NAUMAN, Henry 1827-1899
NAUMAN, HILLER, STILLER
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/10/2014 at 23:22:40
[Waterloo Daily Courier, Friday, April 7, 1899, Waterloo, Iowa]
One of Waterloo's best citizens— Henry Nauman —is dead. The final summons came at 10:10 o'clock last night as he was surrounded by the members of his family and a few friends who had known him through the many years of usefulness here. The cause of death was a paralytic stroke which occurred last Thursday, just a week ago, since which time Mr. Nauman gradually grew weaker until the last spark of life went out. Once before in the latter part of last May, he was similarly stricken, and since that time had not been in good physical condition.
Waterloo has probably never fully appreciated the worth of Henry Nauman, so quietly yet so thoughtfully and effectively has all his work been done. No one better than his partner in business for thirty-five years and his friend for a still longer period—George P. Beck—knows of the real goodness and his true value. "I consider him always a mode! man," said Mr. Beck this morning. "Upright and honest in everything I ever knew him to do, ho was true to everyone he met in whatever relation. I do not believe Waterloo ever had a better citizen. He always thought for the best. During periods of adversity through which, we passed he was always seeing the brightest side.aml during the thirty-five years in which we have been associated In business I have always found him the best of men to get along with and to consult on whatever matter might present itself.
"I remember well the first time met him. I was a young man of 22 and he was five years my senior. We were working for Charles Mullan at the time, he doing plowing and other farm work at 75 cents a day, while I was chopping wood. He came to me and expressed his sympathy that I had blistered my hands while doing the work and from that time till now we have been the warmest of friends. A short time after this incident he discovered that I could speak German, and seemed much relieved because that was his native tongue, and our conversations were thereafter much more enjoyed. I have been intimately acquainted with him from that first meeting till now, and last night when he breathed his last it was his friend from boyhood that watched with the bereaved family."
Mr. Nauman was born on Christmas Day, 1827, at Gosfelden Kries, Marburg. Hessen, Germany. His early life was spent in his native country, but in 1851, leaving family and friends behind, he came to America to try his fortune in the new west. The first 18 months were spent at Strickersville, twenty miles east of Buffalo, in Erie County. New York. October 24, 1855, he came to Waterloo, and this has ever since been his home. Soon after coming here be engaged in a variety of work, as stated, his first-employer being Charles Mullan, Sr., and after that he worked for other parties in Waterloo till engaging in business for himself.
The firm of Beck & Nauman was organized in 1864, being one of the pioneer concerns of Blackhawk County. The Beck. Nauman & Watts Co. was incorporated under the name of the Daniel & Nauman Co. March 15, 1884, with a paid-up capital stock of $72,000. The original members were Henry Daniel, S. V. R. Slade. Henry Nauman, George P. Beck, T. M. Watts, Wm. Thrower. H. T. Roberts and August Ebel. This company was the consolidation of the firms of Beck & Nauman and Daniel, Slade & Co., and continued as organized until 1887, when, in succession the interests of Messrs. Slade, Roberts. Thrower anil Ebel and the Daniel estate were transferred to Messrs Beck, Nauman and Watts. The company remained thus until September, 1898, when the interests ot Mr. Watts were purchased by Geo. P. Beck, jr.
Three times in its history the company has sustained severe losses by fire—but each time the property destroyed has been replaced with better, and greater success has followed these improvements. The first disastrous fire occurred March 16, 1872, when, the loss reached $6,000. The second fire occurred January 6, 1888, when $30,000 worth of property went up in smoke. The last of the three conflagrations occurred on the morning of June 3, 1898.
During the many years Mr. Nauman has been an employer in Waterloo, he has always been highly esteemed by the large number of men at work in whatever capacity. By no one has his character been better recognized than by them.
Mr. Nauman was twice honored by the people of the First ward by being elected as their representative in the city council, first in 1869 and again in 1877. He has held several places of trust in local associations and has always been considered a man thoroughly trustworthy.
Mr. Nauman was married June 2. 1859, to Miss Rosina Hiller, who with five children survive. The latter are Mrs. L. C. Stiller, C. H. Nauman, F. L. Nauman and G. W. Nauman, of Waterloo, and W. B. Nauman, of Charles City. One sister and brother are living in Germany. Two brothers, John and Charles, died in this city, the former in 1800, and the latter November 1, 1898.
Mr. Nauman was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and for thirty years has held the office of treasurer of the German Aid society. He has long been a valued member of the First Baptist Church of this city.
Arrangements have been made to hold tho funeral services at The First Baptist Church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The pall bearers selected are C. W. Tuft. G. V. Fowler, Edwin Meslck, A. J. Edwards, I. C. Munger and K. B. Smith.
Friends who desire to view the remains will call at the home, N. 227 Washington Street between the hours of 10 and 12 on Sunday.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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