Bio of Benedict Lager (b.1841 d.1904), Wabasha Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Ken Bayliss Benedict Lager The History of Wabasha County indicates: "Benedict Lager, in former years a well known farmer and highly respected citizen of Pepin Township, but now deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 21, 1841, son of Bernard and Mary Ann Lager. He came to America with his parents, the family residing two or three years in East Dubuque. In 1859 they came to Wabasha County, Minn., settling on a farm in section 28, Pepin Township, about seven miles west of Wabasha. The land was wild, there were no roads, and Indians were numerous. Bernard Lager and his wife were hard workers and in time developed their land into one of the best farms in Pepin Township. Here they spent the rest of their lives respected and esteemed as good neighbors, and both died on the farm. They are buried in St. Felix Cemetery at Wabasha. Benedict Lager's education was begun in Germany, in the common schools, and he also attended school for awhile after coming to this country. He resided at home until his marriage in April, 1870, to Caroline, daughter of Bernard and Helen Welp of Pepin Township. She was born in Hanover, Germany, November 16, 1850, and came to America with her parents then ten years old, the family settling on Pepin Hill, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lager immediately after their marriage took up their residence on the farm in sections 21 and 28, Pepin Township, which he operated successfully until his death in March, 1904. He then owned 280 acres and had improved the propeerty, having built a fine brick house. He carried on extensive agricultural operations, raising both grain and stock. One of the leading citizens of his township, he served it as supervisor and assessor for a number of years,and was a member of the school board of District No. 3. Politically he was a Democrat. At his death he had accumulated a competence, leaving his family in good circumstances, and was a good husband, father and citizen. He and his family were members of St. Felix parish of the Catholic church, and he belonged also to St. Joseph's Society. He was faithful in all the obligations of life and a liberal supporter of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Lager were the parents of nine children, born as follows: Sophia M., February 12, 1871; Benedict, August 26, 1872; Edward, April 1, 1873; Mary, March 23, 1875; Frank, September 23, 1877; Joseph, October 22, 1879; Henry, April 7, 1882; Annie, September 2, 1884, and George, October 3, 1887. Sophia M., who married Anton Kennebec of Wabasha, died on Wabasha Hill in the spring of 1910, leaving ten children, Isabelle, Lizzetta, Agnes, Clara, Frank, Josepha, Edward, Marcella, Bernice and Ruth. Benedict, now a carpenter in Wabasha, married Anna Graden and has one child, Ervin J. Edward, who is a carpenter living in the State of Washington, married Catherine Dooley. Mary is now Mrs. Edward Wise, Jr. of Lake City, and has three children, Edward, Ralph and Benedict. Frank, who is a railroad bridge carpenter residing in Minneapolis, married Ida Whaley and has two children, Benedict and John. Joseph, who is now a renter on the home farm, married Myrtle Elvira Berlin of Red Wing, January 9, 1907, and has three children, Florence, Dorothy and Frances. Henry is residing on Pepin Hill. Annie is the wife of William Mars, a farmer on Pepin Hill, and has two children, Elvira and Lavina. George, who also resides on Pepin HIll, married Mary Lager, who died December 26, 1915, leaving one child Loraine."