The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-04-14
Tribute To Worthy
Citizen of st. Clair
John Bestman Was One of the
Highly Thought of Residents
In Village.

one OF the oldest and most respect
ed residents of this community
PASSED away at his home at this
place Saturday evening at six
o'clock from chronic heart disease
Mr.. Bestman had not been in good
health for over two years and the
last five weeks was confined to his
bed. Funeral services were held al
the home Tuesday afternoon at two
O'CLOCK. Odd Fellows lodge No. IL
oil Mankato, OF which he was a
member for about forty years, had
charge of the service. Rev. T.
Ross Paden of Mankato OBLIGATED
The choir, consisting of Mrs
George Macbeth and daughter Mrs
sydney Fields of Mankato, Mr.
PICKLE of Eagle Lake and DR.. Mac
beth of this place, sang ''Some
Time Wen Understand" and "Jes
US, Lover of Ny Soul" in a very
touching manner. The floral offer
ings were many and beautiful
which spoke their silent testimony
of the esteem and respect of one
that had lived a useful life in the
midst Of those who sent them for
so many years. Interment was
made in the cemetery south of the
village. Those from away to at
tend the funeral were MIR. and Mrs.
Charles Bestman of st. Paul, Mr.
and Mrs. Herbert Bestman and
daughter Marjorie of New Richland
Mr.. Bestman was born in Holstein,
Germany, July 10, 1912, coming to
America in 1868. He lived at Man
kato for a few years and then came
to st. Clair, which was then Win
nobago Agency, where in 1858 he
was united in marriage to Henriet-
children were born, three boys and
one girl. Charles at st. Paul; Her.
bert of New Richland, John on the
old home farm, and Helena with
her parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Bestman
made their home in this village for
eight years where Mr.. Bestman
worked at his trade as blacksmith.
They then moved on the farm south
of town where they resided for
about thirty years, moving back to
this place eleven years ago next
June, which has since been their
home. Mr.. Bestman during his life
time was active in public affairs of
this community, holding many re-
sponsfble positions. When the To-
cal State bank was organized he
was made vice president and later
became president, which position
he held until POOR health compel
ed him to resign, but he was per-
Suaded to accept the office of vice
president again, which position ne
held at the time of his death. He
was also a member of the local
school board for a number of years
until in declining years he refused
a re- election ana the responsibility
was thrown onto younger shoulders.
He was a member of the McPher-
SON Farmers Insurance company,
serving as president of that active
organization. Mr.. Bestman was a
kind and loving father and leaves
to mourn his departure his wife,
four children and three grandchild-
rem.
Beulah Schroeder, a member OF
the grammar department of the
local school. has been required to
give up her studies for a time on
account of Ill health.
Pete Smith, Jr., formerly one of
st Clairs young men, but who now
Is manager of a lumber yard at
Waldorf, was a st. Clair visitor
Sunday.
Mrs. Anna Andrews has been
confined to her home with the
grippe since Thursday.
Mrs. Miner, who has been assist
ing at the home Of Mr.. and Mrs.
John Bestman, ST., returned to her
home at Eagle Lake Sunday.
Mrs. Elmo Nyquist is acting as
day central at the telephone office
for Jennie Grignon, who has had
to remain at her home 10 care for
her mother, who is very Ill at the
time of this writing.
Cora Wingen, who has been re-
operating from her illness at the
home for her parents, Mr.. and Mrs
Joe Wingen near this place, return
ed to st. James Sunday to take up
her duties as teacher at that place
Mr.. and Mrs. Helm came from
Minneapolis Sunday, being called
here by the serious illness of the
latters mother, Mrs. Grignon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Hilton en-
tertained number Of relatives al
dinner Sunday.
Arthur Dickey was called to &C.
dar Rapids, Iowa, Sunday by the
serious illness of his brother.
AS oSShSS WI hAiS III bAO III
terest of the Country Gentleman
contest in company with the pro-
fessor of the Pemberton school
called at the local school Tuesday
of last week.
Friday of last week the pupils oil
the grammar room, intermediate
primary and sixth and seventh
grades won half holiday by a per
cent in attendance during the past
month.
The high school students were
allowed the afternoon by Prof
Nelson, the girls to acquire prac
tice in kitten ball and the boys base
ball. Both teams have recently
formed, but they hope in the near
future to contest with similar
teams of otner schools.
Milton Juliar Kenneth Chase and
Ralph Juliar, students of the local
high school were among the mum
Der that accompanied Mr. Mcmillan
county agent, to st. Paul Monday OF
last week to attend the short course
in agriculture, returning home Fri
day.