Bayers, Nels P. 6 May 1848 - 29 Jan 1928

BAYERS, BEIER, VESTERGAARD, WESTERGAARD

Posted By: Wayne K Steffensen (email)
Date: 6/9/2008 at 10:11:16

Obituary Notice, Forest City Summit, Forest City, Iowa dated 2 February 1928

Nels P. Bayers Dies At Daughter's Home

Funeral Party Arrived This Noon and Services Held by Rev. G. Gilberts

Funeral services for the late Nels P. Bayers were held this afternoon at three o'clock in the Norwegian Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. G. Gilberts. Interment was made in Oakland Cemetery. The funeral party arrived from Minneapolis over the M. & St. L. at 1:28 this noon.

Nels P. Bayers, one of the pioneer residents of Hancock and Winnebago Counties, passed away Sunday evening, January 29, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Marie Garbrecht, at 4200 Branson Street, Minneapolis. Death, which was caused by bronchial pneumonia, occurred after an illness of only a few days. As soon as the serious nature of his illness was determined, the relatives were notified, but death came so quickly that only the children who reside in Minneapolis were able to be at his bedside when the end came.

Nels P. Bayer was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, on May 6, 1848. At the age of 20 years he came to the United States and located at Manistee, Michigan. Two years later he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Marie Anderson, also of Denmark. To this union were born thirteen children, ten of whom, survive the deceased: Mrs. Cecelia Ries, Eugene, Oregon; Mrs. Mae Clark, 5044 Thomas Ave South; Peter C. Bayers, 4704 Avenue South; Mrs. Marie Garbrecht 4200 Branson Street, Minneapolis; Mrs. Carrie Wells, St John, N.D.; George W. Bayers, Denver, Colorado; John Bayers, Billings, Montana; Art C Bayers, and Walter Bayers, Musselshell, Montana; and Mrs. Valeta Emerick, Portland, Oregon. The deceased is survived also by a half-sister, Mrs. Lewis Steffensen of this city, and a half-brother, Chris Christensen, of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Mrs. Bertha Marie Bayers, mother of the surviving, died in Forest City, April 2, 1908. A few years later, Mr. Bayers was united in marriage to Miss Olivia Hendrickson, who passed away May 23, 1924. Since that time he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Marie Garbrecht, in Minneapolis.

In May 1872, Mr. and Mrs. Bayers moved from Manistee, Michigan, and settled on a farm near Garner, Iowa. Later they moved to Ellington, Iowa, where they resided until 1902. Mr. Bayers was one of the pioneers of that community, and became one of the leading, prosperous farmers, and stock-raisers. He was the organizer and president of the Hancock Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. In 1902 he removed to Forest City. He was in every sense of the word a self-made man, having landed in this country with but fifty cents in his pocket, and unable to speak the English language. However; he was possessed of a keen, alert mind, and was always able to see and grasp an opportunity. In a few years, through his untiring work and thrift, he became an unusually successful farmer and business man. He was sociable, lovable nature; he was ever a kind husband and father, and a man of sterling worth and character.

Shortly before his death Mr.Bayers made an extensive and enjoyable trip through the west, visiting his sons and daughters in Colorado, Oregon, Montana, and Washington. Throughout this trip he was apparently in the best of health, therefore his sudden demise came as a great shock to his family. All of the out-of-town members of the family arrived in Minneapolis in time to make it possible for all ten surviving children to be present at the services held in the city on Wednesday, February 1, at 3:15 p.m. All of the relatives accompanied the remains to Forest City.