Ibe Iben, successfully engaged in the pursuits of general farming and stock-raising, owns a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 25, Prairie township. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 28th of February, 1868, his parents being Herman and Maria (Luckens) Iben, who spent their entire lives in that country. In 1890, when a young man of twenty two years, Ibe Iben crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way direct to Iowa, locating on, a farm near Monticello, Jones county. Ten years later he came to Delaware county following farming in Adams township until 1904, when he took up his abode on his present place of one hundred and twenty acres three and a half miles north of Ryan. He built a hog house in 1909, made an addition to his residence in 1910 and erected a hen house in 1913. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to stock raising, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
     In 1896 Mr. Iben was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Harms, a daughter of Harm and Maria (Johnson) Harms. To them have been born eight children, as follows: Anna; Mamie; Tina; Freddie and Louise, twins; Herman; Loriena; and Albert, twin brother of Loriena, who is deceased.
     Mr. Iben gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and now enjoys financial independence and the kindly regard and esteem of his fellow citizens.