John Martin Atzen

ATZEN, KETELSEN, WIES, BLEADORN, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/25/2011 at 12:02:42

Wolfe's History of Clinton county, Iowa, Volume 2, pages 1014 and 1015

John Martin Atzen

Among the young agriculturists of Brookfield township, Clinton county who have forged to the front in their chosen line of endeavor, the name of John Martin Atzen is worthy of special mention in this connection for he has been a hard worker and has managed well, as only a cursory glance over his splendid farm will attest.

Mt. Atzen was born in Berlin township, this county, June 29, 1881. He is the son of Henry and Anna (Wies) Atzen, both natives of Germany, the former born on November 18, 1854; the latter died when Mr. Atzen was young. The father came to Clinton county, Iowa, when fifteen years of age, and located in Berlin township, and he lived with his uncle, Peter Petersen, there for some time. After he was of age he began life for himself by renting farming land in Berlin township, which method he followed for several years, and by being economical and working hard he got a good start, and in about 1883 he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Brookfield township, and afterwards bought one hundred and twenty acres more adjoining. The place was nearly all timber when he purchased it, but he went to work with a will and in due course of time cleared it and placed it under cultivation, and erected good, comfortable buildings. He carried on general farming and stock raising, always feeding a large number of cattle each year.

Politically he was a Democrat and he served his district as school director. He belonged to the Lutheran church and was a man of high integrity and honor, his life being led along such lines as always inspire the confidence and good will of others. After the death of his first wife, he was married to Mrs. Anna Bleadorn. The following children were born to the first union: Harry, Eddie, John Martin and Mrs. Anna Schmidt. Two children were born to the second union, Minnie and Hilda. The father moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1905 and retired.

John M. Atzen, of this review, grew to maturity on the home farm, which he worked when old enough, and he attended school in Brookfield township. He remained under the parental roof until he married; in fact, he has never left the home place, but prior to his marriage he assisted his father with the general work about the farm, and since then he has been doing for himself, and he has shown that he is a very able agriculturist in all its phases, keeping the farm well improved and well stocked and his labors are rewarded year by year by abundant harvests. He is enterprising, hard-working and is highly respected by his neighbors, as was his honored father before him. He feeds cattle quite extensively and has good success in this line. Mr. Atzen was baptized in the German Lutheran church and he has never departed from that faith.

On March 20, 1905, Mr. Atzen was married to Otilie Kettelsen, who was born in Brookfield township, the daughter of Claus and Hermina Ketelsen, which union has resulted in the birth of two children, Martha and a baby, Vernon. Like the Atzen family, the Kettelsens are highly respected.