Biographies, beginning with N, History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 Transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 2000 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** History of Clayton County Iowa 1882 Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882 Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, Monona, Iowa Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., 1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711, 1975 N Cox Creek Township -- John Nading was born on Oct. 11, 1816, in Stokes County, N. C., and was a son of George and Mary Ann (Sours) Nading, of North Carolina. They removed to Edwards County, Ill., in 1845, and there engaged in farming. She died in 1846; he in 1866. John Nading received his education in the common schools of his native State, and followed teaming there until he came to Illinois with his father. In 1851 he removed to Clayton County, and settled on his present farm in Cox Creek Township. He is one of the oldest settlers in the county, and has a finely improved farm. He was married Dec. 29, 1842, to Margaret Quigley, of New York. Her parents, Denis and charity Quigley, settled in Iowa in 18949, and remained here until 1872, when they removed to Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Nading have had eight children, viz.: Mary Jane, born March 22, 1844, married William Calloway; William J., born May 5, 1848, married Corintha Medkiff; Clarinda, born Dec. 13, 1852, is now Mrs. Michael Romig; Caroline, now the wife of Edward Clinton, was born Jan. 1, 1855; James Madison, born June 17, 187, married Minnie Easton; John, born May 26, 1861; Andrew Jackson, Jan 31, 1864; Sally Ann, born July 22, 1846, died in 1874, and Malinda, born April 26, 18--, died Feb. 9, 18--. Mr. Nading has held many of the town offices, discharging the duties of each faithfully and well. In politics he is a Democrat. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 749-750 Marion Twp. -- Narve Narveson was born in Winnebago County, Iowa, on Feb. 10, 1856. He was left an orphan at the early age of seven years, and he was then adopted by his uncle Helge Embretson, with whom he has resided since. Mr. Embretson's wife died without issue in May, 1878. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Marion Township, which the subject of this sketch has been engaged in cultivating for the past five years. Mr. Narveson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in politics is a Republican. He has held the office of School Director, and is a man well respected in the community in which he lives. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 934 Marion Twp. -- N. Nelson, one of Clayton County's representative farmers, was born in Norway on April 8, 1846. He came with his parents to America in 1849; landed at Quebec, Canada. From there went to Rock County, Wis., where he remained two years, then located to Allamakee County, Iowa. In 1854 he came to Clayton County, and settled on section 10, Marion Township. He was married on May 24, 1868, to Julia Knudson, who was born in Rock County, Wis., Feb. 3, 1852. Their union has been blessed with two children - Josephine, born April 26, 1870, and Nickolena, born March 16, 1872. Mr. Nelson is holding the office of School Director. He owns 160 acres of fine land, and is engaged in farming and stockraising. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. His mother died in 1877; his father is still living in Dakota. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 934 Grand Meadow Twp. -- Halvon Nelson was born in Norway, Sept. 12, 1825. He came to America in 1846, landed in New York, and from there went to Rock County, Wis. On June 11, 1849, he came to Clayton County, and located on the farm where he now lives. The Indians were still here, and wild game abounded; he built a cabin and made some improvements on his farm, then went to California, returning two years later. He was married to Caroline Peterson, on Feb. 5, 1855; she was born in Norway, Sept. 13, 1828. Seven children have been born of this union-- Nels, born Jan. 15, 1856; Peter, March 28, 1858; Henry, May 7, 1860; Anna, Oct. 17, 1862, married Gilbert Ostle; Burbro, born June 11, 1865; Peder, Nov. 13, 1868, and Isabella, March 2, 1876. Mr. Nelson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He owns over 700 acres of as fine land as there is in the State, all under cultivation. He has held the offices of School Director and Road Supervisor. His father resides with him, he being over ninety years of age and in possession of all his faculties. His mother died about 1852. Mr. Nelson merits and receives the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 831-832 Cass Twp. -- James Newberry, Editor and proprietor of the Strawberry Point Press, also farmer, son of John and Sally (Fancher) Newberry, natives of New York. They moved to Ohio, where they both died. James was born in New York State, May 26, 1827; he ws educated in Ohio; he has followed farming all his life; has been very successful and now owns