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David Pangburn, retired brick manufacturer, living in Sauk Centre, was born in Scotland, New York, August 27, 1832, son of James D. and Polly (Houck) Pangburn. He received his education in his native state, and there grew to manhood. It was in 1856 that he came to Minnesota, and located at Nininger, in Dakota county. In 1861 he came to Stearns county, and took a claim in Sauk Centre township. In 1864 he located here permanently, and engaged in farming. Soon afterward, he went into making brick. Later he bought the large farm on which the present plant is located. It is on the shore of Sauk Lake, just over the line in Todd county. Here he has carried on general farming and done a large business in brickmaking. Being on
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the shore of the lake he has been able to raft his bricks, and then tow the rafts to Sauk Centre with his barge. The bricks, both red and gray are in wide favor, and nearly all the buildings in Sauk Centre and Melrose are constructed from them. Since dividing his farm among his sons, Mr. Pangburn has purchased a home in Sauk Centre, where he will spend his declining years in well deserved rest after a busy life filled with successful endeavor. He has been an active man in everything that had for its object the progress and betterment of the community, and for several years he served as supervisor of Sauk Centre township. Although eighty-two years of age he is still hale and hearty. Every fall he goes on hunting expeditions to the pine woods, and never fails to bring home a good bag of game.
David Pangburn was married May 9, 1854, to Hattie P. Davenport, born in Saratoga county, New York, January 25, 1835. They have had eleven children: George N., born December 3, 1856; Hattie A., February 22, 1858; Fred L., August 4, 1859; William E., March 31, 1861; Frances A., September 30, 1862; Arthur M., September 10, 1864; Reginald H., May 4, 1866; James B., November 17, 1867; David A., June 16, 1869; Elmer F., March 20, 1871 (died June 18, 1873); and Edwin F., born May 15, 1874. (History of Stearns County Minnesota, Volume II, William Bell Mitchell, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., Chicago, 1915)
David Pangburn died 3 Sep 1920, Stearns County, MN
Harriet P. Pangburn. Deceased Had Been Resident of Sauk Centre Since Spring of 1862. Funeral on Saturday – Children, Widely Scattered, Enroute to Old Home to Pay Last Tribute. The passing away of one Sauk Centre’s oldest pioneers namely, Mrs. Harriet P. Pangburn, occurred at 5 o’clock Wednesday morning, Dec. 26th (1928). Mrs. Pangburn had reached the ripe old age of 93 years and 11 months, and prior to two weeks before her death was enjoying good health with the exception of failing eyesight and slight deafness. Her only daughter, Mrs. Hattie Caughren was at her bedside when she passed away.
Miss Harriet P. Davenport was born Jan. 25, 1835, in Herkermer county, New York. She grew to womanhood in her native state and on May 9, 1854, was united in marriage to David J. Pangburn. Following their marriage they immigrated to Minnesota first settling on a farm near Hastings. They lived in that locality for nearly eight years and in the early part of ’62 they moved to Sauk Centre taking a homestead 3 ½ miles south of town. This place is now mentioned as the “Old Pangburn Homestead.” Some years later Mr. Pangburn bought a tract of land three miles north of the city on the east bank of Sauk Lake and moved his family onto it. Here he was busily engaged in farming. An investigation of the soil was made and it was found to be rich clay possessing excellent qualities for making brick and pottery. Mr. Pangburn was quick to grasp the opportunity, and immediately planned the construction of a brick yard. For 35 years he conducted a modern plant fully equipped with machinery for making pottery and repressed brick. Several Sauk Centre homes and business blocks stand today with the Pangburn stamp on the bricks.
Subsequently to those 35 years of activity the family moved into Sauk Centre into the brick home on the north side of the river which Mr. Pangburn purchased of Mr. Doolittle. Here they resided until in August, 1920, when Mr. Pangburn was taken from this earth.
In July 1921 an attractive little home was erected on Pine street near the Caughren residence, into which Mrs. Pangburn moved to spend the sunset of her life.
The venerable lady has been a member of the Congregational church of this city for many years. She was veritably a pioneer of this state and especially Sauk Centre. Her life was one of service and devotion to her family. Her circle of friends was large and wide spread due to her ever willing hands.
Mr. and Mrs. Pangburn reared a family of eleven children; ten boys and one girl. They are Geo. N. (died May 20, 1929 in Stearns County), Hattie A. Caughren, Sauk Centre (died February 13, 1947 in Stearns County); Fred, who passed away three years ago; William E., New York (died January 21, 1933 in Stearns County); Francis A. (died January 5, 1929 in Stearns County), Arthur M., of Sauk Centre; Reginald H., Moorhead (died October 1, 1932 in Clay County); James B. (died November 29, 1946 in Stearns County) and David A., Chicago (died March 25, 1957 in Stearns County); Elmer F., who died in infancy, and Ed. F. of Chicago (died February 7, 1964 in Stearns County).
Besides the children Mrs. Pangburn is survived by many grand children and great grand children.
Notice has been received from the children from distant points that they will arrive for the funeral, which will be held Saturday afternoon, Dec. 29, at 2 o’clock in the Congregational church with the pastor Rev. C. S. Cparkes officiating.
Interment will be made in the Oakland cemetery in the family plot beside the remains of her husband. (Unknown Newspaper Clipping around December 29, 1928)