NYMAN, JOHN

NYMAN, JOHNSON, PEARSON, DERRICKSON, NELSON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/2/2003 at 13:15:47

Biography reproduced from page 476 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Among the many enterprising and progressive citizens that Sweden has contributed to Kossuth county must be numbered John Nyman, who owns a highly improved and cultivated farm of four hundred acres on section 19, Greenwood township. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth and is the only member of his family who emigrated to the United States.

The first twenty-five years in the life of John Nyman were passed in his native country. Upon his arrival in America he first located in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where he remained for four years. In 1884 he came to Kossuth county and purchased eighty acres of land in Greenwood township from the Bruer Brothers, paying thirteen dollars per acre. All of the improvements upon the property consisted of a one-room house. The greater part of his holding was yet unbroken prairie and here Mr. Nyman located with his family and immediately began putting his land under cultivation. In common with the people of his nation he is diligent and thrifty and had soon transformed his place into one of the well cultivated tracts of the township. His unceasing energy, close application and practical methods were substantially rewarded and he was subsequently able to extend the boundaries of his farm until he now holds title to four hundred acres of most fertile land. During the period of his ownership he has wrought a marvelous change in his place, having erected thereon fine, substantial buildings, while he has thoroughly tiled and drained his fields, and annually reaps abundant harvests of a quality that commands the market’s highest prices. Mr. Nyman has every reason to take much satisfaction in his achievements, which have been purchased by long years of unceasing labor and much self-denial, as his interests have never been promoted through the assistance of influential friends. He and his sons, who are still at home, do all of the work connected with the operation of the farm, and that they are active and industrious is evidenced by the well kept appearance of the place, everything manifesting capable supervision and a careful regard for details. In addition to his fine farm, Mr. Nyman is a stockholder and director in both the Lone Rock and Bancroft elevators and he is also president of the Lone Rock Creamery Company.

While residing in Pennsylvania, Mr. Nyman was united in marriage to Miss Emma Christina Johnson, who was also born and reared in Sweden. Their children, all but the eldest of whom have been born in Kossuth county, in order of birth are as follows: Ida, a native of Pennsylvania, the wife of August Pearson; Hannah Christina, who married N. H. Derrickson and resides in the vicinity of Milbank, South Dakota; Laura, the wife of John Nelson, a farmer of Greenwood township, this county; George W., who is at home; Ellen Aldena and John A., both of whom are teaching in the home district; James P., who attends the State Agricultural College; Carl Reuben, who is going to high school at Bancroft; and Esther, Emma Elizabeth, Lillian Matilda and Edna Alfreda, all of whom are attending school.

The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in the faith of which they have reared their family, and Mr. Nyman holds the office of deacon. He gave his political support to the republican party and has discharged the duties of both trustee and school director in Greenwood township. Mr. Nyman is one of the citizens of Kossuth county, whose successful achievements substantially prove that prosperity is the result of intelligently directed effort and determination of purpose, as he began his career in this country without capital and with practically no knowledge of the language or customs of the nation, and while the struggle has been long and hard and at times most discouraging, he has attained the goal.