CHRISTIAN C. MOLLER.
Many prominent residents of this county have braved the dangers of a sea voyage in order that they might build their homes in a new country, without having the restrictions of the Old World to hamper their progress; but few on their westward journey passed through as hazardous experiences as did the subject of this review. There is little in the conditions now surrounding Christian C. Moller to indicate the tempestuous nature of his advent to America, but, in order to realize his dream of life in a vast, untried land, he passed through experiences more varied than those which fall to the lot of the average voyager.
Born in Ringkoving, Jutland, Denmark, on February 2, 1870, he lived the usual life of the farmer's boy until his nineteenth year, when he decided to cross the ocean and work out success for himself. Mother and father, brothers and sisters, were all left at home. Christian C., his father, for whom he was named, was a farmer, and early taught his boys the principles upon which they could build successful careers in that occupation. The mother, Mary (Christiansen) Moller, lived a quiet life, but took great interest in the welfare of her five children. Both lived in their native country until they passed away, he in 1880, and she thirty years later. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their children were: Christian, a merchant in Aarhuus, Denmark; Martin, a farmer near the same place; Peter, who continues farming on the old home place; Mette, who married Christian Sorensen after coming to America, and whose home is in Hamlin township, this county; and Christian C., the subject of this biography.
Christian availed himself of the opportunity of attending school as long as he could, receiving a common-school education. Presently there came the inspiration to seek America, and he set sail in a vessel called the "Denmark." The boat was wrecked in mid-ocean, the crew and passengers being picked up by a German vessel, which landed them safely on the Azore islands. The castaways remained there for two weeks, and then took passage to New York, the journey requiring two months. Christian had lost all that he had, and when he found himself in the great metropolis he had just fifty cents in his pocket.
From New York Christian C. Moller soon immigrated westward, working as a farm hand for four years, at the end of which time he settled in
Audubon county and rented the farm he now owns in section 38, Sharon township. After living here four years as a tenant he bought eighty acres, and then later added forty acres and then eighty acres more. Now his farm is considered one of the most valuable in the county, being located on the ridge road between Audubon and Kimballton. On the original eighty acres, there was a small house and barn, but these have been replaced by splendid new buildings.
Lizzie Olsen became the wife of Christian C. Moller on February 9, 1893. The bride was a native of New York state, and the daughter of Hans Olsen and Annie Christina Carstensen, both of Denmark. The parents of Mrs. Moller first lived in the Empire state and later went to Iowa City to reside, following this by a residence in Shelby county, and then moved to Sharon township, Audubon county. They owned part of the land which Mr. Moller bought, and were engaged there in farming. The father and mother both worshipped in the Lutheran church, and were pious. God-fearing people. The mother passed away in 1907, and the father, three years later. Mrs. Moller has an elder brother named Peter living in Atlantic, Iowa, and a younger brother, Ole, of Sharon township.
While Mr. and Mrs. Moller took up their residence on the present farm in 1893, it was not until 1912 that they drew the plans for the fifteen-room house in which they have since lived. No home in the vicinity is more beautiful or more comfortable than is this; equipped as it is with hot and cold water, bath, furnace heat and gas. Improvements amounting to over twelve thousand dollars have been added to the farm, these including a fine barn built in 1902. The stock bred by Mr. Moller is similar to that of the other stock raisers of the vicinity, consisting of Shorthorn cattle, Belgian draft horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs, of which he usually has from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five head. His average planting of corn is seventy acres.
Mr. Moller has been identified with other enterprises than farming, having been secretary of the Sharon Creamery Company for six years, and a stockholder in the same business, and a stockholder in the telephone company and also in the Atlantic Northern railroad.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Christian C. Moller, the eldest being Annie C. The next daughter, Maria, married Simon Lykke, of Popular, Iowa. The others are, in the order of their birth, Olga C., Hans C., Clara C., Juel C. and Thora C. All were educated in the common schools and also in the Danish schools of the county.
The community in which Mr. Moller lives has shown its confidence in his judgment and integrity by honoring him with the office of school director, in which capacity he has served for several years. He is also at this time trustee of the Sharon township schools, and gives his time and attention in a spirit of unselfish interest that secures the appreciative recognition of all who know him. Mr. Moller is interested also in politics, and has always cast his lot with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Moller are adherents of the Danish Lutheran church.
Mr. Moller is a man of refined tastes and intellectual accomplishments. Beauty in all its forms makes a strong appeal to him, and he and his wife have surrounded themselves with artistic environments. Many exquisite paintings, as well as the furnishings of their home, create an artistic atmosphere which makes a visit with them a pleasant experience.
Some time ago, Mr. Moller visited his old home in Denmark and brought back with him many attractive pictures of his native country, including views of his own boyhood home. The influence of such a man as has been described very briefly is not bounded by the circle of his daily activities and acquaintances. One whose chief interests are along the line of mental and moral wellbeing is a constant source of strength and inspiration to his family, to his neighbors, and to all who come within the range of his influence. While successful as a farmer and business man, he has not allowed material affairs to usurp all of his thought, but all the time that he was getting ready to live, he has really lived. All of his joys and sorrows have been shared by his faithful, genial and capable wife, whose industry and encouragement has been a leading factor in his success.
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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. 729-732.
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