USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 44
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In 1887 William Raymond Green was united in marriage to Luella Washington Brown, of Creston, Iowa, to which union two children have been born, William Raymond Green, Jr., and Margaret Thorp Green.
Judge and Mrs. Green reside during a part of the year in Washington (30)
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and part of the year in Audubon, their old home, and are highly honored and respected by the people, not only of Audubon county, but of the surrounding counties which Judge Green is serving so well in the capacity of legislator and public servant.
THOMAS F. MUSSON.
So keen is present-day competition that he must be gifted with ability who can wrest success, if not fortune, from circumstances and environment, which in themselves do not seem promising, at least from a worldly view- point. To do this, and at the same time to leave a name that is honored even beyond the geographical limits of the home, and a memory that is cherished by family and friends alike, is perhaps the highest type of success ; however quiet and obscure may have been the life. After all, may there not be other values higher than those by which a man is generally judged? And if so, who shall say this or that life is the more successful? As a lover of his home, as a business man, and as a loyal, God-fearing citizen, Thomas F. Musson, now deceased, will long be remembered by the community in which he passed the most of his life, and always with respect and esteem.
Thomas F. Musson was a native of England, born in December, 1835, the son of James Musson, who lived all of his life in England, and whose occupation was farming and stock raising. In 1865 Thomas F. Musson came to America, his brother, William, coming later. William Musson located in Des Moines, Iowa, and lived there until 1868. He died on Jan- uary II, 1900, leaving a widow, and four children, two sons and two daugh- ters. William Musson was first a railroad man, having been for some time baggagemaster on the old Fort Dodge railroad, and later became station agent, a position he held for many years. Entering politics to some extent, he was elected, by the Republicans, county clerk of Polk county, Iowa, retain- ing that office for three terms. He died while filling the office of grand secretary of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows in Iowa.
Thomas F. Musson was still a young man when he arrived at Chicago. After engaging in the stock business at the Chicago stockyards for two years, he took up farm work in Madison, Iowa, and in 1876 came to Audubon county, where, the next year, he bought one and one-half sections of good land in Melville township and lived there for the next thirteen years. Sell- ing this, he bought four hundred and eighty acres in Leroy township, known as the Barlow place, three miles east of Audubon, and later bought one-half
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section of land in Cook county, South Dakota. Mr. Musson was an expert on the subject of stock raising. He was a breeder of Hereford cattle, and of draft horses, and carried on an extensive business.
In 1878, Thomas F. Musson was married to Sarah Boone, whose family history is of more than the ordinary interest. She was born in Washington county, Indiana, a daughter of William Boone, who was related to Daniel Boone, that sturdy old pioneer who more than once escaped death at the hands of the Indians. William Boone's wife was Susannah Farnsley, of Harrison county, Indiana. William himself was born in Boone county, Iowa, the state to which his parents had migrated from Indiana in 1847, traveling with their household goods packed in two four-horse wagons and one two-horse wagon, twenty-five head of stock bringing up the rear. The journey was not as expeditious nor as comfortable as the modern Pullman, for it required four weeks and two days to cover the distance. In arriving at their destination, they found only a few log cabins in the settlement, which is now one of the largest and most thriving of the Western cities, Des Moines. Coming to a stretch of promising country, fifteen miles west of that place, they stopped their tired horses, untied the ropes from their weary cattle's necks, unpacked such personal and household belongings as were needed for immediate use, built a fire for their supper, and this was the beginning of the town named Boone. The rugged pioneer who was the father of a family to become well-known as early settlers, had previously chosen this site for his home, for he had made the same journey the previous year, and had bought a claim on Coon river. Not long after the first camp fire, he gathered together the necessary material and put up a two-story log cabin, the second story being considered a luxury in those days, and later built a more modern home. He always remained a farmer and stock raiser. It is not surpris- ing that this enterprising man became the owner of a large tract of land, for aside from the advantages of being an early arrival, he possessed great energy and power of endurance. However the hard work and deprivations which are the lot of the pioneer told upon his health, for he died in 1854, at the early age of forty-nine, his widow's death not occurring until thirty- three years later. As early settlers, this family was, of course, very well known. Of a family of nine children, only two, Mrs. Musson and a sister, Mary, living in Montrose, California, survive. Mrs. Musson was the fourth child in the order of birth, and her surviving sister, the next to the youngest. The others were John, a farmer who lived in Boone, Iowa, and died in 1912; Florida, Francis, Martha, Margaret, Julia and Elizabeth. The family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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To Thomas F. and Sarah (Boone) Musson were born six children, all but one of whom are living, as follows: John A., who lived at Audubon until his death on July 4, 1912, and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Mary, who married Fred A. Buthweg, a merchant of Audubon, a biograph- ical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Laura, who married J. E. Griffith, a druggist of Audubon; Bertha, who married Charles S. McCleran, of Audubon; Charles S., a dentist, also living in Audubon, and Susie, who lives at home with her mother.
