Arens, Nicholas 1816-1879

ARENS, LAUX

Posted By: Bob Arens (email)
Date: 7/29/2005 at 08:50:23

ARENS, NICHOLAS 1816-1879
In the Jackson County, IA 1880 U.S. census, the widow of Nicholas Arens 1816-1879, Anna (Arendsorff) 1821-1904, and her children; J. P., Antony, Matthew and Susan are all listed as ARNES.
Nicholas Arens 1816-1879

LOUXEMBURGER Gazette March 1879

Gestorben

am 8 Marz zu St. Donatus, Jackson Co., Iowa, versehen mit allen Sakramenten der h. kirche nack kurzer Krankheit

Nicholas Arens

Alter von 64 Jahren Derselbe war zu Olm im Canton Capellen geboren und war einer der altesten Anstedler von St. Donatus

Die trauernden kinterbliebenen

Franz Arens, Theod. Arens,

Peter Arens, Charles Arens, Sohne

John Arens, Jean Pierre Arens,

Anton Arens, Mathias Arens,

Marie Anna Arens, Elisab. Arens, Tochter

Maria Arens, Susanna Arens

ENGLISH

Died

At the March 8 to St. Donatus, Jackson County., Iowa, equip teased with all sacraments of the h. church shorter illness

Nicholas Arens

Age of 64 years the same one was born to Olm in the Canton Capellen and was one of the oldest Anstedler of St. Donatus

The mourning kinterbliebenen

Franz Arens, Theod. Arens,

Peter Arens, Charles Arens, Son

John Arens, Jean Pierre Arens,

Anton Arens, Mathias Arens,

Marie Anna Arens, Elisab. Arens, Daughter

Maria Arens, Susanna Arens

Taken from the 1979 Arens family book of John C. Arens (1909-200+) as typed by Mitzy Murphy of Graceville, MN.

Nicholas is the second son of Dominicus and Johannes (Laux) Arens. This account is composed of different accounts by several people who sought references here- and there. There was quite a question about who were their 15 children, but after hours of sweat through letter and accounts I think I have their children correct. I helped Margaret Arens start this first Family Tree and so I feel I know something about these relations. Pray to God I'm right!, John C. Arens

Nicholas Arens was born in Olm, Luxembourg on Jan 14,1814 [actually Jan 9, 1816]. He married Anna Arensdorf, born June 6, 1821- Sept 30,1904. They were married Nov 28, 1841, Olm, Luxembourg. As a young man Nicholas learned the shoemakers trade at which he worked during his residence in the fatherland. In 1851 he and his wife, Anna, and their children migrated to America [from Olm, Luxembourg through Harve, France to arrive at New York city June 9, 1851 on the ship 'Nicholas Biddle] where they might obtain a home for themselves. Several Arens families or single men, must have come to U.S. as a colony, and to work in the zinc or lead mines along the Mississippi River. These mines were never developed so they moved as a colony to Western Iowa and settled around Remsen Iowa - 1880. Some of the old rock houses are still standing in St. Donatus, Iowa. However the account states that Nicholas came direct to Iowa and obtained a farm in Jackson County. St. Donatus is in Jackson County. Nicholas developed and improved his land and engaged in general farming and stock raising until his death in 1879. Nicholas and Anna bought 60 acres of land for $300. This was witnessed by John Tritz (Later John married Mary Siren). Anna could not write her name in English, so she made and 'X' when she signed for it. This was customary for foreigners to do if they couldn't read or write. It states that this transaction was witnessed to make it legal that Anna and Nick were one family. The Tritz people are also intermarried with the Arenses and Homans. Nicholas died March 9, 1879 and so Anna bought 230 acres of land $5,600 in 1879. This transaction was probably discussed before his death, and so she went ahead with it. Anna sold the land in 1884. Nicholas died at about 65 years of age- dates do not always come out exactly. Anna lived for many years later and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Ann Schroeder in Alton, IA, Sept 30, 1904 at the age of 83 years and 4 months. The burial was Oct 3, 1904 St. Mary's Cemetery. This date has been verified. It tells of the Arens moving to Western part of Iowa in 1880. I remember well, how the older people always spoke of St. Donatus as "back East" and Alton and Remsen was " out West ".