one of the best places in Clayton County. In 1855 he came to Iowa, and his farm of 400 acres is on section 31, Lodomillo Towhship, and 25 and 36, Cass Township. Some six years since he moved to the village of Strawberry Point, and soon after began the publication of the Press; this he has much improved, and it is now one of the best paying and best edited papers in the county. In the spring of 1882 he began the publication of the Iowa Dairyman, a journal devoted to the dairy interest of the West; it is a very neatly executed work, and would do credit to a much larger town. It contains forty pages of hightly interesting matter. In 1852 Mr. N. married Hannah Maria, daughter of John M. and Sally Westfall, natives of New Jersey, now living at Strawberry Point, Iowa. By this union there are five children--Byron W., born Sept. 1, 1853 (he is an attorney); Frank J., born June 26, 1858 (he has learned the printing business and is now in company with his father; he married Kate H. Squires); Mary E., born Sept. 10, 1859 (she is the wife of H. M. Kingsley; they reside on the homestead); Charles W., born Dec. 23, 1864; Kate Gertrude, born May 1, 1870. Mr. Newberry has been frequently elected to various offices in town, county and State. In 1868-'69 he represented his county in the Legislature, and for some eight years he has held the office of County Supervisor; by his untiring energy in laboring for the interests of the people, he is kept at work for them. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 699 Boardman Twp. -- Frank A. Nichols, photographer, Elkader, was born near Hartford, Conn., Aug. 20, 1857, and was a son of Andrew F. and Jane E. (Crampton) Nichols. In 1860 the family emigrated to Clayton County, where they have remained since. Frank was reared on a farm and received his education principally in the common schools, attending one term at the Upper Iowa University of Fayette. In 1880 he married Emma E. Thompson, who was born in Ohio in September, 1853. One child blessed this union--Roy E., born April 19, 1881. Mr. Nichols embarked in his present business in the fall of 1880, and is meeting with the success which always attends industry and honesty. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 665 Giard Twp. -- Charles E. Nichols, M. D. was born in De Kalb County, Ill., on the 10th day of December, 1846, a son of Merritt and Maranda A. (Siloway) Nichols, who were the parents of nine children, six living—Adelbert W., John J., Charles E., Arthur M., William H. and Josephine B. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received an academic education. In 1868 to 1869 he began reading medicine with Dr. H. T. Schneider, at Giard, a homeopathic physician, but not being satisfied with it commenced to study as a regular. Previous to taking the regular course, he studied the eclectic for two years. In the winter of 1870-'71 attended lectures at the Iowa State University, graduating in March, 1880, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Giard. In July, 1870, he married Martha J. Schneider, who was born in Giard Township, Apr. 16, 1851. By this union there are four children, two sons and two daughters, viz.: Zella A., Charles J., Clarence F. and Cora May. In February, 1864, Dr. Nichols enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K, serving eight months and twenty-two days, when he was discharded on account of physical disability. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 822 Monona Twp. -- Charles F. Nichols, was born, in Woodstock, Vt., Jan. 19, 1850, and was a son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Claflin) Nichols, who were married in Rutland, and settled in Stockbridge, Vt., where three children were born--Nathan D. Lucy J. (deceased), and Charles. Mr. Nichols by trade was a carpenter and joiner, and followed the business of contracting and building. In 1855 he emigrated to Clayton. Previous to coming to Iowa, Mrs. Nichols died and he again married, Emily H. Sargent. He died Jan. 18, 1869. The subject of this memoir married Emma I. Hinman, a daughter of Orson C. and Cynthia A. (Patterson) Hinman, natives of New York State, where she was born Sept. 15, 1853. By this union there was one child--Estella A., born Aug. 7, 1875 History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 p. 1054 Monona Twp. -- Haskell Nichols, farmer, Monona Township, was born in Essex County, N.Y., Dec. 20, 1823, and was a son of Ezra and Polly (Brown) Nichols. His grandfather, Edmund Brown, was a soldier in the war of 1812; also in the Revolutionary war. Haskell was reared on a farm and received a common school education. When twenty-one years of age he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed for ten years. In 1852 he went to California, where he engaged in mining for six years. In 1859 he came to Clayton County, Ia., where he purchased speculator's land, paying $10 per acre. In February, in 1862, he married Dexalana Wallace, who was born in Westport, Essex County, N.Y., Dec. 15, 1834. By this union there were four children, two living--Marian C. and Leora. Mr. Nichols has ninety-five acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. In politics he is an old line Whig, and at the time of the organization of the Republican party joined them, and has affiliated with them since. