Henry S. Mueller

MUELLER, GERMAND, DAVIS, BROCKMAN, NABEL, STAUB

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/26/2011 at 23:04:41

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, by P. B. Wolfe, Volume I, Biographical Sketches, pages 623-624

HENRY S. MUELLER.

One of the old settlers of Clinton county and a man who figured more or less prominently in local affairs for many years was Henry S. Mueller, a man in whom the utmost confidence was reposed by all who knew him owing to the fact that his dealings with his fellow men were uniformly honorable. He came here in the year 1864.

Mr. Mueller was born in Colvitz, province of Magdeburg, Germany, in 1833, and in him were the characteristics, thrift, courage, enterprise and loyalty common to his race. He was the son of David and Kathrina Mueller, who came to the United States in 1854, settling at Hampton, Illinois, buying eighty acres of what is known as Hampton Bluffs, in Rock Island county. After living there ten years they moved to Clinton county. Iowa, with their sons, Henry and Fred, their other child having died in Germany. Fred was the oldest, and he was born in Germany. Henry, who was then married, bought three hundred and twenty acres of land upon the arrival of the family in Clinton county, and his father and mother lived with him, the latter dying about 1874, the father surviving for a time. Both were highly respected, and were devoted members of the Lutheran church.

Henry Mueller was a man of such exemplary character that it was frequently said of him that no better man ever took up his abode in Clinton county, and his friends were limited only by his acquaintance. He was a successful farmer and stock man and did much for his community. He established a substantial, comfortable and attractive home and kept his place well improved. He was a faithful member and contributor to the Buena Vista Lutheran church,-in fact one of the founders of the same. When he came here the land was wild prairie, but he upturned the thick sod and soon had it in a high state of cultivation, and the old shanty on the land in due course of time gave way to the modern dwelling which he erected himself.

In 1860 Mr. Mueller was married, prior to his coming to Iowa, to Margaret Gernand, daughter of Henry and Martha M. (Davis) Gernand, who came to America from Saxony, Germany. They also settled on the Hampton Bluffs, in Illinois, mentioned above. Their home in the fatherland was near Wartburg, famed on account of the great reformer, Martin Luther, and also because of Wagner, the noted composer, who wrote his masterpiece, "Tannhauser," there.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mueller, an equal number of boys and girls, named; in order of birth, as follows: Marie, born July 17, 1861, married Fred Brockman, of Rock Island, Illinois, and they had seven children, the mother dying February 17, 1896; Henry was born December 5, 1862, is married and lives on the homestead; Fred, born October, 1864, lives in Clinton county; he and the first two children named were all born in Illinois; Minnie M., born January 15, 1867; Margaret, born April 6, 1870, is deceased; Frederica, born September 28, 1872; Adolph, born December 2, 1874; Emma, born September 3, 1877; George, born November 18, 1880; Gustav, born January 23, 1884. Nine of these children were living in Clinton county at the time of Mr. Mueller's death, which occurred on December 18, 1905. Mrs. Henry Mueller is now making her home in Calamus, surrounded by her children and all the comforts of life. She owns two beautiful houses in this pleasant little village and has the income of all the properties. She is a lady of high ideals and beautiful traits of character and is a favorite with a wide circle of friends. The Mueller family has long been regarded as one of the leading ones of the county, the children taking a delight in maintaining the excellent reputation of their honored father. Mrs. Mueller is making her home with her youngest son Gustav. The latter married Bertha D. Nabel, daughter of Michael and Dora (Staub) Nabel, both living in Davenport, one of the excellent families of that old city.