Mueller, August F.

MUELLER, WACHTMANN, HORN

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 2/4/2010 at 17:39:48

History of Hamilton County Iowa, vol.II, 1912, p.110.

AUGUST F. MUELLER.

A little boy fourteen years old, journeying from northern Wisconsin to Aberdeen, South Dakota, rich in the possession of four dollars in money and a comfortable fortune in hope and ambition, finally completed his travels at the home of an uncle and was taught the hardware, tinning and plumbing trades. Today August F. Mueller is a leading hardware merchant and plumber of Webster City, Iowa, and his friends are numbered among the representative citizens of that community. He has attained distinct success in the interval between his start in business and the present time, and his prosperity is entirely the result of his untiring efforts along worthy and useful lines.

Mr. Mueller is of German ancestry. His birth occurred in Brown County, Wisconsin, August 11, 1869. His parents, Henry and Sophia (Wachtmann) Mueller, were born and married in Germany and came to the United States about 1860. They settled almost immediately in Wisconsin where the father became a representative and progressive farmer and carried on his activities in this line until his death in 1875. His wife survived him for four years and passed away in 1879.

August F. Mueller was one of a family of six children. He was only six years old when his father died and had reached the age of ten at the time of his mother's death. He received an irregular education by attending the winter sessions of the Wisconsin public schools, but in 1879, when his mother died, he was obliged to definitely abandon any hope of further study. He stayed upon his father's farm with his brother and sisters until 1883, when the property was sold, and August Mueller, then fourteen years of age, was given four dollars and sent upon his way to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to an uncle and cousin who were residents of that city. He finally reached his destination and for six years remained in Aberdeen. In 1889 he went to Columbia, South Dakota, and was successful as a hardware merchant and plumber in that city for two years. He was actuated by ambition and energy of a rare order and by a knowledge that any success which he might gain could come only through his own untiring efforts. His removals at various periods in his life were made judiciously and with a view to his commercial advancement. He spent one year in Sioux Falls after his residence in Columbia, and on December 15, 1891, arrived in Webster City, where he was employed by Charles Crary in his hardware and plumbing business for about three years. Mr. Mueller brought his German thrift and economy to bear in his industrial activities. He saved all the money he made beyond his expenses and in April, 1895, was able to buy the business of his employer. In partnership with J. B. Huff he reorganized the concern and commenced business under the firm name of Huff & Mueller. This association continued until January 28, 1903, and was productive of a gratifying degree of success for both partners. In 1903 Mr. Mueller purchased the interest of Mr. Huff and has since that time been operating the business independently. He deals in all kinds of general hardware and his heating and plumbing department is one of the important sources of his prosperity. He brings to his activities an open and energetic mind, honorable commercial methods and a broad intelligence, which are the basis of his success. He adds to this a personal experience in the mechanical details of his business and an expert knowledge which is the result of his long connection with one line of work.

On February 12, 1896, Mr. Mueller was united in marriage to Miss Paulina Horn, a daughter of William Horn, who follows the occupation of tailoring in Webster City. They have one daughter, Clarine Naomi, born June 27, 1897.

Mr. Mueller gives his political allegiance to the republican party but is not personally interested in public affairs. He is a director of the Northwestern Felt Shoe Manufacturing Company, but this is the only commercial association he has beyond his hardware and plumbing business. He is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M.; in Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M.; in Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T.; and in Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also prominent in Lodge No. 302, B. P. O. E., and his fraternal relations form an important item in his life. He belongs to the Congregational church of Webster City and he maintains his residence at 901 Division street. Mr, Mueller is, beyond all question, a successful man. Besides being a credit to his energy and enterprise his personal success may serve as an inspiration and help to others who come after and who are struggling against adverse and hampering obstacles.

Hamilton Biographies maintained by Lynn McCleary.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen