Biunger, Johann Friedrich

Biunger, Johann Friedrich a Lutheran minister. was born at Etzdorf, near Leipsic, in 1810. He prepared himself for the ministry at Leipsic, and came to America in 1839, with the Saxonian colony which emigrated in that year, and settled first in Perry County, Mo. The year after he went to St. Louis, became teacher at the Holy Trinity Church School, afterwards assistant to its pastor, and in 1848 pastor of the Immanuel Church, which position he held until his death, Jan. 26,1882. Pastor Binger was for many years president of the Western District of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri. He was also the founder and president of the Lutheran Hospital and Asylum of St. Louis, president of the Orphan Asylum at Des Peres, and for a long time a member of the Board of Supervisors of the Concordia College. His chief interest, besides his clerical work, centred in educational purposes, and the number of young men whom he prepared for the higher classes of the college was very great. He was of almost unbounded liberality towards the poor, and of ardent zeal in the cause of religion and humanity. (B. P.)