John Bernard "Henry" Nurre

NURRE, FEHRING, REIFF, WILMES, FINKE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/13/2013 at 23:42:33

The Nurre Family

From the St. Joseph's Church-Sugar Creek-1855-1890, compiled by Donna Roling, Preston, Iowa

One of the early settlers in Browns was John Bernard "Henry" Nurre. He was born September 28, 1814, and emigrated from Oldenburg, Germany in 1841. After a three month, perilous trip on a sailboat, he landed in America and settled in Cincinnati. Although educated as a teacher, the pioneer spirit and the desire to own land, had Nurre travel to and settle in Browns, Waterford Township, Clinton County, Iowa. After some time, he journeyed back to Cincinnati to marry Mary Fehring, the daughter of Lucas Fehring from Hanover, Germany, and bring her back to the land her loved. Henry and Mary Nurre had three children, Catherine (Reiff), Stephen and Joseph Gerhard Nurre.

Henry Nurre was a successful landowner, and kept acquiring land from the government for $1.25 per acre. Nurre also owned land in Fairfield Township, Jackson County, which adjoins Waterford Township about 1/2 mile north of Browns. After clearing the timberland, Nurre was able to sell the land for $45.00 an acre. Nurre built a ten room limestone house which still stands on property to the north of Old Browns. Later that land was owned by the August, John and Alvi Boehmer, Alvi's sister, Mildred (Wanzek) and their children.

During the summer of 1855, Mary Fehring Nurre, sick with typhoid fever, convinced her husband, Henry, to donate 40 acres to the people of this community, upon which was to be erected a parish church, school and cemetery, which was called St. Joseph's parish in Sugar Creek, Iowa. Mary, herself, selected the spot at the top of the hill, a short distance south of their home. Unfortunately, the cemetery was not there when Mary died, so Henry transported her body, by ox team and wagon, on a three-day trip, to Galena, Il, to be buried in St. Michael's cemetery.

Henry Nurre was married three times during his life, yet he was alone much of the time. His second wife, Anna Adelaide Wilmes, lived only three years after the marriage. Later he married his third wife, Elizabeth Finke, who lived a number of years after his death. Henry Nurre's second wife is buried at Sugar Creek, and his third wife is buried at Schaller, Iowa.

On March 11, 1890, at the age of 76 years, Henry Nurre was murdered in his house. He was found on the kitchen floor, dressed in his chore clothes. The only marks of violence were finger marks on his throat, evidence of him being choked to death. His wife was also found in an unconscious state, with her head battered and nine deep scalp wounds. She regained consciousness nine weeks later, but because of her hazy memory of the gruesome tragedy, she could give no clue, whatsoever, to the mystery. The best detectives in Chicago spent several years on the case, but to this day, the murder still remains a mystery. Henry Nurre is buried in the St. Joseph's cemetery at Sugar Creek, at the entrance of the graveyard, marked by an imposing monument.

Henry Nurre grave
 

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