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Shelby County
>> 1889 Index Biographical
History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa N Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. H. A. NIEMAN, a native of Hanover , Germany , born August 24, 1831 , is a son of Christopher and Dora Nieman. His early life was spent in Germany on a farm. He took the regular course in the common schools, which covers a period of eight years, and after that he studied for over a year. In 1854 he came to America and located in Wisconsin , remaining over two years; he then took a trip down the Mississippi River , stopping at all the principal towns, making the longest stays in Davenport , Burlington and Saint Louis ; at the latter place he remained about two years; he continued his trip as far south as Memphis , Tennessee , intending to visit New Orleans , but the yellow fever was infesting the city at that time and he decided not to venture any farther. He then returned to St. Louis and spent two summers in Illinois , about seventy-five miles from St. Louis ; after that he returned to Wisconsin , where he armed one year and then sold out, going to Madison , Wisconsin , where he remained one year or more. In 1875 he moved to Avoca , Iowa , where he worked for Caldwell in his elevator for over two years; from there he went to Walnut, where he engaged in the farming-implement business, in company with his son-in-law, H. C. Hanson, for one year; he then sold out his interest and came to Shelby County , and purchased a farm in Douglas Township, of 100 acres, which was but partially improved. Here he went to work to make himself a farm and a home, which he has done by hones ttoil; he has placed the soil under good cultivation and improved the place till there is none better in the county; he has increased the farm to 240 acres. He has built a beautiful frame residence, with barns for stock and grain, and has planted about one and a half acres of grove, all of which bespeak the wise management and spirit of the owner; he employs his time exclusively in farming and stock-raising. Politically Mr. Nieman is liberal in his views, casting his vote for the man he considers best qualified for the office. He was married December 21, 1861 , to Dora, daughter of Christ and Kate Meyer; she was born in Hanover , Germany , September 24, 1839 , and came to America in 1861. They are the parents of six children - Emma, wife of H. C. Hanson, resides in Nebraska; Augusta H., wife of P. F. Cold, resides in Irwin; Henry W., Lewis F., Julia E., and Willis J. C. are at home. Joseph Newell, deceased, was a man whom Lincoln Township could not well afford to lose. He was a native of the Emerald Isle, born near the city of Belfast, in 1836. When a mere lad his parents, William and Agnes Newell, emigrated from Ireland to America, settling in Canada, near Hamilton. There he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools, and being trained to the duties of a farmer. In 1872 he was married to Miss Isabella E. Tansley, a resident of his neighborhood. Soon after this union they removed to the United States and settled on a farm in Benton County, near Blairstown, Iowa. Mr. Newell opened up a tract of 160 acres of wild land, erected necessary buildings, planted a grove, and put the farm in good shape. He made this his home until 1881, when he removed to Audubon County, having sold out his possessions in Benton County. His first purchase in Audubon County was 320 acres, and later he bought 120 acres, which he afterward sold. It was new land, without improvements, but at the time of Mr. Newell's death, which occurred October 12, 1887, the farm had been developed into one of the most desirable in the community. He was a good judge of live-stock, and took an active interest in the improvement of the breeds. Mr. Newell left a wife and five children to mourn his death. The children are - Samuel J., Josephine, Charles S., Thomas and Henry. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Newell has superintended the farm, and has been very successful in her management of the estate. Mrs. Newell was born in Canada, and is the oldest daughter of Samuel and Annie (Bousfield) Tansley, natives of England. She was educated in her native country, and is a most thorough-going woman. For many years she has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. William
J. Newell,
an active and successful
farmer of Lincoln Township, was born in Canada, near the city of Hamilton,
May 13, 1863. He is the oldest son of six children of William P. and
Sophia (Davidson) Newell. The father was born in Ireland in 1831, and
the mother is a native of Canada, in which country she lived at the
time of her marriage. They continued to reside in that country, William
P. carrying on the shoemaker's trade for many years; he afterward engaged
in farming, and in 1881 the family removed to the United States, and
settled in Audubon County, Iowa, on a farm of 120 acres. William P.
Newell was an enterprising and prosperous farmer up to the time of his
death, which occurred February 12, 1889. His wife died April 23, 1889.
They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living - Louisa
J., wife of John Shinners; Carrie A., wife of L. M. Estes; William J.,
Edward S., Alice M. and Charles H. George, May, and one child unnamed
died in infancy. William J. Newell, the subject of this notice, passed
his youth in the country of his birth, where he received his education
in the common schools. He removed with his parents to Iowa, and remained
under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, when he began
farming and stock-raising on his own account. He was married in 1885
to Miss Jessie E. Somers, the third daughter of William L. and Isabelle
Somers, of Vermont. One child, a son, has been born of this marriage;
his name is George. Mr. Newell moved to his present farm in 1885; it
contains eighty acres of good land, which has been placed under cultivation
and improved by Mr. Newell. He has been very successful in raising and
feeding stock, for the past three years shipping one car-load of cattle
annually besides raising a large number of hogs. In politics he affiliates
with the Republican party. |