COLD, Peter Frederick

COLD, NIEMAN

Posted By: Annette Lucas (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 08:30:53

SOURCE: Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa; W. S. Dunbar & Co., Publishers, 1889

PETER FREDERICK COLD, a native of North Germany, born May 12, 1852, is a son of Ferdinand and Johannah Cold. When he was four years old his parents emigrated to America and settled in Clinton County, where he was reared and spent his early life. He attended the common schools of Alliance, and afterward the seminary of the same place. When he had reached his majority he entered Clinton College, which be attended for three years. Although reared to farm life, after his college course he engaged with Reiff & Berhus as clerk in the town of Bryant. He remained here but a short time before he was transferred to Preston. He remained with this firm five years, when the stock was destined by fire. After closing up the business for the firm, he took a trip to Europe and spent five months visiting in France, Germany and Denmark. After his return to America he engaged immediately with Comstock & Woods as clerk in a general stock of merchandise at Lost Nation, Iowa. He remained in the employ of this firm for a year and a half, when he returned to Preston and spent one winter. In the spring of 1881 he came to Shelby County and located at Irwin, which was then in its infancy. Here he opened a general stock of merchandise, and conducted the business until May, 1887; he then disposed of the stock to Paul & Allen, and engaged in stock-raising and shipping. Besides his large interests in live-stock, he deals extensively in real-estate, owning at present 380 acres of land in Shelby County, besides town property, town lots and 280 acres of land in Nebraska. Mr. Cold is a live, energetic man, and stands to-day in the front ranks of Shelby County's prosperous citizens. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He was married April 22, 1883, to Miss Augusta Nieman, a daughter of H. A. and Dora Nieman. Mrs. Cold was born December 22, 1866. They are the parents of two children — Otto H. and Bertha E. D. Mr. and Mrs. Cold are members of the Lutheran church, and are among Shelby County's most respected citizens.