GEORGE R. NUNN

NUNN, ROBINSON, GORMAN, WENZEL

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/3/2021 at 21:23:32

GEORGE R. NUNN, a highly esteemed citizen, and one of the leading business men of the Gate City, has been a resident here since 1857, since which time he established the business in which he is still engaged, being a manufacturer of stairs, balusters, railings, wood mantels, and all the useful and ornamental work pertaining to this branch of industry. The business is located at No. 314 South Fourth street, and is one of the important manufactories of the city.

The subject of our sketch is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1831, and came to America at the age of seventeen years. After reaching American shores, he proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for ten years, engaged at the business which he still follows, and at which he was then serving his first apprenticeship. His parents were Rev. Nathaniel and Charlotte (Robinson) Nunn, both natives of Ireland. Nathaniel Nunn was a Baptist clergyman, and came with his family to America in 1848. He settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became engaged in missionary work, and where he is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and still occasionally engages in his former pious office. The wife and mother departed this life in 1850. The parental household consisted of five children - Annie, George R., Phillip, Nathaniel and Charlotte. (The latter is a lady of fine literary tastes and more than ordinary ability, being the author of several works, among them one entitled "Ada Greenwood," and another called " Golden Sunbeams.") Phillip was a policeman of Cincinnati, and during the late war enlisted in the service. He went South with his regiment and was wounded at New Hope, Ga., and taken prisoner at Port Republic, Va.. remaining in the hands of the enemy for the space of eight months, but was finally exchanged. He held the rank of First Sergeant, and was afterward promoted Second Lieutenant. In Cincinnati he was accounted one of the most efficient of the police force, and is now retired on account of wounds received in the tunnel of the jail in Cincinnati during the riot of 1884.

George R. Nunn received a classical education in his native land. He worked at his trade in Cincinnati until coming to Keokuk in the fall of 1857, when he established his present business, which he carried on until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he resolved to become a soldier in the service of his adopted country. He accordingly enlisted in Co. H., Sixth Iowa Vol. Inf., remaining in the service nearly three and one-half years. He was mustered in as Second Lieutenant, promoted First Lieutenant, and was afterward commissioned Captain of his company. He was engaged with his regiment in all the campaigns of Gen. Sherman up to the time of his march from Atlanta to the sea, and was wounded in the leg at the battle of Missionary Ridge. He received an honorable discharge, and returned to Keokuk in 1864, where he resumed his former business, adding to it the manufacture of furniture, which he carried on for three years, but afterward abandoned.

Mr. Nunn was married in 1859. to Miss Mary Gorman, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they became the parents of two children—George L. and Lottie G. Mrs. Nunn departed this life in 1865. For his second wife Mr. Nunn chose a sister of the first, Miss Kate Gorman, to whom he was married in 1867. Of this union were born four children, two of whom survive—Mollie and Iowa. Mrs. Kate Nunn died in 1875, and Mr. Nunn married his present wife in 1877. Her maiden name was Miss Louise Wenzel, and she is a native of Illinois. Mrs. Nunn is engaged in the manufacture of hair goods of all descriptions, and is carrying on a thriving business at No. 418 Main street, in which she employ's three women, and displays some of the finest work in her line to be found in the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Nunn occupy a fine residence at the corner of Seventh and Bank streets, and own several houses in the city which are occupied by tenants. He gives employment usually to about four men, and ships goods into the States of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Mr. N. is one of the leading business men of the city, and is fulfilling all the obligations of a good citizen.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887