BANGERT, JOHN
Among the successful and representative agriculturists of Cleona township who claim Germany as the place of their nativity, is John Bangert, whose birth occurred in Hesse-Darmstadt on the 12th of November, 1852. His parents were Henry and Marie (Wanda) Bangert, also natives of the fatherland, whose entire lives were spent in that country. The father was a distiller by trade, being engaged in that line of activity for twenty-one years. John Bangert, of this review, was the second in order of birth in a fmaily of six children, he and a sister Mary being the only ones of that number to come to this country.
In the common schools of Germany John Bangert acquired a good education and remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, when he came alone to America. Here he joined an uncle, John Wanda, who resided in Muscatine county, Iowa, near Blue Grass, with whom he continued to make his home until twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account and for four years operated a farm belonging to his aunt in Muscatine county. At the expiration of that period he came to Scott county, where he rented a farm in Buffalo township for two years. He then returned to Muscatine county and there engaged in farming in the capacity of renter until about eleven years ago, when he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on the northwest quarter of section 34, Cleona township. He has since directed his efforts toward the further development of this farm, which under his wise and careful management has been brought to a high state of cultivation, it being one of the well improved properties of the township. He practices rotation of crops, has made a thorough study of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and the proper cultivation of the same, and is systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, so that with the passing of the years he has won a most gratifying measure of success in agricultural lines.
Mr. Bangert laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage, October 23, 1879, to Miss Katharine Shulte, who was born in Buffalo township, Scott county, Iowa, on the 1st of May, 1858, and is a daughter of Henry and Marie (Gaass) Shulte, both natives of Germany. The parents came to New York in 1850 and were there married, after which they removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence to Davenport. The father died at the age of sixty-eight years, his death occurring on the ocean while on a trip back to the fatherland, while the mother survived for several years, passing away when eighty-three years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bangert were born six children, namely: August, of Cleona township; Marie, the wife of Henry Bierkamp of Cedar county; Anna, who married Henry Lehms of Muscatine county; Clara, the wife of Hugo Schneckloth, a resident of Muscatine county; and Henry and Lena, both at home.
Politically Mr. Bangert has given stalwart support to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, however, and although born across the waters is thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country and is numbered among her loyal, representative and substantial citizens.
This bio was extracted from the History of Davenport and Scott County, Vol. I and II, by Harry E. Downer, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. It was transcribed by Debbie Clough Gerischer.