John R. Muller Biography This biography appears on pages 346-349 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm JOHN R. MULLER. John R. Muller, a well known farmer of Bon Homme county, was born in Cassville, Wisconsin, January 6, 1869, and is a son of William and Mary (Grattan) Muller. His father Was born in Alsace, France, now a part of Germany, May 27, 1837, and was only fourteen years of age when he came to this country in 1851 with his father, William Muller, Sr. The journey was made in a sailing vessel, which was three months in crossing the Atlantic, and after landing in New Orleans they proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where the father worked for a year or so. During this time they were joined by the remainder of the: family. Later they removed to Davenport. Iowa, where William Muller, Jr., was employed as a clerk in a general merchandise store. For some years he continued to work in the north during the summer months, returning to St. Louis each winter. Subsequently he located at Cassville, Wisconsin, where he secured a situation in a store and was thus employed for some time but later turned his attention to farming. In 1873 he came to Dakota territory and deciding to make Bon Homme county his home, he preempted a homestead and also a timber claim, the latter on section 24, township 9:3, range 62, Hancock precinct. The preemption claim was located five miles west of Perkins and the family residence was the first house built between Choteau creek and Springfield on the main stage line and mail route from Sioux City and Yankton to the Black Hills, by way of fort Randall and Fort Pierre. It was therefore natural that travelers should stay over night. at the Muller home and they entertained many who were journeying from the eastern part of the state to the west, or were returning to the east. Their first residence was a log house with a dirt roof but in 1876 a better house was built on the timber claim, the lower story being of sod and the upper story of timber. Still later a good frame house was erected, which remained the family residence until the parents retired in March, 1903, and removed to Tyndall, South Dakota. There Mrs. Muller died in 1908. She was a native of Ireland and accompanied her parents on their emigration to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Grattan first located in St. Louis, Missouri, but afterward removed to Grant county, Wisconsin. Since the death of his wife Mr. Muller has made his home with a son, who resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are still living: William G., who is residing on Choteau creek; Henry A., who was educated at the State Agricultural College at Brookings and the State University at Vermillion, and is now an attorney of Sioux Falls and state referee on banking; Mary, the wife of W. G. Treffry, of Treffry, Idaho; John R., of this review; Katherine, now a teacher in the Minneapolis schools, who attended college at Madison, South Dakota, and at Yankton, and was also graduated from the Springfield Normal School; and Gerald, who was a student at the South Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell and at the State Normal School of Springfield, and was for several years superintendent of the Bon Homme county schools but is now principal of the schools at Emery, South Dakota. During the first years of his residence in Dakota territory, the father endured many hardships and had many unpleasant experiences, but the 12th of January, 1888, is always especially vivid in his memory, as he then narrowly escaped death by freezing. He, with two other men, were west of the river, where they had gone to get hay, and, although they started home as soon as the storm broke, by the time they reached the river the wind was so high that it swept the loaded wagons along the smooth fee of the river down stream and it was impossible to make any headway across the river. The teams were at length unhitched and all started for home, but Mr. Muller, who was ahead on foot, became separated from the others and when he learned that they had gone on without him he sought the best shelter obtainable and succeeded in finding a somewhat protected spot in the gulch, where he tramped back and forth among the scrub oaks for twelve hours, or throughout the night. By morning the storm had abated and he found a trail leading to his home. The determination and physical vitality that enabled him to survive such a night have been strong factors in his success and the material prosperity that he has gained is well merited. He is freely accorded the esteem of his fellow citizens, who honor him as a man of ability and integrity John R. Muller was about six years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Dakota territory. He was reared chiefly in Bon Homme county, where he attended the public schools, and remained with his father upon the home farm until his marriage, being of great assistance in the operation of the homestead. He now owns the northwest quarter of section 24, township 93, range 61, Hancock precinct, and as his land adjoins the town of Perkins it is especially valuable. It is not only favorably located but is also naturally productive and its fertility has been conserved by wise methods of cultivation. Mr. Muller is progressive and alert and uses the latest improved machinery in his farm work, which insures greater efficiency. His crops are excellent and, as he studies the markets carefully, he is able to sell to advantage. His residence is large and supplied with all conveniences and the barn is commodious and is well arranged. There are two immense silos on the place, while a fine grove and orchards further enhance the value of the property. Mr. Muller was married on Christmas Day of 1902, to Miss Julia M. Snow, who was born in Beloit, Wisconsin. Her parents, Charles and Mary (Henry) Snow, came to Dakota territory early in March, 1887, and settled in Bon Homme county. Both passed away in 1908 at Perkins. To Mr. and Mrs. Muller have been born three children: Mary, who died at the age of six months; Alice; and Clara. Mr. Muller is a democrat in his political belief and belongs to Mount Zion Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Springfield.