NEFF, David

NEFF, MUELLER, WEISS, REUBER, KEIBLER, BARKER

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 23:28:55

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

DAVID NEFF.

David Neff, one of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of Clint county, now living in the village of Calamus, is a native of Switzerland, born December 30, 1829, a son of John Jacob and Anna (Mueller) Neff, both of whom were also natives of the land of the Alps, and came to America with their son David. The mother died in Scott county, Iowa, and the father in this county, passing away at the age of seventy-one years, while his wife died at the age of fifty.

David Neff was their only child who came to the United States, his brother dying in Switzerland. Reared and educated in that country, when twenty-three years of age David Neff came to the new world, landing at New Orleans in 1853. He then made his way up the Mississippi river to Davenport, Iowa, and entered land in Scott county at a dollar and a quarter per acre. There he resided until the spring of 1867, when he removed with his family to Berlin township, Clinton county, and became identified with the agricultural interests of this portion of the state. He first engaged in the operation of one hundred acres of land, but now owns a valuable tract of three hundred acres. Nearly all of this was wild land when it came into his possession, but with determined energy he began to reclaim it for purposes of cultivation and soon transformed it into highly improved fields, yielding excellent harvests. He erected a large and substantial frame residence and other buildings and made a good home for himself and family. He followed general farming and stock raising with excellent success, and as the years passed added continually to his income until, having acquired a handsome competence, he retired from business life, and on the 18th of March, 1901m took up his abode in the village of Calamus, where he now makes his home.

Mr. Neff was married in 1859, to Miss Mary Katherine Weiss, a native of Germany, and unto them have been born eight children, six of whom are now living: John William, who owns and operates eighty acres of land in Berlin township, is married and has two son, Howard and Bernard. Anna Catherine is the wife of George Reuber, of Olin township, and they have three children, Ruth, Ernest and Margaret Maria. David, who resides on the homestead farm in Berlin township and is extensively engaged in stock raising, married Agnes Keibler. Franklin is living with his brother David. Paul is at home. Martin is employed on he farm owned by his brother John. Those who have passed away are David, who died in infancy; and Mary, who died at the age of three years and eight months. The two eldest children were born in Scott county, while the others are natives of Clinton county, and all were educated in the schools of the district in which they resided. Mrs. Neff has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. She is a daughter of George Frederick and Mary Katherine (Barker) Weiss, who came to the United States in 1855. The mother died soon after her arrival. The father engaged in farming in Scott county, Iowa, for many years, and ultimately removed to Kansas, where he died at the age of eighty.

Mr. Neff has held the office of school director in Berlin township, and has taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare and progress. He belongs to the German Methodist Society. He has always been a hard-working man, energetic and determined, and he well deserves the prosperity which crowns his efforts. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to make America his home, for in this country he has found the opportunities he sought. Willing and anxious to work if labor could bring a just return, he was for many years a leading representative of farming interests, and is now living in honorable and well-deserved retirement.