Bargen, Isaac I. (1857-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Sep 2 p. 1

Date of Birth: 1857 Nov 29, S. Russia
Date of Death: 1943 August 25, Minnesota

text of obituary:

Isaac I. Bargen Died Last Week at Mountain Lake, Minn.

ONE OF COMMUNITY'S BEST KNOWN CITIZENS PASSED AWAY AT AGE OF 85

Mt. Lake, Minn.—Isaac I. Bargen, 85, widely known teacher, postmaster, publisher and business man, died here Wednesday, Aug. 25. Mr. Bargen had lived in retirement during the past few years and was in failing health for some time.

Mr. Bargen, because of his active life and varied interests, was one of the community's best known citizens. He was secretary of the Mennonite Aid Plan, had served as principal of the Mountain Lake public schools from 1886 to 1893, was the town's postmaster for over 30 years, and at one time was publisher of the Mountain Lake View and other periodicals.

He was born at Alexanderfeld, Russia, on Nov. 29, 1857.

Friends from all walks of life attended the large funeral held at the Bethel Mennonite church. Three sons and three daughters survive.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Sep 9 p. 1

text of obituary:

News of General Interest

. . .

— Speaking of the busy and eventful life of I. I. Bargen, 85 year old resident of Mountain Lake, Minn., who passed away there Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Mountain Lake Observer published the following biographical note: "He entered another phase of his public service in 1901, when on April first, he purchased Mountain Lake's weekly newspaper, The View, from E. E. Lane. He stayed at the helm of the local press until 1915, when he sold out to W. J. Toews. While in the printing business, he founded and published a German language weekly, Unser Besucher. Another activity that claimed much of his time was the Mennonite Aid Society which he helped to organize in 1897. He became the first president of the organization and held his position until 1925, when he took over the secretaryship, which he held until his death."

The Mennonite obituary: 1943 Aug 31 p. 16
The Mennonite obituary:1943 Oct 5 p. 1

---

MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Alexanderfeld, S. Russia
Son of Isaac and Justina (Loewen) Bargen)
Married Sara Hiebert 1886 December 28
Educator, editor, publisher, postmaster -- Mt. Lake, Minnesota

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
With wife and 6 children -- 1896 Mt. Lake, Minnesota
See Frank Balzer Sr. for group photo

Sources:
B. Bargen's Bargen genealogy cards 12
Photo from Gerhard Buhr 1992
Grandma Profile #31415
Find A Grave 30650406
Alternate birthdate November 17, see Grandma genealogy database