Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 558

NICHOLAS WILL, deceased, is numbered among the pioneers of Muscatine County, of which he became a resident in 1840. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born June 9, 1799, and was reared to the occupation of farming in his native land. He married Anna Margaret Neibert, and, in 1839, with his family he sailed from the port of Bremen, reaching New York after a voyage of thirty-six days. He was also accompanied by four brothers, John the first, John, the second, Wolfgon, and Henry, all of whom were accompanied by their families with the exception of John the second, who was never married. The company made its way to Chicago by the slow method of travel which existed in those days, going up the Hudson to Albany, thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and on by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago. No place of settlement had yet been decided upon, and Christmas Day of 1839 found the company in St. Louis, Mo. The Father of Waters was then bound in the icy chains of winter, and at St. Louis the travelers remained until the following spring, when they continued their journey to Muscatine County, where, with the exception of John the second, they all made settlements. Later the two Johns and Wolfgon went to Missouri, where the death of the elder brothers occurred, but the younger one became a resident of Oregon, where he since died. Henry resided in Moscow Township until he, too, departed this life.

On their Journey to America, Nicholas Will and his wife were accompanied by their six children, four sons and two daighters, of which five are now living : Katherine, wife of Fred Kaufman, of Moscow Township ; George who is also living in Moscow Township ; Christian, a resident of Green County, Iowa ; Catherine, who wedded Godfred Aumiller, of Muscatine ; and John G., whose home is in Moscow Township. Three daughters were born to the parents in Muscatine County : Barbara, who afterward became Mrs.Shafnit ; Mrs. Margaret Berman ; and Mrs. Elizabeth Kurdtz, but all are now deceased.

In connection with his eldest brother, John, Mr. Will purchased a half section of land on section 22, Moscow Township, where he took up his residence and at once entered upon the improvement of his place, transforming the wild land into one of the most highly cultivated regions in the county, there making his home until his death, which occurred Dec.7, 1858. In the month of November, 1846, his first wife died and he was again married, becoming the husband of Mrs. Catherine Hoffman, who died in the fall of 1868. He was one of the well known pioneers of the county and was numbered among its successful citizens. Possessing but little of the world's goods on arriving in America he yet prospered, his success being due to his industry and perseverance. In his political sentiments he was a Democrat, and, religiously, was a member of the Lutheran Church. He has a daughter and two sons, George and John G., who are yet residing in Moscow Township.

John G. Will is now the owner of the homestead, upon which he has resided for a period of nearly fifty years. He was born in Germany, Feb. 2, 1838, and while yet an infant came with his parents to this country. He was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Shafnit, who was born Dec. 31, 1841, and is a daughter of Jacob Shafnit, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Their union has been blessed with no children, but they have an adopted son, Harry. Mr. Will is numbered among the successful farmers of Muscatine County, and is one of its largest land-owners, having added to the old homestead until his farm now comprises 800 acres. In 1888 he was elected Trustee of Moscow Township, which position he assumed Jan. 1, 1889.

George Will, the second son of Nicholas Will, was born in Germany March 18, 1830, and when about nine years of age sailed with his father's family from the port of Bremem in the sailing-vessel "Emma," and landed at New York after a voyage of thirty-six days. Many are the trials and hardships of pioneer life, which he shared in common with the family during the early days of their settlement in this county, and his hand has done much toward aiding in the labor of transformation and progress, by which the broad, yet-uncultivated prairies were developed into beautiful farms and homes. On the 29th of November, 1856, he wedded Miss Margaret Curdtz, a daughter of Godfrey and Helena Curdtz, both of whom died in Germany--their native land. She was one of a family of six children who grew to men and women hood, and in 1854, when but fourteen years of age, came with her brother John to America. Three years subsequent to that time another brother and sister came, Thomas and Elizabeth, who were twins. The former married Elizabeth Will, and died leaving three children ; the latter is the wife of Conrad Aekamower, a resident of Muscatine.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs Will seven children have been born, five sons and two daughters. Christian N., George W., John H., and Frank W., are yet living. On the 6th day of May, 1857, the parents settled on their present farm, which was then almost in its primitive condition. But few improvements had been made ; but as time passed the work of cultivation was steadily carried forward and the farm transformed into one of the finest tracts of land in the township. The home-farm contains 160 acres, but his landed possessions amount to about 796 acres, all in Moscow Township except eighty-seven acres. Mr. Will and his wife are numbered among the intelligent and esteemed citizens of Muscatine County. They have a beautiful home, which with its surroundings indicate refinement and industry, and their children have received splendid advantages and bid fair to become useful men and worthy citizens. Mr. Will is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been regarded as a politician, nor an office-seeker, though he has held various public offices in his township, discharging his duties faithfully. Mr. and Mrs. Wills are members of the Lutheran Church.


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