~ Biographical Sketch ~

Bendicht Minger, born on Saturday, the 14th of October 1837 in Mulchi,
Switzerland, was the 7th child of Johann Ulrich and Anna Maria (Hofer) Minger.

He was baptized fifteen days later in the neighboring village of Messen. At the age of seven, Benjamin (as he was known) immigrated to America with his parents, brothers and sisters. He is listed in the 1850 Ohio Census as living with his parents in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and states that he had attended school during the year. Three weeks later he must have been visiting his married sister Anna Barbara (Minger) Yaberg, as his name appears once again in her household. Benjamin's name next appears in a book now in the possession of his great nephew, Reuben White of Guttenberg, Iowa. The entry reads, "April 21, 1853, Working on the railroad, Benjamin Minger - one day." A similar entry appears for the following day. Benjamin was then about 15 years old.

In the spring of 1856 Benjamin left Ohio with his parents and moved to Guttenberg, Iowa. The family settled on a farm in Section 32 Jefferson Township in Clayton County. When Benjamin was 24 years old he was married on 27 June 1862 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. John's) in Guttenberg to Elisabeth A. Albright. They made their home on his parents farm and continued to do so following his father's death in 1863. Benjamin's mother also continued to live on the farm. perhaps in the log house which had always been her home. Judging from census records, there were two separate dwelling places on the farm. On 21 February 1866 Benjamin purchased all of the farm property (110 acres) for which he paid $1500.00. An 1886 Directory lists, "Benjamin Minger, farmer and stock raiser." At some point in his life Benjamin acquired an additional 38.15 acres in Section 33. Benjamin and Elisabeth had six children - Albert, Amanda, Emma, Anna, William and Julia.

Benjamin's wife died at age 58 in 1898. Benjamin continued to live on the farm until about 1905 when he retired and moved into the town of Guttenberg. He and his unmarried children lived in a stone house; This house was still standing until a couple years ago. Benjamin died in Guttenberg at age 77 on 28 March 1915. His two sons, Albert and William never married; they both died on a Christmas Day, three years apart.

As none of Benjamin and Elizabeth Minger's married children had children of their own, there are no living descendants from this family.


His daughter, Julia, married Frank Leigh.¹

Bendicht died on Sunday, March 28, 1915 in Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa, at age 77 His cause of death is recorded as Chronic Diarrhea.¹ He was buried on March 31, 1915 in Guttenberg City Cemetery, Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa, Services were held in the Minger home by Rev. Hoffman.¹

His obituary in the Guttenberg Press, Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa, on April 1, 1915, reads --

Pioneer Resident Passes Away

Benjamin Minger was born in Mulchi, Canton Bern, Switzerland, Oct. 11, 1847, and died at Guttenberg, Iowa, Mar 28, 1915, aged 77 years, 5 months, and 11 days. At the age of 7 years he came to America with his parents, sisters and brothers; and located near New Philadelphia, Ohio, where they resided until the Spring of 1856, when they immigrated to Iowa, settling on a farm near Guttenberg, where he lived until 11 years ago, when he retired and moved to this city, where he resided until his death. On June 27, 1862 , he was united in marriage to Miss Elise Albright, who preceded him in death nearly 17 years ago. Six children were born to them, Albert, William and Emma at home, Amanda, of Dubuque, Iowa and Mrs. Frank Leigh, of Chance, South, Dakota.

Deceased had been ailing for some time and all that loving hands could do and medical knowledge could suggest was done for him to ward off death but all to no avail. He was a patient sufferer and had not given up hope for recovery until the Angel of Death called him to that world, where there is happiness forever. Mr. Minger was an ambitious man during his entire life and was a kind and true husband, father and friend, always ready with heart and hand to do kind acts for others which won him many friends. Besides his children, his death is sadly mourned by a large number of relatives and friends by whom he will be sadly missed. Funeral services were held at the Minger home Wednesday afternoon and interment was made in the City Cemetery. The funeral was largely attended. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hoffman.