Rudolph Moeller, 1860-1924
MOELLER, BROGEMAN
Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 06:51:32
The attractiveness of Iowa as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, believing that her advantages and opportunities are equal if not superior to those to be secured in other parts of the country. Mr. Moeller was born in this state, the place of his nativity being in Scott county and the date of his birth September 8, 1860 . His father, Henry Moeller, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and spent his youthful days in that country and came as a young man of nineteen years to the new world, landing at New Orleans. For a time he remained in Louisiana, working on plantations there, but eventually he started northward and located in Scott county, Iowa . It was in that county that he married Miss Sophie Moeller, also a native of Mecklenburg , Germany . The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Scott county, where the husband continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits for many years, or until 1887, when he sold his property there and removed to Clay county, taking up his abode on a farm on section 18, Lone Tree township. This was an proved property of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he bought other land, from time to time adding to his holdings, until they aggregated fourteen hundred acres comprised in several farms. Thus with the passing of the years he became one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county and his success was attributable entirely to his own labors, his sound judgment, his judicious investments and his unabating energy. In all of his business dealings he was thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transaction. He died here about 1897, while his wife survived him and passed away in 1901, Clay county thus losing two of its representative and valued citizens.
Rudolph Moeller was reared upon the old home farm in Scott county and in order to obtain an education attended the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. During the periods of vacation he was employed at farm labor on the old homestead and after he had completed his education worked with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated in Clay county. In order to have a home of his own he then rented his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for a few years as a renter, after which he purchased a tract of one hundred sixty acres that was largely undeveloped and unimproved. Resolutely he set himself to the arduous task of developing a new farm, breaking the sod, harrowing the fields and planting the seed which in due course of time brought forth abundant harvests. Substantial improvements have been made as the years have passed, including the erection of a pleasant residence, two good barns and commodious sheds and other outbuildings, so that stock and grain are amply protected from inclement weather. He has built many rods of fence, has set out a grove and adorned the lawn with evergreen and other ornamental trees. An orchard of his own planting is now in bearing and all of the features of a model farm property are here to be seen, while an air of neatness and thrift pervades the entire place. Mr. Moeller bought eighty acres adjoining his original tract and he and his brother also own one hundred and sixty acres in another farm. His business interests likewise include stock in the Moneta Bank and in the Farmers Elevator at Moneta. Up to his retirement he engaged in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of fine hogs. His success placed him among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lone Tree township.
Mr. Moeller was married in Clay county to Miss Emma Brogeman, who was born in Scott county and was reared and educated there. They began their domestic life upon the farm and early in 1909 retired to Everly, where they live in one of the many fines homes of that pretty village. Unto them have been born three children: Carl, who is now a student in the Cedar Rapids Business College ; Ella, who has been well educated and is now a teacher in the old home school; and Walter, a lad of eleven years, attending school. They also lost a son, Albert, who died in his second year.
In his political views Mr. Moeller is a democrat, somewhat active and influential in the local ranks of the party. He has served as road boss several years being again and again elected to the office. He has now filled the position ten consecutive years and was reelected in the fall of 1908. He has also been township clerk and in matters of citizenship is progressive and public spirited. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and attend the Everly German Lutheran church. Mr. Moeller is a member of the Modern Woodsmen camp and also of the Yeomen lodge at Moneta. A resident of the county for more than twenty-two years, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high pace in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
Source: History of Clay County, Iowa, by Samuel Gillespie and James E. Steele. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1909.
Interment in Lone Tree cemetery
Clay Biographies maintained by Kris Meyer.
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