RUDOLPH SEBELIEN

A substantial and sturdy scion of the German race is Rudolph Sebelien, now living retired in Durant. He was born in the little village of Seelent in Holstein, Germany, September 8, 1837, his parents being Christian and Dorothy Sebelien. The father worked at the shoemaker’s trade in his native country until 1853, when he came to American, settling at Davenport, Iowa. The mother had passed away before the family sailed for the new world. The father, thinking to find better opportunities in the United States than could be obtained in his native country, left Germany with his three sons, and Rudolph Sebelien, then sixteen years of age, began earning his living here, the financial resources of the family rendering it imperative that he gain immediate employment. His education had been acquired in the common schools of his native country. He spent three years at farm work in the employ of others and afterward aided his father in the cultivation of the fields upon the home place, Mr. Sebelien having purchased land in Farmington township, a part of which is still owned by his son Rudolph.

Reared to agricultural pursuits, the latter has always been connected with the work of tilling the soil and is today the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Farmington township. His extensive possessions were acquired gradually. He carefully saved his earnings in early manhood until he had enough to purchase some land. He then began farming for himself and as the years have passed he has added to his holdings until he is now one of the extensive farmers of the community. Year by year he diligently cultivated his fields according to modern methods and his earnest labor resulted in good crops, for which he has ever found a ready sale on the market. He continued to actively carry on his large farming interests until 1908, when he retired and took up his home in Durant, where he expects to spend the remainder of his days in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

On the 14th of June, 1883, Mr. Sebelien was united in married to Miss Lena Hamann, who was born in Holstein, Germany, November 23, 1848, and came with her parents to America in 1858. Her father, Henry Hamann, was a farmer of Scott county, Iowa, for many years but spent his last days in Durant, where he died about 1905. His wife passed away in Scott county in 1903. The wife of Mr. Sebelien was called to her final rest in 1895 and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. By her marriage she had become the mother of three children: Lena, who died at the age of seven years; Rudolph; and Louis, The former was born February 15, 1886, and now resides on the old homestead. He married Miss Lulu Ayres, a daughter of Peter Ayres, of Inland township. Louis Sebelien was born July 12, 1887, and is living with his father in Durant.

Mr. Sebelien has usually affiliated with the democratic party at state and national elections but in local matters is independent and casts his ballot for the men who in his judgment are most capable and trustworthy. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church and he and his wife attended its services. From an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources and his enterprise and close application have enabled him to triumph over difficulties and obstacles and work his way steadily upward. He receives and merits the confidence and good will of all, for his business activities balance up with the principles of truth and honor.