For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 152
MAURICE O. NEIDIG. Maurice O. Neidig, now retired at the age of seventy-seven years, is recognized as one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Muscatine, who has performed his part in the upbuilding of the community. In the evening of a well spent life he is now enjoying a well earned rest. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 12, 1833, and is a son of Benjamin and Catharine ( Snavely ) Neidig, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller by trade and came to Iowa in 1849. In Muscatine he engaged in the butcher and ice business, departing this life in 1889, at the age of eighty-seven years. The mother was called away in Maryland in 1848. The paternal grandfather of our subject was an early settler of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and a United Brethren preacher and reared a large family, the names of his sons being John, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Daniel and Benjamin. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania and became quite prominent as a speculator, coal operator and general business man. There were four children in the family of Benjamin and Catharine ( Snavely ) Neidig: John A., who died after arrival at manhood; Maurice O., Benjamin F., deceased in 1907; and Ruanna M., who is making her home with her brother, the subject of this review.At sixteen years of age Maurice O. Neidig came with his father to Muscatine, arriving at a time when there was little evidence that the spot would later be occupied by a beautiful city, adorned with all modern improvements. The year of his arrival was signalized by the great gold rush to the California gold mines, but our subject was not swept away by this excitement. In his boyhood he was educated in the old-fashioned subscription schools and he began his business career in the butcher and ice business of his father, later becoming his partner. After a few years they sold out the ice business to Charles F. Cadle but continued in the pork-packing business. For ten years Mr. Neidig acted as superintendent of the packing department of the Western Cereal Company, filling that responsible position in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the officers and directors of the organization. For seven years he occupied the position of sexton of Greenwood cemetery, but since relinquishing that office he has lived retired, having acquired a competence through many years of active application.
On the 2d of June, 1858, Mr. Neidig was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth H. Ryerson, a daughter of Richard and Sarah ( Coss ) Ryerson. She was born in Sussix county, New Jersey, and came west with her parents about 1854, the family locating near Wilton, Iowa, where Mr. Ryerson engaged in farming. He departed this life in Nebraska. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson: Elizabeth, William, David, Peter, Mary and Maurice. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neidig. Frank A., married Ella Rector and is now in the book and stationery business st Muscatine. They have two children. Wilma and Maurice. Dessie departed this life at the age of thirty-one years. Alice married John Eckers and is now deceased. She was the mother of two children, Karl and Alice. Ralph died at the age of twenty-five years, in 1898. He was a highly promising young man and served his country as a soldier in the Spanish-American war. The mother of these children passed away in 1908, at the age of seventy-four years. She was a woman of many estimable traits of character and her death was the greatest sorrow that Mr. Neidig has ever known.
The subject of this review is a valued member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife. Politically he is identified with the republican party. He started his business career with no capital but a good constitution and a resolute determination to win. He is, therefore, a self-made man---one who has accomplished a worthy object in life by industry and self-confidence. In his earlier years he practiced rigid economy but as time passed and fortune favored he was able to give liberally to worthy objects and thus be of practical assistance to any who needed aid. He is now living at 409 Walnut street, in the house which his father built in 1862 and which has ever since been the family home. Mr. Neidig has many friends in Muscatine and vicinity who esteem him for his excellent qualities.
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