Christ J. Bangert Biography


	This biography appears on pages 246-247 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				CHRIST J. BANGERT. 

	Christ J. Bangert has represented his district in the state 
legislature and is now mayor of Avon and in all of his public service 
has proved efficient and conscientious. He was born in the village of 
Hesperinghausen, forty-five miles from Berlin, Prussia, a son of Fred 
and Minnie (Volke) Bangert, who in 1871 emigrated to America, sailing 
from Bremen Haven on the steamer Rhine, which arrived in New York after 
a voyage of twelve days. Mrs. Bangert had a brother living at Alden, 
Hardin county, Iowa, and the family located there, the father finding 
work herding cattle, harvesting, etc. In 1878 they removed to what is 
now Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and the father filed on a homestead 
seven miles south of Avon. He devoted his time to the cultivation of 
his farm and resided there until his demise. To him and his wife were 
born eight children: Charles, deceased; Christ J.; Mary, the wife of 
Herman Walkes, residing near Avon; Nettie, deceased; Louise, who 
married Klase Wakes, a farmer living a mile south of Avon; Minnie, now 
Mrs. Henry Lamkee, of Avon; and Fred and Herman, who are farming south 
of Avon. The two younger children were born in this country. 

	Christ J. Bangert secured work near Lakeport soon after arriving 
in this state and was there at the time of the flood of March, 1881, 
and helped to rescue a Mr. Jasper and his daughter from the roof of 
their house, the rest of the family having fled earlier. Added to the 
terror of the water was the suffering occasioned by the cold and the 
young lady lost three of her fingers by freezing during her hours spent 
upon the housetop. Mr. Bangert relates many interesting reminiscences 
of the early days and tales of the privations and hardships which were 
met by the early settlers. At the time of the great blizzard of January 
12, 1888, it was necessary for him to go out in the storm to gather 
corn to burn, as the coal bin was filled with snow packed so tightly 
that it was impossible to get at the fuel. For four years Mr. Bangert 
worked at Lakeport with the exception of three months in the third 
winter, when he went home to attend school. Upon attaining his majority 
he filed on a homestead claim two miles north of Avon, and later he 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres more, remaining upon the farm 
for a number of years. In 1902 he removed to Avon, where he has since 
resided. While living upon the farm he learned the carpenter's trade 
and since removing to Avon has done considerable work as a contractor 
and builder. In fact, he has erected most of the houses in that town. 
In 1907 he became associated in the grain business with Henry D. Giedd 
and the connection has since been continued with mutual pleasure and 
profit. 

	Mr. Bangert has been married three times, his first union being 
with Miss Lena Walkes, who died, leaving an infant daughter, Lena, now 
Mrs. Ed. Minow living southeast of Avon. Mr. Bangert subsequently 
married Miss Carrie Walkes, who became the mother of a son, Reuben, and 
passed away when he was eight years old, Mr. Bangert's third marriage 
was with Johanna Billigmier, who has also passed away. To their union 
two children were born, Elgin Theodore and Pearl Netta, both in school. 

	Mr. Bangert is a republican and was a member of the state 
legislature in 1897 and again in 1901. He is serving his third term as 
mayor of Avon and is giving the municipality an excellent 
administration characterized by businesslike methods and strict 
honesty. He does not belong to any church but attends the services and 
contributes to the support of all denominations. Mr. Bangert is well 
known in his section of the state and wherever known is highly 
esteemed, his admirable qualities of character gaining him the high 
regard of all who are brought in contact with him.