Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 489

HERMAN H. NOLTE, a farmer residing on section 9, Wilton Township, was born in Hanover Germany, Feb. 12, 1819, and was one of a family of seven children : John ( deceased ), Angel, Herman H., Frederick, William, Henry, and Melissa, all of whom came to America, with the exception of the youngest. His parents came to this country in 1852, making their home with our subject until their death. The mother departed this life on the 20th of August, 1856, and the father died at the home of his son William about two years later.

Herman remained a resident of his native country until attaining his majority, when he sailed from the port of Bremen and landed in Baltimore after a long voyage of eleven weeks. Immediately after his arrival he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., and worked in the vicinity of that city for five and a half years, engaged in farming, after which he removed to Jefferson County, Ind., where for a year and a half he followed the same occupation. At the expiration of that time he wedded Miss Sarah M. Padgitt, their union being celebrated Sept. 30, 1847. The lady was born in Ohio, March 25, 1828, and is a daughter of John F. and Rachel Padgitt, who were natives of Maryland, born on the coast of Chesapeake Bay, the date of the father's birth being March 26, 1799, the mother born in 1789. They both died at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Nolte ; the death of the father occurring Dec. 13, 1880, the mother departing this life on the 13th of February of the same year, at the advanced age of ninety-one. They removed from Maryland to Ohio, and thence went to Indiana, where they lived for many years, and finally, when they had attained to old age, Mr. and Mrs. Nolte brought them to their Iowa home, that they might care for and administer to their comfort in their old age. Mr. and Mrs. Padgitt were the parents of six children, and with the exception of one all are living ; William, is a resident of Clermont County, Ohio ; Mrs. Mary Chambers is living in Muscatine County ; John makes his home in Dupont, Ind.; Jacob died in Kentucky in April, 1888 ; Mrs. Nolte is next in order of birth ; and Levi is living in Jefferson County, Ind.

After his marriage Mr. Nolte settled on a farm in Indiana and continued its cultivation until 1865, when he came to Muscatine County, and for nine years was a resident of Bloomington Township. At the expiration of that time he removed to his present farm, which was then but slightly improved, but by the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it is now one of the best farms in the community, and is 120 acres in extent. On his arrival in America $1 remained of the little store with which he had started, but his industry and perseverance, together with the assistance of hie estimable wife, have secured a pleasnat and comfortable home and a fine farm, which is proof that success comes to those who labor for it.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nolte thirteen children have been born, all of whom are living, with the exception of one, namely : John F., Sarah J., Martin C., Julia A., Mary R., Herman H., Elizabeth N., William P., Thomas C., Olive M., Charlie E., and Edward. Laura E. died in 1863, when only one year of age. In their pleasant home in Wilton Township Mr. and Mrs. Nolte have reared their large family of children, most of whom are settled in life, while all are useful and honored members of society, of whom any parent might be proud. The father and mother were for many years members of the Baptist Church, but since coming to Wilton, Iowa, as there was no organzation for that denomination in the vicinity, Mrs. Nolte, together with some of her children, has united with the Methodist Church, Mr. Nolte still continuing his connection with the Baptist Church of Muscatine, while all of the family are members of some religious body. Thus briefly have we sketched the history of this family, which for many years has held a high position in the social world of Muscatine County, and are numbered among the leading citizens.


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