Banzhaf, John (1836-1917)

BANZHAF, JUNGINGER, AIGLEY, IOOSS

Posted By: C Tucker (email)
Date: 7/16/2017 at 10:11:40

Evening Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [Friday 1-19-1917] p. 17

PIONEER CONTRACTOR OF THE CITY DIES

JOHN BANZHAF, ONE OF THE COURT HOUSE BUILDERS, PASSES AWAY

HAD MADE HOME HERE FOR FIFTY-THREE YEARS

Other Monuments of Handiwork Are High School Building and Methodist Church - Came to America in 1854 With Capital of $20 - Served Two Terms as Member of City Council

John Banzhaf, pioneer contractor of this city, and a former member of the city council, died at his home, 312 East State street, at 8 o'clock Thursday night, following an illness of six weeks, due to grippe, complicated with heart and kidney ailments and general infirmities due to age. Mr. Banzhaf was 80 years old last summer. Mr. Banzhaf was one of the early contractors of Marshalltown, and among the monuments to his handi-work are the Marshall county court house, built in 1884 by Banzhaf & Reimer and D. W. Townsend; the Marshalltown high school, built in 1893 by Banzhaf & Reimer, and the Methodist Episcopal church, which Banzhaf & Reimer built in 1898.

NATIVE OF GERMANY

A native of Gerstetten, Wurtemberg, Germany, Mr. Banzhaf was born June 17, 1836, a son of Jacob and Eva Junginger Banzhaf. As a boy young Banzhaf was attracted to the new world, and emigrated to this county landing after a voyage of forty-six days in New York harbor on his 18th anniversary, June 17, 1854. His worldly capital was represented by the sum of $20, a healthy body, and a willingness to work. He set out at once for Pittsburgh, where he found employment in the coal mines, and later on a farm.

TO THIS CITY IN 1863

Recognizing that the newer western country offered better opportunities for a young man, Banzhaf came to Iowa in 1862 and settled in Floyd county, remaining there a year. On Aug. 26, 1863, in Chicago, Mr. Banzhaf was united in marriage with Miss Anna Magdalena Aigley, of Lena, Ill., and on Sept. 1, 1863, came to this city. Having learned the trade of a stone and brick mason, Mr. Banzhaf entered into the building business, and one of the first dwellings he constructed was one for himself at the corner of Fourth avenue and State street which, when completed, he and his wife occupied. This has ever since been the Banzhaf home. Mr. Banzhaf was in the contracting business himself for many years, but in 1883 formed a co-partnership with a young contractor of the city, John F. Atkinson, and Banzhaf & Atkinson began work on a larger scale. This partnership existed until 1891, when C. F. Reimer and Mr. Banzhaf joined interests and were in business together until the Methodist church job was completed. Mr. Reimer has been retired since 1896. He made and saved a small fortune, and at the time of his death was very well-to-do.

SERVED ON CITY COUNCIL

As a member of the city council Mr. Banzhaf served two terms, having been elected in March, 1891, from the First ward, to succeed H. V. Speers. This was during the administration of Henry Anson as mayor. Mr. Banzhaf was re-elected in the spring of 1893, and served during Dr. W.. Kibbey's term as mayor. He was succeeded on the council by C. J. Scheeler. Mr. Banzhaf has no near living relatives in this country save two nephews and a niece - Gustav and Michael Banzhaf, and Miss Pauline Banzhaf, of this city. The latter has been keeping house for her uncle. A sister, Mrs. Louise Iooss, lives in Germany. Mrs. Banzhaf died in this city Feb. 23, 1902. Mr. Banzhaf was a charter member of Goethe Lodge, No. 211, I.O.O.F. which was organized in 1871, and is a past noble grand of the lodge. He was also a member of the German Evangelical church.

FUNERAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Funeral services for Mr. Banzhaf will be held from the residence at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, in charge of Rev. Karl Rest. Burial will be in the family lot in Riverside.