For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 486
ALBERT MARTEN....Among the citizens of this county who have come to America from Germany and founded a home under the protection of the republic is Albert Marten, now living on a highly improved farm in Seventy-six township. He sees no reason to regret the separation from an old home and friends twenty-eight years ago, as it has resulted even more favorably than he deemed possible when he left his native shores. He was born February 26, 1859, and is the son of William and Wilhelmina ( Wolf ) Marten, both natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1884 and made his home at La Crosse, Wisconsin, until 1892, when he removed to Muscatine county. He was called from earthly scenes three years after his arrival in this county. The mother returned to Wisconsin and there departed this life in 1908. There were eight children in the family, six of whom are now living ; Paulina, the wife of William Wentland, of Muscatine, Iowa ; Herman, of Jackson county ; Albert, our subject ; August, of Wisconsin ; Bertha, the wife of Charles Frazer, of La Crosse, Wisconsin ; and Frederick, of Muscatine.Albert Marten was educated in the public schools of his native land and grew up to manhood under the kindly protection of a well regulated home. At the age of twenty-three years, in 1882, he decided to seek his fortune in America and for two years made his home at La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1884, desiring more favorable conditions, he was attracted to Muscatine, Iowa, and for six years was employed in a sawmill in the city. Being an industrious man of good habits, he acquired sufficient money to purchase eighty acres of lane in Moscow township, Muscatine county, which he cultivated until 1900, when he disposed of it and removed to Wapsinonoc township, where he lived for three years. In 1903, he located in Seventy-six township, where he has since lived. Here he rents two hundred and thirty acres, which by his industry he has greatly improved, transforming it into one of the most valuable farms of the township.
In 1884 Mr. Marten was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Blazing, who was born in Germany, January 15, 1863, and is a daughter of August and Mary Blazing. Her father died in the old country but her mother came to America and located in Muscatine. She passed away in 1907. There were nine chldren in her family. The home of Mr. and Mrs Marten has been blessed by five children : William A., at home ; Minnie, the wife of George Jenson, of Cedar county, Iowa ; Frank F.; Henry A. and Harry P., all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Marten are both connected with the Lutheran church and are liberal supporters of that organization. He is identified with the democratic party, and the esteem in which he is held by the people of the township is shown by the fact that he has served as a member of the school board and is now occupting the office of trustee of the township.
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