Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah October 5, 2020

Of the well known citizens of Carroll none deserves respect in a higher degree than John Nockels, the pioneer clothier and merchant tailor, who is now living retired, having established the first merchant tailoring and clothing business in Carroll county. He was attracted to the United States as a young man, becoming an adopted son of Iowa, and today possesses a competence which he acquired through his industry and persistent application. He was born at Zahntveiler, in the Grand Duchey of Luxemburg, September 19, 1836, a son of Michael and Mary (Emeringer) Nockels, both of whom were natives of Luxemburg. The father was a farmer and a man of prominence in the community, becoming commissary in the Luxemburg army. He died in 1867 at the age of sixty-three years. There were six children in the family of Michael and Mary Nockels, namely: John, of this review; Frank; Jacob; Peter; Anna, widow of a Mr. Thiere and later of a Mr. Wolter; and Mary, who married John Steinmetz and is now deceased. The mother of these children passed away in 1847, and Mr. Nockels married Miss Kate Eisching. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are now living—Marguerite, the wife of Joseph Dreher of Dubuque, Iowa; and Greta, now Mrs. James Gallagher of Chicago. The paternal grandfather was Nicholaus Nockels, also a farmer, who married Anna Schuman. They had five children, four sons and three daughters.

John Nockels was reared in Luxemburg, and received his education in the French and German schools. He learned the tailor’s trade with which he was connected during his entire business career. On May 12, 1866, he landed from a vessel at New York and came direct to Dubuque, whither two brothers had preceded him. He worked at his trade later in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois, but returned to Iowa in 1869 and established a merchant tailoring business at Fort Atkinson, to which he added a retail clothing business. Seeking for a wider field he came to Carroll and in 1876 moved his family to this city, where he engaged in business until 1906, when he sold out to his sons Frank and John. He has since lived at ease no longer being obliged to devote his attention to financial concerns.

On the 15th day of June, 1881, Mr. Nockels was united in marriage to Miss Lena Meier, who was born at Evansville, Indiana. Her parents were natives of Alsace Lorraine, and her father served seven years in the French army before coming to this country. He and his wife both died at Evansville. They had four children—Mary, the wife of a Mr. Coon; Joseph, deceased; Lena, now Mrs. John Nockels and John, deceased. Four children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nockels, namely: Frank, who married Louisa Nue and they have three children—John, Carl and Fran; Jacob; John; and Louis.

Mr. Nockels is not identified with any religious denomination but his wife is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. He is connected with the Masonic order belonging to Lodge No. 264, A.F. & A.M., and Copestone Chapter, No. 78. R.A.M., both of Carroll. In political belief he adheres to the republican party, of which he is an earnest supporter. He is a good friend of education and has served as member of the school board. A man of large experience in life and broad views he has many friends in Carroll county who have found him to be straightforward, honest and true, at all times a genial and pleasing companion, and ever willing to assist in promoting the permanent welfare of others.

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