BENDIX, Christopher

BENDIX

Posted By: Dirk Bailey (email)
Date: 3/4/2008 at 23:45:28

CHRISTOPHER BENDIX

Christopher Bendix, now residing on his farm in Section 16, Union township, is a native of Prussia, having been born about ten miles from the city of Mecklenburg, Dec. 16, 1860, a son of Andrew and Anna Marie (Hess) Bendix. His parents were married in 1846, and came to the United States in 1871, bringing with them their family of three children, of whom Christopher Bendix was the youngest. They came direct to Iowa, locating in the city of Burlington, where the father immediately secured employment at his trade as a carpenter. He continued to reside there for twenty years, but removed to Union township in the spring of 1895, and now resides with his son. He has throughout life enjoyed excellent health, and even now, in the eightieth year of his age, is cheerful, active, and remarkably well preserved. The mother is now deceased, her demise having occurred Dec. 15, 1875.

Mr. Bendix early had the advantage of good training in the schools of his native country, and later in the German schools of Burlington; but when only fourteen years of age was obliged by circumstances to quit school and begin work to aid in the support of the family. He first worked in the basket factory at Burlington, after which he spent three years as a farm hand. He then returned to the city to take a position in the Union depot, whence he was transferred at the end of one year to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy roundhouse. Here he worked for a period of fourteen years as a machinist, the first three years of that time being devoted to learning the trade. In 1894, he purchased his present farm in Union township, consisting of sixty-three acres of excellent farming land, to which he removed in 1895, and here he conducts general farming in addition to engaging largely in the feeding of hogs for the market.

April 19, 1883, Mr. Bendix wedded Miss Matilda Schwab, who was born in Switzerland, and came to America at the age of sixteen years, making her home in Burlington. To their union have been born five children: Walter Wernhard, Leslie Andrew, Goldie Malinda, Raymond Carl Albert, and Elsie Marie Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Bendix and their children are members of Saint Lucas’ Lutheran church.

Fraternally, our subject is identified with Red Cross Lodge, No. 242, Ancient Order United Workmen, and is in his political affiliation a Democrat. He has been to some extent connected with public service,

Having been elected to the office of director of public schools in 1897. He occupied that position for three yeas, or until 1900, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all. He is pleasant, genial, a good neighbor, and has many friends who wish him well. He has achieved success by his own efforts, entirely without help of any kind, and this by the practice of those distinctively American virtues, energy, enterprise, and self-reliance.

transcribed from: BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF Des Moines County, Iowa CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL and GENEALOGICAL SKETCHES of MANY OF THE PROMINENT CITIZENS OF TO-DAY AND ALSO OF THE PAST

CHICAGO HOBART PUBLISHING COMPANY 1905