IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

C. P. Nierling

 

A native of Allamakee county, C. P. Nierling was born on December 16, 1867, upon the farm of two hundred and ten acres on sections 27, 28 and 33, French Creek township, which he now owns. He is one of the substantial agriculturists of his locality, and what he has achieved is largely due to his progressive methods and the industry and energy, which he has expended in the development of the property. His father was Anton Nierling, a native of Germany, who with his parents emigrated to America as a young man, after having served three years in the German army. He was born on the river Rhine in 1826, and after his arrival in America, in about the year 1849, located in Lansing, where he lived for three years, after which he settled on Lansing Ridge, going two years later to French Creek township. He was a miller by trade and followed that occupation in the fatherland for several years, but upon coming to Iowa took up agricultural labors. Acquiring title to a tract of wild land of two hundred and sixty acres, he settled thereon, devoting his energies to clearing the land, breaking the soil and placing his acres under cultivation. He erected substantial buildings upon his land and continued in his pursuits with ever increasing success until his death, which occurred upon his farm in 1888, at the age of sixty-two years. He married in Lansing, Iowa, Miss Mary Anna Buck, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who survived him for a number of years, passing away in Waukon, in 1902, at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were ten children: J.J., of Jamestown, North Dakota; Mrs. M. Tillmony, of Ledyard, Iowa; Mrs. L.T. Tillmony, of Wells, Minnesota; Carrie M., of Ledyard, Iowa; Mrs. W. H. Kerndt, of Allamakee county; Herman, who died at the age of seven years; C.P., our subject; H. G., of Jamestown, North Dakota; A. T., a prominent banker and business man of Waukon, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work; and W. F., of Algona, Iowa.

C.P. Nierling was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools of the neighborhood. He early began to assist his father in the work of the home farm, acquiring through methods of operation, and ten years after the father's death acquired the interests of the other heirs and now owns two hundred and ten acres of well improved land. The buildings are modern and up-to-date and perfectly suited for their purpose, while he has installed the most modern machinery in order to facilitate labor and improve the yield of his crops. As the years have passed Mr. Nierling has become recognized as one of the most substantial agriculturists of his district, and his success is well merited, as it is the outcome of close application, augmented by progressive methods.

Mr. Nierling was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Keffler, a native of Allamakee county, by whom he had two children, Irene and Meta. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Melinda Smith, and of this union were born seven children: Anton, Myrtle, Viola, Carlton, George, Leona and Arthur. Mr. And Mrs. Nierling are members of the Catholic church, to which they give their helpful support, and in his political faith he is a democrat. He has served for four years as township assessor and for one year as a trustee, discharging his duties in a most satisfactory manner. Highly respected and esteemed, Mr. Nierling enjoys the good-will and confidence of his friends and neighbors for what he has accomplished and also on account of those qualities of mind and character, which have made possible his success.

-transcribed by Jan Miller

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