Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneers

Benedict Wenger



Benedict cash-claimed a quarter in 12, 3N 48W in 1890, near a number of other 1890-1891 cash claimants.

He's likely the Benedict Wenger in 1870 Washington County, Iowa, farming, 22, with Magdalena 24 both born in Canada. Christian four months born in Iowa, and Christian 71 in France.
1880 Henry County, Iowa, 33, farming, with Magdalena 34, both born in Canada. Jacob is 6, Peter 4, and father Christian 81 born in Switzerland.

Christian and Mary (Roth) Wenger, who emigrated from Germany to Hamburg, Canada, and thence to Washington County, Iowa, making the journey with a team passing through Chicago when that now great city was a village but a trifle larger than Wayland. Settling in 1832, in Marion Township, Washington Co., Iowa, the grandsire of our subject purchased a claim, upon which stood a small cabin and later entered the lands. This family were among the first settlers in that county, and both lived and died upon the farm which they had put in fine cultivation. His wife reached sixty, and Christian Wenger, Sr., the ripe age of eighty-three years. All their children but the three eldest were born in Canada, and came with them to Iowa, and perhaps no better family has ever settled in her boundary. We are pleased to make separate mention of each: John married Mary Ernst; Christian, father of our subject, wedded Elizabeth Goldsmith; Nicholas died unmarried; Joseph married Elizabeth Roth; Benjamin became the husband of Lena Gengerich; Annie married Christian Eicher; Mary wedded Joseph Rich; Lena wedded Christian Ernst, a brother of John's wife; Katie became the wife of John Miller, of Davis County; and Barbara became the wife of Christian Schlatter, the proprietor of the Wayland sawmills.

Herald of Truth; May, 1882
WENGER.- April 9th, in Wayland, Henry Co., Iowa, in the house of his son-in-law, of the infirmities of age, Christian Wenger, aged 82 years and 6 months. He was on a visit to his children, and was not able to return to his home. He was buried on the 11th in Joseph Sommers burying ground. Funeral services by S. T. Miller and Sebastian Gerig, from 1 Cor. 5. His wife died 10 years ago. Brother Wenger was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite church for 68 years. He came from Basle, Switzerland, to Canada in the year 1835, where he lived 17 years. From there he went to Iowa, and lived 30 years one half mile from where the body now rests. He furnished the evidence to all that he with Paul has fought the good fight and finished his course, and that there is crown of righteousness laid up for him.

In 1900 Henry County, "Ben" born August 1848 is farming, with magdelena July 1846, Peter August 1875, Ida May 1882, and Samuel October 1884.

"Benedict Wenger was born in Ontario, Canada, on August 7, 1848. He died at the home of his son, P. P. Wenger, Jan. 5, 1920, at the age of 71 y. 4 m. and 29 d. At the age of three years he came to Iowa with his parents and lived in Washington and Henry counties in the vicinity of Wayland all his life with the exception of one and one-half years spent in Colorado. On May 13, 1869, he was united in marriage to Magdalena Gingerich. To this union 7 children were born. Three children, two sons and one daughter, and their mother preceded him in death. The mother died on Dec. 2, 1903. He was married to Catherine Boshart on Jan. 15, 1905, who died Dec. 8, 1917. He leaves to mourn their loss three sons, one daughter, ten grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Kathie Miller, of Pulaski, Iowa, and a host of relatives and friends. He united with the Amish Mennonite Church in his youth and remained a faithful member to the end. The funeral was held Jan. 7, 1920, at the Sugar Creek Church and interment was made in the adjoining cemetery. The services were conducted by brethren Graber, Gerig, and Musselman."

Gospel Herald - Volume XII, Number 43 - January 22, 1920, - page 815

When Peter married Emma Hahn in 1901 Washington County, Iowa, he said his parents were Benj. Wenger and Magdalena "Qungrich".

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