this city. The latter has been keep
ing house for her uncle. A sister, Mrs.
Louise Iooss, lives in Germany. Mrs.
Banzhaf died in this city Feb. 20, 1902.
Mr.. Banzhaf was charter member
Of Goethe Lodge, No. I'll. !. o. o. F.
which was organized in 1871, and is q
past noble grand Of the lodge. He was
also member Of the German Evan
gelical church.
Funeral Sunday Afternoon.
Funeral services for Mr.. Banzhaf
will be held from the residence at 2
o'clock Sunday afternoon in charge Of
Rev. Karl Rest, Burial will be in the
family lot in Riverside.