Biography of James Musel

JAMES MUSEL, busily engaged in the further development of his farm on section 4, Paris Township, Howard Co., is a native of Iowa, his birth occurred in Tama Twsp., September 8, 1869, his parents being Albert and Ann (Herska) Musel, who were born in Bohemia. They came to the U.S. in youth with their respective parents, both families settling in Iowa. For a short period they were residents of Iowa City and then made permanent location a year or so later in Tama Co., being among the first settlers in that part of of the state. The first habitation of the Musel family was a dugout in the side of a hill with a board lean-to. It was in Tama Co. that the parents of James Musel were married and they are still residents of that county. They have lived to witness many changes as the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward and their present comfortable home bears no resemblance to the pioneer dwelling which they occupied.

James Musel was educated in the district schools but his opportunities were somewhat limited, for from the age of ten years he assisted in the work of the fields. Whenever there were tasks to be done on the farm he had to remain to assist in the work. The teacher, however, always boarded at the Musel home and James Musel was given much help in his studies in the evenings by reason of this fact.

On the 2nd of Jan. 1894, he married Miss Fannie Upah, of Tama Co, and following his marriage carried on farming for a few years in that county. He afterward devoted four years to general agricultural pursuits in Pocahontas Co. and on Christmas Day of 1912 removed to Howard Co. Iowa, purchasing his present home farm, which is a valuable tract of land of 304 acres.

To Mr. and Mrs. Musel have been born eight children, namely: Charles, Carrie, Albert, Edward, Lucille, Leo, Pauline and Joseph. The family are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Musel is a member of the Farmers Catholic Workman.

History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties,
By Robert Herd Fairbairn (Published 1919 - Volume II)
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
Transcribed by Leonard Granger