August Nehls
As a resident of Denison township for the past fifteen years August Nehls has gained the reputation of being one of the most industrious as well as progressive agriculturists in that section of the county.
Born in Clayton county, Iowa, January 5, 1863, he is a son of Daniel and Mary (Cords) Nehls, both of them being natives of Germany, from which country the father came to the United States in 1853, while he was still quite young, and subsequently began to work on a farm in Clayton county, where in the course of time he bought one hundred acres of land. In 1857 he married Miss Cords, who had come with her parents to this country in 1854.
He sold his farm in 1866 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the same county, which he brought to a high state of improvement and continued to cultivate until 1878, when he disposed of it and bought eight hundred and ninety-two acres in Crawford county. This he improved and continued to follow general farming until his death, which occurred October 10, 1900. After this event the family removed to Denison, where the mother still resides, a well preserved lady, hale and hearty, at the age of seventy-four years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nehls were born thirteen children, of whom three survive, namely: Martin, who resides on the home farm; John, who is at home with his brother and mother in Denison; and August, of this review. Those deceased are: Charles, Minnie, Rosina, Mary, Lizzie, Daniel, Tillie, Mahlie, and two sons who died in infancy.
The elementary education of August Nehls was obtained in the common schools and he assisted his father on the farm until eighteen years old, when he decided to branch out for himself and went to Nevada and later to Utah, earning his way both as a miner and upon a farm. After an absence of five years he returned to Crawford county and, in partnership with his brother, rented a half section from his father and for the following ten years engaged in general farming. At the end of that period the advancing age of his mother called him to her side and he took up his residence with her in Denison, which he has since made his home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Nehls has always been a stalwart democrat and although he has never sought nor desired public office he takes a keen interest in any movement that tends to improve the local conditions of his community. In religion he is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. He is a man of undoubted integrity, broad-minded in his views, a stanch friend, faithful to his home ties, and commands the respect of all who know him.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.