Mersch, Nicholas

FRANK, RUMMELL, KNITTEL, FITHKELTER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/21/2009 at 10:47:19

Nicholas Mersch, a well known horse dealer and liveryman of Readlyn, is a native of Bremer county, born in Dayton township, March 18, 1861. His parents, Nicklaus and Mary (Frank) Mersch, were natives of Luxemburg, Germany, and both died in Dayton township, the mother passing away in October, 1904, and the father in January, 1905. Their marriage occurred in Minnesota and they came afterward to Bremer county among the pioneer settlers. Thirteen children were born to their union; Peter, who makes his home in Kansas; John, of Readlyn; Mrs. Anna Rummell, of Franklin township; Nicholas, of this review; Faulton, deceased' Mrs. Mary Rummell, of Dayton township; Daniel, of South Dakota; Joseph, a resident of the same state; Henry, of Franklin township; Dominick, whose home is in Readlyn; Charles of South Dakota; Theodore; and a daughter who died in infancy.

Nicholas Mersch grew to manhood in Dayton township and acquired his education in the district schools. After beginning his active career he followed farming and stock-raising and also drilled wells for a number of years. On the 26th of March, 1905, he came to Readlyn and established himself in the livery business, with which he has since been connected. In addition to this he buys and sells all kinds of horses and has been very successful along both lines of his activities, controlling today a representative and growing patronage. He owns one hundred acres of land in Oran township, Fayette county, and fifty-seven acres in Dayton township, this county, there being substantial buildings and all modern improvements on the former tract. In addition to this, Mr. Mersch has his livery barn in Readlyn and a well furnished home.

On the 3d of May, 1905, Mr. Mersch was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Knittel, a native of Dubuque county, born March 28, 1871. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Fithkelter) Knittel, the former of whom was born in Swabia, Germany, March 4, 1838, and the latter in Dubuque county, Iowa. They were among the early settlers in Bremer county, taking up their residence here in 1872, and the town of Knittel was named in honor of the father. In Franklin township, John Knittel carried on general farming for a number of years and also operated a general merchandise store at Knittel. He had seven children: Louis, who was born May 18, 1862, and who is now president and manager of the Waterloo Fruit Company of Waterloo; Emma, deceased; John, who was born December 24, 1868, and who is engaged in the plumbing business in San Francisco, California; Mrs. Mersch, wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Isadore Mersch, who was born September 28, 1876 and is now a resident of Readlyn; George, who was born October 24, 1879, and is now a traveling salesman with headquarters in Waterloo; and Frank, a plumber of San Francisco, California. Mr. and Mrs. Mersch have become the parents of two daughters: Gladys Dorothea, born June 16, 1906; and Daphine Marguerite, born August 18, 1909.

Mr. Mersch is a member of the Catholic church and a democrat in his political views. His attention is given chiefly to his business affairs and in these he has met with constantly increasing success, standing today among the leading business men of Readlyn.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914