PETER R. NISSEN.
There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with well-directed purpose, will not produce some measure of success, and in the pursuit of agriculture these qualities are especially essential. Among the well-known and highly-respected farmers of Audubon county, Iowa, who have attained in a comparatively short time a definite degree of success in their vocation, and who at the same time have greatly benefited the community in which they live by virtue of their interest and helpfulness in public affairs and public movements, is Peter R. Nissen, of Hamlin township, Audubon county, Iowa.
Peter R. Nissen was born, December 3, 1866, in Germany. He is the son of Jesse and Mary (Reinholdt) Nissen. They were born in Schleswig, when it was still a part of Denmark. They were farmers and the parents of two children, both boys, Peter R. and Fred.
Peter R. Nissen lived at home until he was sixteen years old. He received a good common-school education in his native country. In 1882, when he was sixteen years old, he left the paternal roof and came to the United States, where he had an uncle and aunt living in Shelby county, Iowa. Peter R. Nissen lived with them for one year. He then commenced working out by the month, doing this for four years. In the meantime he rented land and at the end of his period of working for different farmers, he rented land for one year and had saved at the end of that time a couple of hundred dollars. He invested this money in eighty acres of land in Shelby county and lived there for sixteen years. He then sold that farm and purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land in Hamlin township, Audubon county, where he lived for twelve years, then sold out and bought forty acres in Leroy township, where he now lives. Mr. Nissen owns eighty acres in Guthrie county, Iowa.
On October 24, 1887, Peter R. Nissen was married in Shelby county to Mary Spirup, who was born July 24, 1866, in Denmark, and who is the daughter of Michael and Mary Spirup. The father was a day laborer, who died in Denmark. The mother then came to the United States about 1884 and one year later Mr. Nissen's wife came.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nissen have been born three children: Jesse R., who was born July 8, 1888, and was married, November 24, 1911, to Mollie Miller; Mary R., born on August 4, 1892, and was married, March 1, 1911, to Clint Rice, and they have two children, Nira Arleen, born on April 22, 1912, and an infant son, born on December 27, 1914; Michael R., born on February 14, 1895, and lives at home.
Mr. Nissen is a member of the Danish Lutheran church. He is a Democrat in politics and served as township clerk for two years. He helped to organize the Farmers Savings Bank of Hamlin and was assistant cashier for two years. He was also an examiner for the bank. For nine years Mr. Nissen was also a director of the Blue Grass Creamery Company of Audubon county. On his farm Mr. Nissen keeps a good grade of stock, though he does not keep thoroughbreds.
Peter R. Nissen is highly respected and well known in this part of Audubon county. He has been intimately connected with its agricultural and commercial history and has much to do with its progress and prosperity. He was elected township clerk of Hamlin township, but resigned when he moved to Leroy township.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 446-447.
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