NISH, John

NISH, MCGEOCH, HAMILTON, MCDOWELL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 03:57:35

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 241-42. Chicago. 1915.

JOHN NISH

John Nish, who was an efficient and well known farmer of Franklin township, was born on the 1st of December, 1834, in Scotland, a son of William and Grace (McGeoch) Nish, both natives of that country. When sixteen, years of age our subject accompanied his father to the United States and they located in Auburn, New York, where they were joined a year later by the mother and the other children. After a few years the family removed to McHenry county, Illinois, and there they continued to reside until all of the children reached maturity. Subsequently the parents became residents of Lake county, Illinois, where both passed away, the demise of the mother occurring in 1890, when she was seventy-five years of age, and that of the father in 1900. They were the parents of twelve children.

In 1878 John Nish came to Decatur county and purchased one hundred acres of excellent land on section 1, Franklin township. He was characterized by unremitting industry and excellent judgment and his farm became one of the best improved properties of his locality. He erected fine buildings and secured the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In all that he did he was progressive and also practical and he received a gratifying income from his land.

M. Nish was married on the 21st of March, 1878, to Mrs. Mary (Hamilton) McDowell, a daughter of Thomas Hamilton and a native of Scotland. She was brought to the United States by her parents when but five years of age and the family home was established in Chicago, where both her father and mother passed away. They were the parents of five children, of whom three daughters survive. Mrs. Nish had three children by her first husband and by her marriage to our subject became the mother of seven children, namely: John Hamilton, who was born January 1, 1879, and who is operating the homestead in partnership with his brother, Eugene David; Charles Edgar, who died in infancy; Eugene David, who was born October 5, 1883; William Thomas, of Des Moines, born January 20, 1886, who is with the Great Western Railroad Company and who is married and has one child; Mary Grace, who was born July 23, 1888; May (sic, should be Mae) Marguerite, who was born August 20, 1891, and is teaching in this county; and Jessie Florence, who was born May 1, 1894, and who is also a teacher.

Mr. Nish was a republican and took a keen interest in everything relating to the public welfare although he never sought official preferment. He was well educated; was an omnivorous reader and was especially concerned for the advancement of the public schools. He served as a member of the school board for a number of years and was also president of that body, doing much in an official capacity to secure improvements in the local schools. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and his family are still active in the work of that organization. He was a man of unswerving integrity and of much force of character and all who came in contact with him esteemed him highly. His demise, which occurred on the 8th of August, 1910, was the occasion of sincere regret and his many friends still cherish his memory.

NOTE: John Nish died August 7, 1910. Mary (Hamilton) McDowell Nish was born on March 12, 1852, and died January 17, 1932. Mae Marguerite, who was born August 20, 1891, and died in 1946. They were interred at Garden Grove Cemetery, Garden Grove IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014