NEESSEN, Christ 1864-1944

NEESSEN, PETERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/28/2015 at 09:43:24

Christ Neessen Died Sun. At Wellsburg

Death Came After A Brief Illness; Was Widely Known Throughout The Northwest Portion Of The County

Christ Neessen died at his home in Wellsburg about four o'clock Sunday afternoon following an illness of only a few days from a heart ailment. Due to advanced years he kept quite closely confined to his home during the winter but he had made a few calls upon old friends in town up to a few days before his death. Had he lived until the 26th of next month he would have been 80 years old.

Was Successful Farmer and Business Man

Mr. Neessen was 17 years old when he came from Germany with other members of his family. The family moved on a Colfax township farm after coming here. Christ later bought the Colfax township farm which was the first Neessen homestead in America. His second big business venture was the purchase of 480 acres of land directly north of Wellsburg. The land was purchased from George Wells, who at that time was regarded as the biggest landowner in Iowa. After purchasing the big Wells farm, Mr. Neessen and his family moved there to make it their home. Later two 240-acre farms were made of the large tract of land and the very best of improvements were erected on the two farms. They are among our best improved farms in the county. The two sons now own and occupy the two farms. Mr. Neessen also owned a 240-acre farm five miles northwest of Grundy Center.

Helped Establish a Bank
Mr. Neessen extended his business interests beyond the farm. He helped to organize the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Wellsburg and remained the bank's president during the entire time the bank remained in business. Later when it consolidated with the Wellsburg Savings Bank, he became president of the combined banks and remained at their head until they dissolved.

Built Fine Home in Wellsburg
In 1916 Mr. and Mrs. Neessen built in Wellsburg what was regarded as the finest home in Grundy county. After completion of the new home in 1917, Mr. and Mrs. Neessen moved into it and both remained there until they died. Mrs. Neessen died in 1934.

A Native of Eastfriesland, Germany
Mr. Neessen was born in Holtland, Eastfriesland, Germany, on March 26, 1864. In 1881 with his father and two brothers he came to America. They came direct to Grundy county. The oldest son, Tom Neessen, and the only daughter of the family, who later became Mrs. J. C. Doyen, came to Grundy county from Germany the year before. They liked it here and it was because of that the remaining members of the family came. The mother had died several years before in Germany.

Married in 1890
In 1890 Christ Neessen and Miss Hermina Peters were married by Rev. Dekker in German township. They began housekeeping on a Colfax township farm.

Only one of this progressive family who came here from Germany 66 years ago is now living. He is George Neessen, the youngest of the family, who has been confined to his home for several months. The first to go was the father. He was followed by the oldest son, Tom, and the only daughter, Mrs. J. C. Doyen, and later by Henry Neessen. All resided continually in Colfax and Shiloh townships.

Funeral Services Today
Funeral services will be held this afternoon. At 1:30 there will be a short service at the home and later at the Reformed church in Wellsburg of which the deceased had been a member since its organization and in which he served in an official capacity during the largest portion of his membership. The services will be conducted by Rev. Wm. Landsiedel, who has been Mr. Neessen's pastor and close friend for more than a quarter of a century. Burial will be by the side of the wife in the cemetery adjoining the church.

Surviving members of Mr. Neessen's family are two sons, H. C. and Claus C. Neessen. Two daughters, Dena, who had taken care of her father's home since the death of the mother ten years ago, and the youngest child and daughter, Catherine, wife of Dr. J. G. Masselink of Grand Haven, Michigan. There are three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 17 February 1944, pg 1, 5