Paul Paulsen was about five years of age when the family embarked upon their journey to this country, so that all his training for the responsibilities of life has been obtained in this state, at home and in the common schools where he was a pupil. He worked upon the farm belonging to his stepfather throughout the period of his youth, and when he reached man's estate he was taken into partnership by Mr. Holst. Together they operated the place until February, 1903, when Mr. Paulsen married and started out in life for himself. Then he purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Scotch Grove township, and has made his home thereon ever since. It was formerly known as the Alex Sutherland farm, and was only partially improved, but since it has come into his possession Mr. Paulsen has carried on the work of development and improvement with a vigor that is characteristic of him until it is now one of the highly cultivated and finely improved tracts. in Jones county. Successful in his undertakings beyond the ordinary, he has risen to a substantial position in the community, a fact which is indicated by the large shares of stock he holds in the Lovell State Bank of Monticello and in the Onslow Savings Bank.

On the 10th of February, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Paulsen and Miss Mary Eckelberg, of Jackson county, Iowa. Her father is John Eckelberg, who was for many years one of the prominent farmers of that county and is now living in retirement at Spragueville, Jackson county. Six children have been born of this union: Alvina, Paul, Jr., Edward, John, Harry and Emil. They are all at home and are being reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church, that being the creed to which Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen give their religious allegiance. Since he was admitted to the ranks of the citizens of this republic Mr. Paulsen has voted the democratic ticket, finding himself in greater accord with the principles promulgated by that party, He has had no desire to enter the arena of public life, however, although his success, the strong qualities of character upon which it has been reared and the wide influence he has exercised in his community as a result of a good life well lived, would naturally suggest him to his fellows as a man worthy and capable of administering any trust with which the people might care to honor him.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 304.

As Peter H. Paulsen was but two years old when his mother came to this country, he has virtually passed all of his life in this state. From the common schools of Clinton county he obtained his fundamental training for the practical duties of life, while at home on the farm he became initiated into the work of agriculture. Even after he reached his manhood he remained in the employ of his stepfather and it was not until 1899 that he began his career as a farmer, In that year he bought the place on which he now lives--a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres. In the intervening years since its purchase and the present Mr. Paulsen has added many improvements which have increased its value manifold. For instance, he has tiled the land and built one of the modern and commodious houses which are owned by the most prosperous farmers of Jones county. Of an age when a man usually comes into the fullest realization of his powers, the success of the past years should be but an indication of what the future has in store for him if he is most progressive in his ideas - a man who does not believe in standing still, rather in doing things and is always looking for some means whereby he may improve his place and increase the productiveness of the soil. Such ideals combined with the large capacity for toil cannot but bring the most gratifying results.

On the 16th of February, 1899, Mr. Paulsen was married at Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church in Wayne township, to Miss Sophia Catharina Bohlken, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerke H. Bohlken, prominent farming people of Scotch Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen now have five children. Bernhard Nicholas, Agnes Sabina, George Heinrich, Meinhardt Paul and Amanda Christina.

In his political views Mr. Paulsen has consistently supported the democratic party, feeling more in sympathy with the principles annunciated by it than those of any other political organization, but has taken small part in local affairs. With his wife he is a member of the German Lutheran church and the success of his life has not been gained through any violation of its teachings.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 349.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 595.

Joseph Pawelka occupies one of the fine homes of Oxford Junction and is known as one of the progressive citizens of his part of the county, as loyal to public interests and the general welfare as he was to the old flag when in the fortunes of war he followed the stars and stripes upon southern, battlefields. He was born in Bohemia, January 13, 1843, and was a youth of eleven years when he came to Jones county, Iowa, with his parents Wensel and Katharine Pawelka. The father preempted forty acres of land on section II, Oxford township, in the year of his arrival. The family took up their abode upon that farm, which through the efforts of the father was converted into a rich and productive tract of land. He spent his remaining days thereon, while his widow died at the home of a daughter in Tama county, Iowa. By a former marriage the father had four children, and by the second union there were three children: Joseph; Antone, deceased; and Annie, the wife of John Dolize, of Tama county, Iowa.

Joseph Pawelka spent the first eleven years of his life in the land of his nativity and on the 13th of September, 1854, arrived at Iowa City in company with his parents. Soon afterward he took up his abode on what became the family homestead in Oxford township, Jones county, and remained with his father for a short time, but later began to work for Solomon Pence in Wyoming township, in whose employ he remained for eight years. He was afterward in the services of different men until he enlisted in the Civil war, being enrolled among the boys in blue on the 13th of September, 1861. He was one of the first three years' men from this district. He joined Company I, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for one year and nine months, when he was honorably discharged, having had his ankle crushed by an ambulance. He was transferred from one hospital to another, owing to the outbreak of typhoid fever. He took part in the battle of Little Rock, Arkansas, and in Sherman's charge at Vicksburg and the campaign of the Yazoo river. Being taken ill he was sent to the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, and was at length discharged at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. He then returned home but was laid up for a year with his injured ankle. He afterward engaged in threshing for two years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Oxford township. This he improved, residing on it until 1904 when he came to his present home in Oxford Junction. In the years which he devoted to general agricultural pursuits he met with substantial success, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, his energy and diligence being the chief factors in his prosperity. On coming to Oxford Junction he erected a fine residence, one of the most attractive homes of the town. He has now retired from active business but is a stockholder in the Oxford Junction Savings Bank.

It was in 1863 that Mr. Pawelka was united in marriage to Miss Delia Morivick, who was born in Bohemia, May 4, 1845, and in December, 1854, came with her parents, John and Barbara Morivick to the United States, the family home being established in Jackson county, Iowa, where both her father and mother passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pawelka have been born four children: Joseph, now living in Hale township; Frank, whose home is in Oxford township; Annie, the wife of Henry Shimerada of Oxford township; and Emanuel, at home. They also lost four children: John, who died in infancy; Fannie, at the age of three years; and Eddie, at the age of six years; and Eddie, the second of that name. Mr. Pawelka holds membership in the Grand Army post at Oxford Junction. When he was enrolled his name was placed on the records as Joseph Pawelker, but he prefers to retain the original Bohemian spelling. He was a most loyal defender of the stars and stripes and at all times has been a faithful citizen, devoted to the best interests of his adopted country.

Earnest, persistent labor brought him success, and he is now living retired in the enjoyment of rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 141.