Christopher Stanger, one of the pioneers of Delaware
county, was born in Germany, December 14, 1814. When a lad of
seventeen years he came to America and after spending some time
in the eastern states located in Chicago in 1832, which city was
then a small country village. While living in Illinois he married
Margaret Trier. Together with other gold seekers he went to
California in 1852, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama, which
he crossed on foot. Returning he migrated with his family to
Delaware county, locating in Union township in the fall of 1854.
The family went through the usual hardships of the early
settlers, when neighbors were scarce and Dubuque the nearest
market place.
There were eight children. Rebecca died in early
childhood. Mary Elizabeth and Ezra died shortly after coming to
this county as a result of eating wild parsnips. John C., who
died in 1894, drove across the plains in 1863 and spent his life
in the gold fields of Nevada. Joseph E, came with the family to
this county in 1854 and is now living in Hopkinton. Solomon is a
resident of Sebeka, Minnesota. Asa O., formerly county
superintendent of schools, is living at Manchester. Levi B., who
was prominent in church and local affairs, died in 1908 of
pneumonia.
The family continued to live on the farm in Union
township for more than fifty years, or until the death of the
parents. Mrs. Stanger died in 1890 and her husband in 1904. They
were highly esteemed in the vicinity in which they lived for
their uprightness and integrity. They were liberal supporters of
the Methodist church and lived their profession of religion in
every day life.
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