Nicholas P. Nicks b. March 4, 1858-

NICKS, KIEFER, FROMMELT, CONZETT

Posted By: Judi Nicks (email)
Date: 4/10/2007 at 00:39:21

Nicholas P. Nicks

Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, 1894 Reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, Massachusetts, p. 144

NICHOLAS P. NICKS, a contractor and builder, was born in Dubuque, on the 4th of March 1858, and has spent his entire life in his native city, where he is now widely and favorably known. The family is of German origin. The father of our subject, Peter Nicks, is a native of Luxemburg, Germany. In 1850 he bade adieu to the friends and home of his earlier years and sailed for the New World, taking up his residence in Dubuque, Iowa, where lie has now made his home for forty-four years. He has now reached the age of sixty-two and still makes his home in this city. His wife, who bore the name of Catherine Kiefer, is also a native of Germany.

Under the parental roof Nicholas P. Nicks was reared to manhood and in the public schools acquired his literary education. He afterwards pursued a commercial course in the Bayless Business College of this city, and at the age of seventeen he began to earn his own livelihood, since which time he has been dependent on his own resources. He commenced learning the carpenter's trade and after he had mastered the business he worked as a journeyman for some time. In 1882 he began business for himself as a con tractor and builder and has carried on operations along that line continuously since. He is an expert workman, always faithfully lives up to his part of the contract, and by fair and honest dealing and courteous treatment of his patrons he has succeeded in building up a good business. Many of the important buildings of the city were erected under his supervision, including the residences of C. L. Lesure, L. Bissell, Nicholas Glab, O. Glab, Thomas Connelly and Mrs. F. Thomas. He was also the architect and builder of the F. Mr. Hoffman Block, the H. B. Glover & Co. Block, the Page House, and many other of the substantial structures of the city.

In 1881 Mr. Nicks was united in marriage with Miss Mary Frommelt, of Dubuque. They reside at 2279 Jackson Street, and their home has been blessed by the presence of three children, two sons and a daughter, namely: Peter, Josephine and Grover A.

Mr. Nicks takes quite an active interest in political affairs, keeps well informed on the issues of the day and is a stalwart advocate of the men and measures of the Democracy. In 1892 he was elected Alderman of the city from the Fifth Ward, and for one term efficiently served in that capacity. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen, in whom the best interests of the community find a friend, and all who know him esteem him highly for his strict integrity and sterling worth. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.