Biographical Sketches
Otto Murschel
As an old settler of Valley county, Nebraska, an agriculturist of untiring energy and perseverance, and worthy citizen, the gentleman here named needs no introduction to the people of his locality. He has spent over twenty-four years of his life in their midst, has gained a host of staunch friends and incidentally acquired a good home, and placed himself in a position to be counted among the substantial citizens of this region.
Mr. Murschel was born in Iowa City, Iowa, April 2, 1868, and was fourth of five children in the family of John G. and Charlotte (Doll) Murschel, who had three sons and two daughters. The parents died in Iowa City, both passing away in the year 1899, survived by four of their children: Albert Murschel, who lives in New York City; George J. lives in Santa Clara, California; and Emma, now Mrs. Emma K. Ahrens, resides in Iowa City, Iowa.
Otto Murschel, the principal subject of this sketch, lived in Iowa City until attaining the age of eighteen years. He received the usual schooling, and in his eighteenth year left his Iowa home, going to Omaha, Nebraska, remaining there for six years. Mr. Murschel, prior to his eighteenth year, worked in a drug store, and when in Omaha was connected with the barber trade. In his twenty-fourth year he returned to Iowa to attend business college in Iowa City, and took a commercial course there for one year, returning to Omaha when he had completed same. Shortly after, on May 10, 1893, he came to Ord, Valley county, taking up his occupation as barber. He then engaged in the restaurant and bakery business, in which he continued unil the fall of 1909.
Mr. Murschel, during his residence in Ord, has been actively connected with the democratic party, and also actively engaged in the upbuilding or Ord and also of Valley county, and is a young man progressive along all helpful lines. He was a member of the city council in 1902, served as city clerk of Ord in 1903, and creditably filled the important office of mayor for a period of three years, taking the chair in 1904. In 1906 he was a candidate for county treasurer, and defeated. In the fall of 1909, he was nominated by his party for county clerk, being elected in a republican county, and is the only county official of democratic faith.
Mr. Murschel was united in marriage in Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 3, 1895, to Miss Anna Hansen, who is a native of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Murschel has always stood for progressive, modern improvements in city affairs.
Source: Transcription from the book, Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, published in 1912; located on the website, Internet Archive (http://archive.org), accessed 14 December 2025.
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