John Saggan
John Saggan, one of the well known and prosperous residents of Denison, is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Holstein on the 1st of May, 1867.
His parents, H. H. and Christina Saggan, who were also born in Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872 and during the first five years of their residence in the new world made their home in Chicago, Illinois. In 1877 they came to Crawford county, Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives on a farm here. H. H. Saggan passed away in 1910, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1907. They reared a family of three children, namely: Mary, the wife of Paul Rosburg, of Plymouth county, Iowa; John, of this review; and Martin, who is a resident of Denison, Iowa.
John Saggan, who was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On attaining his majority he rented the place and was busily engaged in its cultivation for ten years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Denison, where he has remained to the present time, being engaged in business as the proprietor of a saloon. He now owns a brick business block containing five store buildings on West Broadway and is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen .of the community.
In February, 1892, Mr. Saggan was united in marriage to Miss Ella Jepsen, a daughter of Peter and Anna Jepsen, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this volume. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Henry P., Saggan Hugo, Martin, Edward and Harry.
Mr. Saggan gives his political allegiance to the democracy but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of office. Fraternally he is identified with the Iadependent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 393 at Denison. He well merits the proud American title of a self-made man, owing his present prosperity entirely to his own efforts.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.