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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Niels S. H. Meldgaard

Niels S. H. Meldgaard, a manufacturer of cement blocks and drainage tile in Churdan, is closely associated with the industrial life of the town, his enterprise being of a character which contributes to the general prosperity as well as to individual success. Moreover, in all matters of citizenship he stands for progress and improvement and America has no more loyal citizen than this adopted son.

Mr. Meldgaard is a native of Denmark, where his birth occurred on the 14th of April, 1861. His parents are Hans and Maren (Skjoldborg) Meldgaard, the latter is still living in Denmark, but the father died there at the age of seventy five years. In their family were seven children, of whom four still survive, one brother, Serren, now making his home with Mr. Meldgaard of this review.

The latter was born and reared on a farm and at the age of sixteen years began learning the baker’s trade, which he followed until 1891. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its opportunities led to desire to seek his fortune in the new world and accordingly, when about thirty years of age, he crossed the Atlantic, making his way from the, sea coast into the interior of the country. He located first near Scranton, Iowa, and followed farming in Scranton township for about six years or until 1897, when he came to Churdan. Here he was engaged in railroading for three years, after which he turned his attention to ditching. It proved but another step to the establishment of his present business and In January, 1906, in connection with Munzenmaier, he began the manufacture of drainage tile and cement building blocks. The company erected a one story building, eighty by forty feet, of cement blocks with a cement floor, and they are now manufacturing a fine quality of building blocks. From their output a number of the fine residences in Churdan have been erected. They have stood every test of heat and cold, proving their durability, and the sale is constantly increasing. Mr. Meldgaard’s home is also of the same material. Both the building blocks and drainage tile are hand made and the firm has everything it can do to meet the demand for the output. From the beginning the new enterprise has proved a success and is now on a very paying basis.

On the 1st of July, 1887, Mr. Meldgaard was married to Miss Neilsine Buck, who was born in Denmark. She has a brother, Hans Buck, now living in Kansas City. Theirs is one of the beautiful homes of Churdan and is a favorite resort with their many friends.

Mr. Meldgaard’s study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with excellent success. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen camp and his position on the temperance question is shown by his afliliation with the Good Templars. He is progressive in business and in citizenship, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit and helpful principles of the fraternal organizations with which he is connected. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, but on the contrary his expectations have been more than realized, for he has found here good opportunities, which he has improved until today he stands among the successful men of Greene county, controlling one of its leading productive industries.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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