Nicholas B. Even, b. 27 Sep 1865

EVEN, ARENSDORF, HINGTGEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 18:48:22

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910, pages 357-358.
Biographical Sketches

NICHOLAS B. EVEN.

Nicholas B. Even, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in Prairie Spring township, where he owns a tract of two hundred and ninety-nine acres, was born in Tete des Morts township, this county, September 27, 1865. His father, John Even, was a native of Luxemburg and in 1850 emigrated to America, settling in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, Iowa, where he secured work upon a farm. Later he bought some land, and in its further cultivation and improvement his years were busily spent until his death, January 23, 1885. After coming to this county he was married in St. Donatus to Miss Mary Arensdorf, likewise a native of Luxemburg, who survived him just fifteen years, her death occurring January 23, 1900. In their family were six children.

When of suitable age Nicholas B. Even entered the district schools of Tete des Morts township to acquaint himself with the branches of learning which usually constitute the public school curriculum, and at the same time he assisted, his father with the work in the fields, in this way obtaining a practical experience which was of value to him when he undertook the management of the home farm. He made it his place of residence continuously until 1900, save for the year of 1890, which was spent in Nebraska, and remained with his mother throughout her life.

After the death of his father he bought the interests of the other heirs in the property, but after his mother's death he sold the place and bought the farm on which he now lives. It embraces two hundred and ninetynine acres, lying on sections 26, 27, 22 and 23, Prairie Spring township, and upon it Mr. Even has made improvements which indicate his careful supervision and progressive methods. Aside from producing general crops, such as hay and the various kinds of grain, he pays considerable attention to stock raising and feeds cattle and hogs quite extensively. He is industrious, diligent and progressive in the conduct of his farming interests and is meeting with a deserved success in his business.

On the 3d of February, 1892, Mr. Even wedded Miss Susan Hingtgen, a daughter of Theodore Hingtgen, who was a native of Luxemburg, and on emigrating to this country took up his residence in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, Iowa. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Even, named as follows: Mary, Matt, Maggie, Lena, Francis, Annie, Christina, Martha and Sophia, all at home.

The parents are members of the Holy Rosary Catholic church of Lamotte and are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside, their many good qualities having won for them the friendship and confidence of those who know them. Mr. Even is a democrat in his political views and is now serving his first term as assessor of the township. He is also a school director in the Luxemburg independent district. He is well known in this county, where his entire life has been passed, and enjoys the unqualified respect of those who have come to know him intimately, for not only has he won success along honorable lines of business, but he has evinced a commendable public spirit and a desire to promote the welfare of the community.