Mr. Musson was, during the active period of his life, one of the notable farmers and stock raisers of this county. His prominence and popularity were not based upon the fact of his material possessions, but rather upon those estimable traits of character which attracted friends and strangers alike. He was gentle, charitable and hospitable, and had that priceless pos- session known as self-command. His religious faith was expressed in the tenets of the Episcopal church, but his wife retained her membership in the Presbyterian church of Audubon. Mr. Musson belonged to that solid, reli- able class of citizens which can always be depended upon to do the right thing at the right time, and who will not allow personal interests to interfere with matters of duty where others are concerned. All who knew him respected him, and his death, on March 16, 1904, was a real loss to a neigh- borhood, he still being held in grateful and respectful remembrance by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES JURGENS.
Of the European nations whose sons have come to America to seek their fortunes none has contributed a finer type of citizenship than Germany. The virile characteristics of their old Teutonic ancestors seem to persist generation after generation, and there is no section of a newly-settled country that does not welcome them as neighbors and prospective citizens. The examples which such settlements and families always set are wholesome and helpful to their neighbors, of whatever nationality, and much of the successful agriculture of the Middle West, for example, is due to the thrift, the industry and the economy of these early settlers who brought with them their old-world ideals.
An excellent example of this type of early settler is Charles Jurgens, a prominent farmer of Douglas township, who came to this country with his
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parents, John and Lena Jurgens, when he was twenty-four years of age. He was born in Pommern, Germany, on December 5, 1860, his parents also having been natives of that place. The father came to America in 1884, and died a year later, the wife remaining in Germany. Both were Lutheran in faith. They had four children, namely: William, who is dead; Ricky, who married Fred Margerfleich, lives in Colorado; Minnie, the wife of William Beckman, of Osceola county, Iowa, and Charles, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch. Owing to the adverse economic conditions of his early sur- roundings, an education was impossible, and in youth and early manhood he worked out on a farm until he came to America. Just previous to coming here, he married Hannah Beckman, also of Pommern, the wedding taking place on September 26, 1882. His bride was a daughter of Ludwig and Mary (Miller) Beckman, who came to this country in 1883 and located in LaSalle county, Illinois. In the hope of bettering their condition and of finding more congenial home surroundings, they came to Audubon county eight years later, making their new home in Douglas township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Like the parents on the other side of the family, they, too, were Lutherans. Their children were William, of Osceola county, Iowa; Hannah, who married Mr. Jergens; Minnie, who married August Raebel, of Audubon; Ricky, who became the wife of William Berg, of Doug- las township, and Ludwig, of Lincoln township, this county.
Upon coming to this country in 1882, Charles Jurgens and his wife first took up their residence in La Salle county, Illinois, farming there for three and one-half years, after which they went to Osceola county, where they remained a similar length of time. Then, for a period of twelve years, they lived and worked in several localities of Audubon county, finally buying their home of one hundred and twenty acres of section 4. Douglas township. Under their direction, the farm began to take on another aspect, and when the splendid new residence was built, it became a landmark of the entire neighborhood. Mr. Jurgens learned the principles of agriculture from his father, and his reputation in this line is unexcelled. He specializes in fine stock, having a grade of cattle, hogs and horses, of which any farmer might be proud.
