Jarrett Nugen Jarrett Nugen, a farmer residing on section 36, New London Township, is a pioneer of 1840. He has several well-improved farms, aggregating 595 acres, and his post office is New London. Mr. Nugen is a native of Virginia, and was born in Kanawha County, now in West Virginia, in February, 1813. His parents were also natives of Virginia. His father, John Nugen, Sr., was born near Richmond, Va., in 1775, of Irish parents, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He was married in Kanawha County, Va., to Miss Mary C. Lee. They were the parents of sixteen children, thirteen of whom grew to man and womanhood; and four sons - David, Jarrett, Charles and Silas - came to Iowa, and settled in New London Township, Henry County; Charles came in 1838, Jarrett and David in 1840 and Silas in 1855. Of these David and Jarrett are still residents of this county, are wealthy, and large land owners. Silas resides in Dakota Territory, and Charles is now deceased. The family are remarkable for their longevity, there being now living eleven of the twelve children who reached maturity. The oldest was born in 1804, and is now 83 years of age; the youngest is 57 years old. John Nugen, Sr., emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky and a few years later to Wayne County, Ind., in 1818. He continued to reside in that county, engaged in farming, until his death, which occurred in 1859. His wife was of an old Virginia family of Colonial times. Her father served through the Revolutionary War as a soldier of the Continental army and was a warm patriot. Jarrett Nugen, our subject, was reared on his father's farm, and was united in marriage in Wayne County, Ind., March 8, 1838, to Miss Melinda Butler, daughter of Samuel Butler. Mrs. Nugen was born in Wayne County, Ind., and her father was a native of Georgia, emigrating to the former State at an early day. Seven children were born of their union, five sons and two daughters, and five are now living: William H. was born in Des Moines County, Iowa Jan. 6, 1841, and served in the late war as a member of Company K, 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry; he was engaged in the mercantile business at New London for twelve years, four in company with Capt. Richard, and eight by himself, but is now engaged in farming. Mary, born April 6, 1843, is the wife of Gad Lyman, of New London; John Z., born April 25, 1845, married Miss Zora Belle Newell, and resides at New London (see his sketch): Lizzie was born May 28, 1847, and resides with her father; Josephus, born April 27, 1850, died at the age of four; Ellwood died in childhood; the other being an unnamed infant. Mr. Nugen first came to Iowa Oct. 18, 1839, purchasing a claim in Des Moines County, and after a brief stay returned to Indiana. The following year he returned with his family, arriving at their home in Pleasant Grove Township Oct. 8, 1840. On the 2d of March, 1841, he moved to Henry County, and on the 16th of November of that year, he established his permanent home, where he has since resided. Mr. Nugen was a Whig in early life, and since the dissolution of that party has been a Democrat. He is a Master Mason, a member of New London Lodge No. 28, A.F. & A. M. He has been an active business man, and by industry and good management has accumulated a large property, and his character as a man and citizen is above reproach. [Source: pg. 277, "Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States." Chicago: Acme Pub. Co., 1888; transcribed by K. Torp] ©2007 Genealogy Trails