My Genealogy Hound

Peter William Iven, a dealer in general merchandise at Owen’s Mills, Osage County, was born in 1848, at Loose Creek, Osage County, and is a son of Peter and Ann Gertrude (Muenks) Iven, both natives of Prussia, Germany, and born respectively in 1814 and 1824. Peter Iven immigrated to the United States in 1842, and his wife in 1841. They were married April 8, 1844, at Jefferson City, Mo., and first located in Cole County, but in 1848 removed to Osage County, locating at Loose Creek. Peter Iven was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed the greater part of his life. Mrs. Iven died September 29, 1873, the mother of the following children: Catherine (wife of Theodore Angenendt), John H., Peter W., Mathias, Cecelia (wife of John Liebeton), P. Jacob, Gerhardt, Mary M. (wife of T. G. Nilges), Bettie (wife of Peter Kaullen), Caroline (deceased), Anna C. (wife of Ferdinand Bohem), Emma (deceased), Henry and Frank. Mr. Iven afterward married Lena Pointer, by whom he had two children, only one of whom is living, Peter. Mr. Iven died May 15, 1876. His widow is also dead now. Peter William Iven engaged in the pursuit of farming until twenty-five years of age, also working with his father in the blacksmith shop. The following five years he was employed on public works, and subsequently engaged in clerking about the same length of time, being employed by August Boeger fifteen months, and in the general store of Henry Schroeder two and a half years. In 1878 Mr. Iven married Mary Ann Boehm, who was born in Osage County, Mo., in 1855, and is a daughter of John Boehm. They have four children: S. Catherine, John Peter Jacob, Gertrude and Ann (twins). After marriage Mr. Iven engaged in merchandising and farming at Surprise Post office, five miles east of Linn, where he owned 252 acres of land. In December, 1883, he commenced merchandising at Owen’s Mills, where he has since been located. In connection with his store he cultivates a farm of 692 acres on the Gasconade River, which is one of the best farms on the river. He carries a good stock of general merchandise, his sales averaging from $8,000 to $10,000 per year. He is a Republican in politics, and served as postmaster of Surprise Post office, and three years in the same capacity at Owen’s Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Iven are Roman Catholics.