Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 262
GEORGE NITZ, a leading farmer of Fulton Township, residing on section 8, is a native of Switzerland, born Feb. 24, 1824, His parents, Martin and Barbara ( Beck ) Nitz, were also natives of the same country, his father born in 1789, died in 1855, at the age of sixty-six years, while his mother, born in 1788, died in 1853, at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of eight children, but only two are now living: George of this sketch , and Mary, widow of a Mr. Pabst.

When only ten years of age our subject left the parental roof, remaining from home for five years, returning when fifteen years of age. He then continued to reside with his parents until twenty-six years of age, when he left home and was employed at any work which he could find to do. After two years spent at various labors he was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Habb, their union being celebrated Sept, 14, 1850. She was a daughter of Jacob and Barbara ( Brubacher ) Habb, who were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Nitz is the only one now living, her brothers, Jacob, John, and Rudolph, having all departed this life.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs Nitz remained in Switzerland for four years, when, resolving to make their future home in America, they embarked in a sailing-vessel, which left Havre, France, on the 23rd of March, 1854, landing at New York April 22. From that city they continued their journey until reaching Davenport, Iowa, where they continued to reside for fifteen years, Mr. Nitz there engaging in the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his native land. For two years after leaving Davenport, Iowa, he was employed in the plow works of John Deere, at Moline. Ill., and then to Muscatine County, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which forms a part of his present farm, but to that original purchase he has added until he now owns 360 acres, eighty acres on section seven, 120 acres on section 8, and 160 on section 19. With the exception of about eight acres of timber the farm is all arable land, and is under a high state of cultivation.

Four children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nitz: Robert, Sept 27, 1851, is now a resident of this county; Barbara is the wife of Herman Lamb, a resident of Muscatine County; Henry, born Oct.4, 1856, died when only nine months old; Henry G., who was named for his brother, was born Nov. 22, 1866, and yet resides with his parents. Mr. Nitz has been honored by his fellow-citizens with several local offices of trust, and is now serving his third term as Township Trustee. Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has supported the Democratic party, and is held in high esteem throughout the community in which he resides.

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