Niels Christian Bang, 1861-1920
BANG, MADSEN, VESTERGAARD, THOMSEN
Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/11/2014 at 17:08:36
N.C. Bang, well known resident of Spencer for nearly forty years, passed away at his home, 23 South Main street, Friday morning, October 17, 1930, being at the time of his death 69 years, 1 month and 5 days of age. Mr. Bang had enjoyed good health until four years ago. In February 1929 he suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he had rallied sufficiently to make a trip to Cleveland, Ohio, to visit his son and daughter that year.
He grew gradually weaker, however, and his death occurred Friday just after midnight.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Bethany Lutheran church conducted by the Rev. K. Nyegaard, pastor of the church. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery at Spencer.
Niels Christian Bang was born September 12, 1861, in Mimtofte, Denmark, where he was later baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On November 3, 1883, he was united in marriage to Anna Katrine Madsen.
In June 1891, Mr. Bang came to the United States, locating in Spencer. In December of the same year he returned to Denmark to bring his family back with him to the United States. They arrived in Spencer April 5, 1892, and have since made their home here.
The family joined the Bethany Lutheran church in the spring of their arrival, and Mr. Bang was an active and faithful member, serving the congregation as president, secretary, deacon, and Sunday school teacher at various times.
Mr. Bang designed and built the Bethany church in Spencer, including the pulpit and number harp. He was a builder of churches for several years throughout the synod, having designed and built churches in Spencer, Royal, Ringsted, Rolfe, Neola, Moorhead, Hartley, Whittemore, Flaxton, North Dakota, and others.
Widely known for his mechanical ability, Mr. Bang's favorite work was that of a gunsmith, and he followed this love until his health failed. He was a pioneer in Spencer in the automobile business and owned one of the first garages in Northwest Iowa. He continued in this business until 1919, and he had since retired each summer to his cottages at Lakes Okoboji.
Mr. Bang is survived by his widow, five children, Mrs. Johanna Vestergaard of Minneapolis, Chris Bang of Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Elnora Thomsen of Spencer, Karl Bang of Sac City and Harold Bang of Spencer, eleven grandchildren, two brothers and one sister living in Denmark, other relatives and numerous friends.
Among those from out of town present at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Hans Sorensen of Harvey, Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. P.N. Druse of and Mrs. Larsen and Mrs. J. Simonsen of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Vestergaard of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Bang of Cleveland, Ohio and two sons, Raymond Bang of Storm Lake and Albert Bang of Minneapolis and Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bang and family of Sac City.
Source: Spencer News Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; October 23, 1930.
Interment in Riverside cemetery
Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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