To Charles and Hannah (Beckman) Jurgens eight children have been born, Lewis, Mary, Anna, August, Max, Dora, Elizabeth and Ella. Of these, Lewis married Sophia Ross and lives in Audubon; Mary married Homer Ross and lives in Lincoln township, this county; Anna married Fred Klave and lives in Sibley, Osceola county, this state, and August married Anna Borkowski and lives in Lincoln township, this county.
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Although he has never cared to be in public life, Charles Jurgens has taken a warm interest in the political affairs of the county and has always cast his vote with the Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens are active church members, and are generous with time and means in any enterprise that will make the church of greater influence and power in the community. Having lived in this county for many years, they are very well known, and their sphere of influence for this reason is large. Their home is a home in the true sense of the word. It has never been used merely as a shelter and dwelling place for the family that owned it, but has always had an open door for friends and acquaintances, of whom they have many. In building a home and in making beautiful the waste places about them, Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens have contributed to the whole community, of which they and their children have been an important part.
WILLIAM MILLER.
There was not much in his early surroundings to inspire dreams of con- quest when William Miller, now a prominent farmer of Douglas township, this county, was a little lad growing up in Germany. But, somehow, the spirit within him seemed mightier than the conditions, and in his adopted county he has become deservedly successful, his name being well known for miles around his immediate home. It would be interesting to know just what first planted the seed of ambition in a, youth of this kind. Was it an environment in a country so crowded that making a living became a difficult task; was it the advice of friends that drove him later to America, or was it love of adventure, a desire to know what kind of a world existed beyond the horizon of his sky? Whatever the motive, he came, and he brought with him those strong traits of character which are necessary to success in any country. He had not only physical strength, but energy, perseverance and faith in himself, and so it is not surprising that he should have risen to such a plane of prominence as to make this brief biography appropriate here.
William Miller was born on October 14, 1875. in Hesse Nassau, Ger- many, son of Henry and Kate (Dresher) Miller. It was not a little family circle into which he was born, for he was the sixth of seven children, sup- ported by the work of their father who was a shoemaker, both he and his wife being hard-working Germans, born and brought up in the little town in which they reared their family. Both are now deceased. They not only had care for the things of this world, but brought up their children in the
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fear of the Lord, and early led their little brood into the church of their choice, the Lutheran. There were born to these pious, hard-working parents seven children, as follow: Henry, who remained in Germany, and fol- lowed the trade of his father; Conrad, who came to this country, married Bertha Dittman, and became a farmer in Viola township, this county, and who died on November 1, 1908, his widow surviving him; Hartman, a farmer in Germany; Helen and Henry, also residents of Germany; William, the subject of this sketch, and Kate, who married Edward Roggish, of Manning, Iowa.
Owing to the excellence of the German school system, William Miller's education was above that of the average American boy of that day, sim- ilarly situated, although he did no more than attend the common schools. He was indeed a brave little fellow who could bid goodbye to mother, father, sisters and brothers, and start on the journey which was to separate him from them for many years, perhaps forever, and this he did at the tender age of fifteen. To be sure, he was to meet Conrad, his older brother, who had preceded him to the shores of America, but the journey was made alone. After living with this brother for awhile, William Miller started life for himself, by "working out" by the month on a neighboring farm, and he was thus employed for the following fourteen years.
