The mission of a great soul in this world is one that is calculated to inspire a multitude of others to better and grander things, and its subsequent influence cannot be measured in meets and bounds, for it affects the lives of those with whom it comes in contact, broading and enriching them for all time to come. He who spends his life interpretating the Divine Word has one of the greatest missions to perform vouchsafed to man. The subject of this sketch is one of that number and worthily wears the honor in proper meekness and reserve.
Rev. John Buenger, minister of the German Lutheran church in Iuka township, Marion county, was born at Burg, near Magdeburg, Germany, April 17, 1869, the son of Otto and Antonie (Ruehlmaun) Buenger, both natives of Germany, having spent their lives in that country. The subject's father, who was a minister, is deceased. He did a great work in the Evangelical church in Germany. The mother of our subject is still living in the fatherland. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Max, Werner, Sophia, Emil; Adolph and John, our subject, are twins; Eliza and Erich, who is also a minister. He and the subject are the only ones who ever came to America. The above named children are all living.
The early education of Rev. John Buenger was obtained in Germany. He came to America in 1891 and attended Concordia College at St. Louis, Missouri, for two years. He then went to Madison county, Texas, in 1893, where he took charge of a church. He remained in Texas for ten years. He had very difficult charges in Madison, Fayette and Fannin counties, that state, but he did much good there in strengthening the congregations of his different charges. In 1903 he came to his present pastorate in Marion county, Illinois, the German Lutheran Trinity church. He has done a great work here, having completed in 1908 a beautiful and substantial church edifice, costing two thousand seven hundred dollars. He also conducts the parochial school near the church, ably assisted by his wife, whom he married in 1894, her maiden name having been Louisa Franke, who was born in Barmen, Germany, the daughter of Henry and Jane Menkhoff, both of whom died in Germany. Henry Menkhoff was a teacher in the old country.
Six children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: Ruth, Gertrude, Hans, Antonett, Frieda and Paul. Our subject is well liked by his congregation and by everyone who has had the fortune to know him. He is an earnest and able expounder of the Gospel.
Extracted 06 Jun 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 95-96.