Obituary for Hinderije Mingers

Mrs. J. TJ. Mingers, one of the oldest settlers in this vicinity, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Goodwin at 7:30 on Monday evening. Had she lived until March 24, next she would have been 92 years old. Mrs. Mingers had been very spry and active for one of her years, but about the middle of last December the infirmities of age told heavily on her and she was taken to the home of her daughter, where a special nurse was secured and where the aged woman was given every care.

Hindertje Bonk was born at Emden, Ostfriesland, Germany on March 24 1824, and in early life was confirmed m the Reformed church. On July 6 1855, she was united in marriage at Aurich, Germany, with Jacob Ulrich Mingers of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Mingers decided to make their home in America and they left Germany on May 12, 1857, landing at New York City on May 30. A few days later they went to Chicago and resided there until August 1, 1864, when they came to Minonk, which had since been the family home.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mingers, four of them dying in Chicago. The two who survive are Jacob A. Mingers and Mrs. Gretje T. Goodwin, both residing in Minonk. Four grandchildren survive, all of Minonk: Jacob U. Mingers, Victor A. Mingers, Sophia D. Ryan and Henrietta Hinrichs. The deceased is also survived by one brother, Wilco Bonk of this city.

When Mr. and Mrs Mingers came to Minonk they opened a dry goods and grocery store in a building which stood about where the Snedden barber shop now stands. After a few years they moved their store to the east side south of where the Joseph Pickard houses stand and where they did an enormous business, customers coming from far and wide. The husband attended to the grocery side and the wife to the dry goods side and they worked with perfect harmony and accord. They continued the business until 1871, when they retired, although Mr. Mingers was thereafter honored with a number of local political offices. The husband died in 1888, and since that time Mrs. Mingers had lived alone, not from necessity but from choice, as the comfortable homes of her children were ever ready to receive her.

Mrs. Mingers was of that hardy, industrious type of women who will undergo all privations and sufferings with the man of their choice and who will walk with him through trouble and sorrow and through prosperity and success. That she was self reliant is shown by the fact that she wished to be alone, without servants without help of any kind. For many years, besides doing all of her own housework, she would take care of her yard and her flower garden which was an attraction for every stranger who visited the city. Her life's record is one that demands the respect, the admiration and the reverence of all. A remarkable woman has passed away.

Funeral services are being held from the home of the daughter, Mrs. Goodwin, this afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J. M. Tidball, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiating. Burial will be made at the Minonk cemetery.

The pallbearers are Mayor F. J. Simater, John Vissering, Conrad Kohl. C. E. Ridge, U. B. Memmen and H. E. Mammen.