On February 15, 1905, William Miller was united in marriage to Ida Berg, who was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, daughter of William M. and Ricky (Beckman) Berg, natives of Pommern, Germany, the former of whom was a son of Ludwig and Mary ( Petersen) Berg, of Pommern, who, coming to America in 1880, located in La Salle county, Illinois, and farmed there until they moved to Audubon county in 1884, settling in Douglas town- ship, where they spent the balance of their days. The children born to this union were as follows: Fred, who lives on the old homestead; William, father of Mrs. Miller; Ricky, who married James Blom, of Audubon, and Minnie, now Mrs. Graves, of Douglas township. The history of William Berg, father of Mrs. Miller, is interesting. Coming from Germany with his parents, he first "worked out" by the month in La Salle county, Illinois, then moving to Audubon county, he began the acquisition of land and now has four hundred acres of valuable land in Douglas township, a tract which he has extensively improved. He and his wife are the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Miller is the eldest. The others are as follows: Minnie, who married Fred Holtz, of Douglas township; Emma, living at home : Lucy, who married Oluf Winther, of Audubon, this county; Lilly, who married Edward Holtz, and Frank, who lives at home
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After his marriage, William Miller located on a farm one mile west of Audubon, where he and his wife lived for one year, at the end of which time they moved to Lincoln township, where they lived two years. In 1907 Mr. Miller bought what is known as the Peter Harmon place in section 4, Douglas township. Part of his success at least is due to the fact that Mr. Miller has been progressive in his ideas, and has made improvements as they became necessary. Besides engaging in general farming, he has raised mixed stock, Duroc-Jersey red hogs and draft horses.
To William and Ida (Berg) Miller two children have been born, Will- iam H. born on February 10, 1906, and Lillian Helen, January 7, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lincoln Lutheran church, to which they have contributed not only of their time and of their warmest interest, but of their means. In his church activities as well as in matters pertaining to their livelihood, Mr. Miller's efforts have all been seconded by his good wife, who has ever been ready with encouragement and devotion, and with a practical mind and willing hands to aid him. Theirs is a home which attracts many friends, for these wide-awake, active people are regarded as among the prominent residents of that neighborhood.
Mr. Miller has not tied himself up to the principles of any one political party, but exercises his privilege of voting independently, being an ardent advocate of good local government and believing firmly that in local affairs men and not measures should be the good citizens' guide in the exercises of their franchise.
EDWARD DRYDEN.
Prominent in the affairs of Audubon county and distinguished as a citizen, whose influence extends beyond the community honored by his resi- dence, the name of Edward Dryden stands out conspicuously among the suc- cessful farmers and stock breeders of Hamlin township. All of his under- takings have been actuated by noble motives and high resolves, characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality. His success and achieve- ments but represent the result of utilizing the talents with which he was endowed and in directing his efforts along those lines, where mature judg- ment and discrimination lead the way.
Edward Dryden was born on January 22, 1858, in Iowa City, Iowa. He is a son of John and Marguerite (Burns) Dryden, who were natives of Ireland, coming to the United States when young people and, subsequently,
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they were married in New York. They were farmers by occupation and came west to Iowa in the early fifties. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, four of whom lived to maturity. Edward Dryden, the subject of this sketch was the eldest of those who lived to maturity and the fourth child born to his parents. He received a common school education. His father died when he was seventeen years old, and Edward then, being the eldest child took charge of the farm and with his brothers tended it until he was married. After his marriage, he lived on the home place for two years, and then removed to South Dakota, where he pre-empted a hundred and sixty acres of land in Charles Mix county. He lived in South Dakota for six years or until he had lost everything as a consequence of the drought. At the end of this time he sold his South Dakota land and came to Audubon county, Iowa, where he rented land for one year. During this same year, 1891, he sold hogs for three and one-fourth cents a pound, eggs for three cents a dozen, corn for fifteen and twenty cents and potatoes for fifteen cents a bushel.
In 1892 Mr. Dryden purchased a hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in section 16, Hamlin township, paying fifteen dollars an acre for it. He has since built a good house, barn and other buildings, making it a well- improved farm at the present time. He also owns a section of land in the province of Alberta, Canada.
