C. G. Muesing, who has resided within the borders of Cedar county for a third of a century, was first identified with industrial interests here as a carpenter of Lowden, afterward conducted a furniture and undertaking establishment in that town for a period of eleven years and since 1894 has carried on general agricultural pursuits. His farm embraces one hundred and eighty acres of arable land in Springfield township and in its cultivation he has won a well merited measure of success.
His birth occurred in Westphalia, Germany, on the 22d of April, 1855, his parents being Gottlieb and Marie (Pranger) Muesing, who spent their entire lives in that country. He remained in the fatherland until sixteen years of age and there obtained his education. In 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first locating in Indiana, where he learned the carpenter’s trade and worked at that occupation for five years. On the expiration of that period, in 1876, he came to Lowden, Cedar county, Iowa, and here continued to work at carpentering until 1883. In that year he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at Lowden, conducting a successful establishment of that character until 1894, when he disposed of his interests in this connection and purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land in Springfield township. To the further cultivation and improvement of that farm he has devoted his time and energies continuously since and in connection with the tilling of the soil is also engaged in stock-raising.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Muesing chose Miss Fredericka Hillman, who was born in Germany on the 24th of November, 1860. Her parents passed away in that country and in 1878 she emigrated to the United States in company with her sister and brother-in-law, Diedrich Reinking, coming direct to Cedar county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Muesing have been born six children, namely: C. H., living in this county ; Annie, who is the wife of M. B. Pauls, of Cedar county; Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to Emil Ebbert, of this county; and Emma, Caroline and Alfred, all at home.
In early manhood Mr. Muesing gave his political allegiance to the democracy, but when that party advocated free silver he became a republican and has since been a stanch supporter of the principles of the latter party. He held the offices of councilman and treasurer while a resident of Lowden, has also acted as road supervisor and for a period of five years served as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood at Lowden. He and his wife attend the services of the Evangelical church at that place and are well known and highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth. Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Muesing. He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing country. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Cedar county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
