HENRY NIERMEYER

Henry Niermeyer, the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres on section 9, Springfield township, has resided on his present place for thirty-seven consecutive years and his well directed labors as an agriculturist have been crowned with success. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 2d of January, 1845, his parents being Fred and Bertha (Engle) Niermeyer, who passed away in that country. He was reared on a farm and attended the common schools of his native land in the acquirement of an education.

When a young man of twenty-eight, Mr. Niermeyer crossed the Atlantic to the United States, wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities of the new world. After landing on American shores he made his way direct to Cedar county, Iowa, purchasing and locating upon a tract of ninety acres on section 9, Springfield township. A small house and a thatched-roof stable were the only buildings on the place, but he set resolutely to work and as the years have gone by has transformed it into a well improved and valuable property. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred acres. There are two sets of fine buildings on the property, providing ample shelter for grain and stock. The timber which originally covered a large portion of the tract has all been removed. Mr. Niermeyer has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and he annually gathers good harvests as a reward of the intelligence which he displays in the planting and cultivation of his crops.

In 1873, in Cedar county, Mr. Niermeyer was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Dirck, a native of Germany, who came to this country with her brother Fred. Unto them were born nine children, as follows: Henry and William, who are residents of Springfield township; Tillie, the wife of Henry Tierber, of Cedar county; Anna, who is the wife of Harry Thede and resides in Springfield township; Lena; Dena; Louise; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Niermeyer is a stanch democrat in politics and has held the office of road supervisor. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is widely recognized as a most public-spirited and loyal citizen. His life has at all times been in conformity with his professions as a member of the Evangelical church. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.