Mr. Dryden was married on December 21, 1883, to Mary B. Dimick, who was born on April 14, 1866, in Johnson county, Iowa, just south of Iowa City, and who is the daughter of John J. and Fannie (Mitchell) Dimick. They were natives of New Jersey and New York respectively, and came of old Yankee stock, and located in Iowa soon after their marriage. The mother died when Mr. Dryden's wife was thirteen years old. The father again married soon after this and thus kept the family together. In 1883 the family moved to Audubon county, Iowa, where he lived until his death. Mrs. Dimick died March 1, 1879. Mr. Dimick died on January I, 19II. He was making his home with subject at the time of his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have had five children, four of whom are living. Of these children. Bert Floyd, born on June 16, 1885, married Nancy L. Layland and they were the parents of two children, Floyd Earnest, born on January 30, 1910, and Leon Merle, March 25, 19II. The mother of these children is now deceased. Ethel Melissa Dryden, who was born November 22, 1886, married August Nicholsen and they now live in Canada. Leroy Elmer, born on April 22, 1888, married Hattie Wright and they have one child, Dallas Leroy, born on August 20, 1914. Ethel Melissa, Leroy Elmer
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and Bert Floyd were born in South Dakota ; Fay Odessa was born on Febru- ary 10, 1893, and died April 20, 1899; Merle, who was born May 2, 1896, married Lester Layland, on July 18, 1914. Since the death of the mother of Mr. Dryden's two grandchildren, he has taken them to rear.
Edward Dryden has his own threshing outfit, and uses his engine for plowing, running the corn shredder. etc. He has always been a progressive citizen and his ideas have done much towards building up an energetic spirit in this section of Audubon county.
Mr. Dryden is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the American Nobles. He is a Democrat, and has been elected to various offices, but not caring to hold these offices he refused and declined to act. The Dryden family are all members of the Congregational church and are active in the affairs of this church.
CHRIS HAHN.
Chris Hahn, one of the representative agriculturists and stock growers of this county, during the active period of his life, was known as one of the alert, progressive and successful farmers of this favored section of the Hawkeye state. In his labors he did not permit himself to follow in a blind rut in an apathetic way, but studied and experimented, and thus attained the maximum returns from his efforts. Mr. Hahn has so conducted himself at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of Audubon county, and is well known for his honorable business methods and for his keen, active and helpful interest in whatever tends to promote the public welfare.
Chris Hahn was born on December 25, 1843, in Grund-Hagen, Prussia, a son of Christof and Anna Hahn, the former of whom died when his son, Chris, was a mere lad. His widow afterwards married Christian Dreher, who came to America after Chris Hahn had emigrated to this country, and died in the United States. Mr. Hahn's step-father occupied a rented farm in Germany for fifteen years, and there Chris learned the rudiments of agricul- ture, as well as the thrifty and frugal habits of his German ancestors. He served his term in the German army, enlisting in November, 1866, and serv- ing three years as a soldier. He participated in the Prussian-Austrian cam- paign of seven months, in 1866, and also served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, receiving his discharge on August 1, 1871, at which time he was
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connected with the Fourth Regiment of Prussians. He was in the battles of Woerth, Dionville. Gravelotte, Beaumont, Strasburg, Metz, Amiens, Orleans, Montbellard, St. Quentin, Paris and Pontlieu. Mr. Hahn has two medals which he received for bravery in these wars. He was never wounded in battle during all his service.
In 1876, after the close of the war, Chris Hahn came to America and located at Atlantic, Iowa, where he was engaged in railroad construction work for three years. In 1877 he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in Leroy township, near Audubon, this county, and two years later, in 1879, he moved to the farm, on which he built a house. This land cost him eight dollars an acre, and in 1880 he bought eighty acres adjoining his first purchase, for which he paid nineteen dollars an acre, and in 1881, he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres more at the same price, nineteen dollars an acre. For these latter purchases he went heavily in debt, paying out from year to year. In 1891 Mr. Hahn bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid twenty-five dollars an acre, and in 1890 he pur- chased still another tract of one hundred and sixty acres at forty-one dollars an acre. In 1902 Mr. Hahn purchased five acres, located in Audubon, paying for the same twenty-five hundred dollars, and moved to this tract, where he erected a splendid house in which he now lives. In 1912 Mr. Hahn bought eighty acres two and one-half miles southwest of Audubon, paying one hun- dred and fifty dollars an acre for it. He spent two years in Canada, 1907-8, where he bought a section of land. This land has been improved and he has now turned it over to his sons.
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