CHARLES JURGENS.
Of the European nations whose sons have come to America to seek their fortunes none has contributed a finer type of citizenship than Germany. The virile characteristics of their old Teutonic ancestors seem to persist generation after generation, and there is no section of a newly-settled country that does not welcome them as neighbors and prospective citizens. The examples which such settlements and families always set are wholesome and helpful to their neighbors, of whatever nationality, and much of the successful agriculture of the Middle West, for example, is due to the thrift, the industry and the economy of these early settlers who brought with them their old-world ideals.
An excellent example of this type of early settler is Charles Jurgens, a prominent farmer of Douglas township, who came to this country with his parents, John and Lena Jurgens, when he was twenty-four years of age. He was born in Pommern, Germany, on December 5, 1860, his parents also having been natives of that place. The father came to America in 1884, and died a year later, the wife remaining in Germany. Both were Lutheran in faith. They had four children, namely: William, who is dead; Ricky, who married Fred Margerfleich, lives in Colorado; Minnie, the wife of William Beckman, of Osceola county, Iowa, and Charles, the subject of this biographical sketch. Owing to the adverse economic conditions of his early surroundings, an education was impossible, and in youth and early manhood he worked out on a farm until he came to America. Just previous to coming here, he married Hannah Beckman, also of Pommern, the wedding taking place on September 26, 1882. His bride was a daughter of Ludwig and Mary (Miller) Beckman, who came to this country in 1883 and located in LaSalle county, Illinois. In the hope of bettering their condition and of finding more congenial home surroundings, they came to Audubon county eight years later, making their new home in Douglas township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Like the parents on the other side of the family, they, too, were Lutherans. Their children were William, of Osceola county, Iowa; Hannah, who married Mr. Jergens; Minnie, who married August Raebel, of Audubon; Ricky, who became the wife of William Berg, of Douglas township, and Ludwig, of Lincoln township, this county.
Upon coming to this country in 1882, Charles Jurgens and his wife first took up their residence in La Salle county, Illinois, farming there for three and one-half years, after which they went to Osceola county, where they remained a similar length of time. Then, for a period of twelve years, they lived and worked in several localities of Audubon county, finally buying their home of one hundred and twenty acres of section 4, Douglas township. Under their direction, the farm began to take on another aspect, and when the splendid new residence was built, it became a landmark of the entire neighborhood. Mr. Jurgens learned the principles of agriculture from his father, and his reputation in this line is unexcelled. He specializes in fine stock, having a grade of cattle, hogs and horses, of which any farmer might be proud.
To Charles and Hannah (Beckman) Jurgens eight children have been born, Lewis, Mary, Anna, August, Max, Dora, Elizabeth and Ella. Of these, Lewis married Sophia Ross and lives in Audubon; Mary married Homer Ross and lives in Lincoln township, this county; Anna married Fred Klave and lives in Sibley, Osceola county, this state, and August married Anna Borkowski and lives in Lincoln township, this county.
Although he has never cared to be in public life, Charles Jurgens has taken a warm interest in the political affairs of the county and has always cast his vote with the Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens are active church members, and are generous with time and means in any enterprise that will make the church of greater influence and power in the community. Having lived in this county for many years, they are very well known, and their sphere of influence for this reason is large. Their home is a home in the true sense of the word. It has never been used merely as a shelter and dwelling place for the family that owned it, but has always had an open door for friends and acquaintances, of whom they have many. In building a home and in making beautiful the waste, places about them, Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens have contributed to the whole community, of which they and their children have been an important part.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 468-470.
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