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Maassen-Myers-Paustian

Among the farmers of Shelby County, Iowa, who believe in following twentieth century methods is John F. Maassen of Lincoln Township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields; they have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Bishop Whipple to write the memorable line, "Westward the course of empire takes its way."

John F. Maassen, a prosperous farmer of Lincoln Township, was born on November 1, 1868, in Rock Island County, Illinois, and is the son of Reimer and Mary (Myers) Maassen, his father being born in Germany in 1846 and his mother in the same country in 1850. Reimer Maassen came to this country in 1863 and settled in Illinois, where he first worked as a farm hand and later found employment in a paper mill. In 1878, he brought his family to Scott County, Iowa, where he farmed for six years, and then settled in Shelby County and purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land in Fairview Township. He was a progressive farmer, improved his land and added to it from time to time until at the date of his death he was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming land in Fairview Township and two hundred acres in Lincoln Township. His widow died in 1910 and both of them are now buried at Avoca, Iowa. To Reimer Maassen and wife were born twelve children, seven of whom are still living.

John F. Maassen was ten years of age when his parents left Rock Island County, Illinois, and came to Scott County, Iowa, and consequently received part of his education in Illinois and a part of it in this state. Owing to the fact that his father had such a large amount of land, he remained upon the home farm until he was thirty years of age, assisting his father until a few years before his death, and then assuming the management of the home place until his marriage in 1899. After his marriage, he rented land from his father until 1908, and then bought two hundred acres in Lincoln Township, which was part of the family estate. He has improved his farm with all the modern conveniences, having his home lighted with gas and heated with a furnace. He has erected a fine country home at a cost of four thousand dollars and equipped it with all the latest conveniences and improvements. Mr. Maassen is one of those sterling German farmers who take an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community. He is a man who has the courage of his convictions upon the issues of the day. In 1913 he had seventy acres of corn, which yielded him about forty-five bushels to the acre, a low average, due to the dry season.

Mr. Maassen was married in 1899 to Sophia Paustian who was a native of Cedar County, Iowa, her birth having occurred there in 1874, and to this union have been born three children who are living with their parents, Lillie, Reimer and Edna.

In politics, Mr. Maassen has supported the policies of the Democratic party, but has never held any public office other than that of township trustee, a position which he is holding at the present time. He and his family are earnest members of the German Lutheran Church, are very much interested in its welfare and to its various activities contribute generously of their means. By his persistent advocacy of wholesome living, honesty in business affairs, and sterling integrity of character, Mr. Maassen has long enjoyed the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him and justly merits a place in this volume of biographical memoirs of his county.

Note: These people are buried at Avoca, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa

Submitted by: Mona Sarratt Knight. Source: Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa