The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-08-13
.SUCCUMBS TO V PNEUMONIA ON
 INTERIOR TRIP
Juneau Financier Died Just Six Months to Day
 After Wife's Death
ENTIRE COMMUNITY
 MOURNING HIS LOSS
Pioneer Merchant Was Ma tive ofBavaria- Had Been
 Here Over 50 Years

B. M. BehrendS, "A, Alaskan mer- chant, banker, leading citizen and philanthropist. passed away in the Cordova hospital at 10:40 last night. Death was caused by pneumonia, developing after a pleurisy attack which caused him to leave the steamer Yukon on which he and his grandson, Ben Mullen, were re- turning to Juneau following an extensive trip through Alaska.
 At the time of his death, his daughter, Mrs J. F. Mullen, his grandson Ben Mullen, and his son. in-law, Judge J. F. Mullen, were in Cordova.
 Judge Mullen has been asked by radio if he wished the steamer Mt. Mckinley to put into Juneau on it's southbound trip, but no answer had been received up to late hour this afternoon. If the Mt. Mo Kinley does not come into Juneau it is expected that the body of MT. Behrends, accompanied by the members of his bereaved family, will come to Juneau on the Yukon, arriving here Monday or Tuesday.
 News Shock Here
 The news of MT. Behrends un- timely death struck heavily on all who learned of 1t this morning when Guy McNaughton, Cashier and Vice. President of the B. M. Behrends Bank, friend and business associate of the financier for more than 33 years received radiogram from Judge Mullen advising him of the fact. Death came just six months to the day after the death of Mrs. Behrends, also from pneu- monia, in Ketchikan.
 Throughout Juneau groups rep resenting all classes were seen somberly discussing the sad news and in subdued, hush e d voices speaking with reverence of the man they all knew as a friend, and recounting a legion of personal events in which, from personal ex- perience, they knew MT. Behrends had been the sponsor, the bene- factor, the kindly friend.
 Born in Bavaria, Germany, MT. Behrends came with his parents to the United States in 1878. To- eating at Nebraska City, Neb., where he worked on his fathers farm and also gained his first experience in merchandising as clerk in the country store.
 Came to Sitka
 In 1884, the beginning of that foresight and ability that later made him an outstanding success, urged him Westward with the tide of empire, and journeyed to Los Angeles and into various localities of Orange County, including Santa Ana, and other places, where he found greater opportunity for his rapidly developing merchandising ability.
 Although reaching the position of store manager, he was not sat- isfied and at the age of 25 came to Sitka, Alaska. in 1887, where he worked for the Sitka Trading Com pany of which former Governor John c. Brady was principal own er After few months he was sent to Juneau as manager of the Sitka Trading Companys business here. and held that position for four years. During this time, on October 25, 1889, he married Virginia M. Pakle, who had come to Sitka in 1886, and whom he had met while working in Sitka.
 In 1901, the young merchant de- cided he would establish business of his own, and in that year, as banker and merchant" opened a business under his own name. In 1904 he incorporated the mercan- tile business, and in 1914 incor- porated the banking business, of which corporations he has been head ever since.
 Exceptional Judge of Men
 Known, always as an exceptional judge of men, B. M. Behrends early gathered around him strong personnel for his enterprises. In- cluded in these are Guy McNaugh- ton, Vice. President and Cashier of the B. M. Behrends Bank, who has been associated with the bank and store for B years; George E. -.,