The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1919-02-28
PIONEER MERCHANT
DIES SATURDAY,.

AZ. 5SE,st5s UtIO5 UNlOllUill
n. Herman c.: Blenkner, one Of the
very first settlers and business men
Of Bowbells, died at his home here
last Saturday, after long illness:
The direct cause Of HIS death was
stroke OF paralysis on Jan. 80, at
ter which he grew weak fast until
death put an end to his suffering.
The deceased had been sufferer
! from locomoter ataxia for 22 years
and In spite of everything that
could be done for him in the way Of
care and medicine he continued to-
slowly grow worse until he receiv-
ed the stroke of paralysis.
The deceased was born at Noun
helm. Germany, on July %, 1855,
which made him 63 years OF age,
He received q good education in his
native land, and when ~ years old
3immigrated to the United States
and landed at New York. A few.
months after landing he went to st..
Louis, Mo-, and for one year was
employed as instructor OF German
and Latin at the st. Johns College
In 1879 he came to ST.. Paul, MINI. J,
and was there employed as an ac-
countant for about year, after
which he went to Barnesville, Mimi,
in 1880. Barnesville at that time.
was frontier town on the REQ.
River Valley For number OF
years Mr.. Blenkner was employed.
here as clerk In general store,
and 1t was in this city that he was
married In the year 1881 to Miss
4 Margaret Mallinger OF Barnesville.
In 1883 deceased moved with his
family to Oakes, N D., and was!
there engaged in the grain business
for eight years, after which he
moved to Minneapolis to engage in
wholesale fruit and commission
business. From minneapolis he
came to Bowbells In 1898, arriving
here on March % of that year, and
built the first building on the town.
site OF .Bowbe1ls, Immediately open-
Ing q general store, which business
he conducted until the time of his
death. When he came to Bowbells
he was In fairly good health and
was well able to look after his busi-
mesa but each year he. was able to
do less work and his growing sons
were compelled to look after the
store more as each year passed.
Many of the old settlers of i Burke
county tell us chat the first man
they became acquainted with 4 on
sTheir arrival here WAS Mr.. Bfenkaaf:
and there are quite a number that;
remember him for q long time on
account Of various times that he pc
2friended them when a friend was
badly needed. The deceased was
always very progressive. and at all
times had the best interests OF the
city Of Bowbells at heart. He was
always ready and willing to do any
thing which in his judgment was
for the betterment of the city and
community, and never tired of
boosting for the great Bowbells
country. He had confidence IN
Bowbells and the surrounding coun-
try long before this part of the state
was inhabited, and, his confidence
continued until his death. He saw
the raw prairies broken up and
made into up-to-date farms, saw
the new towns spring up around
here, and saw Bowbells grow from
q one shanty concern to a fair sized
country city. During his residence
here he held q number Of city offices,
and his jud dgment In regard to all;
matters was looked up to with great
respect. He Il survived by q loving
wife and four sons, two daughters
having died In their infancy. The
sons are r. T. BlenknerS OF Bow BELLS
IA. p, Blenkner OF Spokane. Wash J,
j #. Blenkner Of Olive, Mont, and I'M
II. A. Blenkner of the y. 81, Army
at Camp Lewis, Wash. All were
present. during the deceased's last Ill
ness. n. rs. 81 S3, G'3
The. funeral, services we're con-
Quoted BY the Masonic Lodge sat the
SBlenkner residenc In this city ana
were very impressive. a large
number OF people. were present at,
the services In spite Of the cold,
weather. and the casket was literal
sly covered with cut flowers The
members OF the lodge marched to
the Bowbells cemetery In 9 body,
and there conducted additional ser. sel,-.
9vicea over the grave 81 Sfs53. IN