In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1911) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1833, Frederick county
From History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911), The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. .. (1879)
M. O. NEIDIG, of the firm of B. Neidig & Son, ice dealers, also proprietors of meat market, on Second street; Mr. Neidig was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1833; in 1849, removed to this city with his parents. He married Miss Elizabeth H. Ryerson, of this city; she was born in New Jersey, and came to this county with her parents in 1855 or 1856; they have four children — Frank A., Haddessah, Alice and Ralph.
In politics, Mr. Neidig is Republican; in religion, himself and wife are Presbyterian. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W.; he was elected a member of the Muscatine Council two years; is a mao of excellent character, a valuable citizen and an energetic business man.
fOHX NESTKR, proprietor of blacksmith shop on Mulberry street, Muscatine; a native of Germany, born in 1828; emigrated to Indiana in 1844; remained until 1854, then came to this city. He married in Toledo, Ohio, Miss A. Bangea; they have live children — John T.. Andrew, Mary Theresa, Joseph and May Agnes. Mr. Nester is a Democrat; members of the Catholic Church. Mr. N. is always prepared to do first-class horse-shoeing and repairing of all kinds; in fact, anything requiring mechanical skill and practical workmanship.
in, J. NYEXHUIS, proprietor of brick yard on Lucas Grove road, South Muscatine; Mr. Nyenhuis was born in Holland, in 18U0; emigrated to Baltimore, Md., in 1848; came to Muscatine in 1853. He married, in Holland, Miss Anna E. K. Boyenk; they have eight children — Mary, now Mrs. A. Hine; Hattie, now the wife of M. Bodeman; Dennie, Senni, Annie, Vandal B., Hiram and James. Mr. Nyenhuis and wife are members of the Baptist Church; he is a Democrat; he has been engaged in the manufacture of brick fourteen years, and does an extensive business.
J. S. PATTEN", of the firm of S. S. Patten & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in lumber; is a native of Columbus, Ohio; born Jan. 25, 1826; he lived there until 24 years of age, when he came to Iowa and located in Muscatine; arrived here April 1, 1850; he engaged in manuflicturing sash, doors and blinds for six years, then went in the marble business for three years, and since then he has been engaged in the lumber business; he has held the office of City Councilman, has been a member of the Scboul Board for many years. He married Miss Sarah A. Neidig, a native of Harrisbuig, Penn., May 5, 1858; they have three children — May V., Ellsworth C. and Milton H.
J. P. PHELjPS, artistic photographer, Second street, over Post Office; Mr. P. was born in this city, in 1848. In 1872, he married Miss Louisa Waller, of Natchez, Miss.; they have two children — Florence P. and Effie L.; Mr. P. acts with the Democratic party; he has been engaged in his present business since 1862.
MA j. J. A. PI€KLER, attorney at law, of the firm of Hofifman, Pickler & Brown, was born in Washington Co., Ind., Jan. 24, 1844; when 9 years of age, his parents came to Iowa and located in Davis Co., where he was brought up; after the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted in 1862, as private in Co. D, 3d Regiment I. C; he was promoted through all the non-commissions to Second Lieutenant, then to First Lieutenant, and afterward commissioned Captain of Co. D; he was in a number uf battles; was commissioned Major of the 138th Regiment U. S. C. T.; after his return from the service, he entered the State University and went through the collegiate course; then studied law, att;ended the law school in Chicago, and afterward entered the Law Department of the Michigan University, and graduated at that institution in 1872; he practiced law in Missouri for two years, and held the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Adair Co.; in 1875, he came to Muscatine and associated with Mr. Hoffman, and since has practiced his profession here. He married xAliss Alice M. Alt, of John.son Co., Iowa, in 1870; they have two children — Lulu A. and Madge E.
As printed in The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. .. (1879). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
MAURICE O. NEIDIG.
Maurice O. Neidig, now living 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 arriving 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 rush to the California gold fields, 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 shop 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 in the packing department of the Western Cereal Company, tilling that responsible position in such a way as to meet the hearty approval of the officers and directors of that 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 Sussex 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 at 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.
As printed in History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.