Jurgen Jurgensen
A native of Crawford county, where he has spent his life up to the present time, Jurgen Jurgensen was born in Hanover township, January 27, 1882, a son of Edlef and Margaret (Bietz) Jurgensen, both of whom were born in Germany.
They came to America when young and were married in Iowa. Subsequently the father engaged in farming with such good results that he acquired a place of two hundred and eighty acres in Hanover township, Crawford county, upon which he and his wife are now living. To them eight children were born. namely: Caroline, who married Carl Grill, of Charter Oak township; Jurgen, of this review; Herman, at home; Moritz, who is engaged in farming in Hanover township; and Mary, Edward, Hannah and John, alI of whom are living at home.
Jurgen Jurgensen was reared upon his father's farm and secured his early education in the district schools. As he grew up he assisted his father to the extent of his ability and continued at home until twenty-four years of age. He then began farming on his own account on part of the old homestead and as he has been diligent and enterprising in everything he has undertaken, he now enjoys welI earned prosperity.
On the 22d of December, 1909, Mr. Jurgensen was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Riemer, who was born in Chicago, June 10, 1891, a daughter of Ludwig and Hannah (Lutz) Riemer. Her parents were born in Germany and married in their native land, coming shortly afterward to this country. After spending several years in Chicago, they came to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1893, and Mr. Riemer bought eighty acres of land, which he cultivated to good advantage until his retirement in 1908. He and his wife are now living in Mondamin, Iowa, where they own a beautiful home.. He has disposed of his farm and is now in the enjoyment of the fruits of many years of well directed labor.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Riemer: Augusta, the wife of George Sciford, of Crawford county; William, also of Crawford county; George, who is living at home; Theresa, now Mrs. Jurgen Jurgensen; Anna L., at home; August, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Gustave, who died at the age of three years; and George, at home.
One child, Irene H. M., has come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jurgensen, her natal day being December 27, 1910.
Mr. Jurgensen and his wife are earnest believers in the authority of the Bible and are valued members of the Lutheran church. He has from his earliest recollections been identified with agricultural interests and has shown an ability and progressiveness in the management of his business which gives brilliant promise as to the future. Everything about his farm indicates careful attention, the buildings and fences are in repair, the stock is of a good grade and the proper rotation of crops has kept up the productiveness of the fields. He justly ranks as a thorough farmer and also as a patriotic and useful citizen.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.