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 p. 1053-1054 Monona Twp. -- Luther Nichols, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Erie County, N.Y., on the 1st day of April, 1827, and was a son of Clark Nichols and Nancy, nee Howell, the former a native of Rhode Island, the latter of New York. They were married in Erie County, N.Y., where ten children were born, five living-- Luther; Caroline, now the wife of John Weatherlow; Elmina, wife of S. F. Mann; Olive, wife of Frank Blood, and Alice. Mr. Nichols was a farmer, which occupation he followed until his death, which occurred in 1879. Mrs. Nichols died in 1880. Luther was reared on his father's farm, and received a liberal education. When twenty-one years of age he left his home and went to Mississippi and Tennessee, where he was engaged in teaching school for a number of years. In 1854 he came to Clayton County and bought the land where he now resides. In 1860 he married Eveline, daughter of David M. Woodmansee. She was born in Painesville, Lake County, O., Sept. 28, 1835. By this union there were seven children, four living--Elbert, Arthur, Alice and Estella. Mr. Nichols has 320 acres of land in Clayton County, valued at $40 per acre. He has held several local offices of trust in the gifts of the people, and has always taken an active interest in eduational matters. He can truly be classed with the pioneers of this county, having been identified with her interests over a quarter of a century. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 p. 1053 Mendon Twp. -- Ole Nielson, one of the pioneers of Clayton County, was born in Norway, June 17, 1831, son of Niels and Anna (Halvors) Nielson, who emigrated to the United States in 1846, landed in Milwaukee, and thence to Rock County, Wis., where they remained until 1849, when they came to Clayton County, Ia. They located in Grand Meadow Township, where Niels Nielson is still living at the advanced age of ninety-six. After coming to the county, being unable to obtain work, Ole concluded to go to Illinois. He reached McGregor, where he was employed by Alexander McGregor to run the ferry-boat, remaining with him until his death. About that time he went to Colorado, where he entered a ranch with the intention of raising stock, but the Indians being troublesome he returned to Clayton County. In the fall of 1859 he married Gorand Hansen, who was born in Norway in October, 1830. They have four children--Annie, Niels, Jane and Henry A. Mr. Nielson has been identified with the county since 1849, and has seen the wild prairie coverted into beautiful farms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, chapter and commandery; also a member of the I.O.O.F. At the time of Alexander McGregor's death he was left one-half interest in the ferry which he had so ably attended. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 997-998 Lodomillo Twp. -- Harrison Noble, proprietor of the mercantile store now operated by Wilson, Foote & Noble, was born in Napoli, Cattaraugus County, N.Y., Aug. 7, 1829. His parents, Lorin and Fannie (Boardman) Noble, are natives of New York, where the former followed lumbering and farming until 1854, when he came to Iowa. He conducted a hotel in Delaware County a number of years, and is now engaged in farming in Clayton County. The subject of this memoir came to Iowa in June, 1852, and purchased land in Delaware County, where he was married to Rosanna Holt, on Dec. 29, 1858. She was born in Rutland County, O., and was a daughter of Aaron and Lucretia (Hubble) Holt. They have five children--Eddie L., born in the year 1859, is engaged in the dry-goods business at Edgewood; Elsie, born March 6, 1861, is teaching school here; Merril, born April 19, 1867; Nora, Feb. 7, 1869, and Jesse, Aug. 27, 1871. Mr. Noble in March, 1866, bought a store in Edgewood, and a farm in Lodomillo Township, the latter now comprising a portion of the town of Edgewood, in which he has always taken an active interest. It was principally through his efforts that the C.M. & St.P.R.R. was laid through the place, he giving them depot ground, and laying out Noble's addition to Edgewood. He was Postmaster here for nine and one-half years. He is a Mason, and is a member of Strawberry Point Lodge, No. 130. He owns several lots in this and Delaware Counties. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of our energetic business men. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 898 Lodomillo Twp. -- Jonathan F. Noble (deceased) was a native of Richmond, Ontario County, N.Y., born Nov. 23, 1804. His parents were M. Noble and Lydia (nee Frary) Noble. His father died when he was thirteen years old, and at that early age, active life in all its stern reality appeared to him, teaching him to rely upon his own abilities, a lesson which proved invaluable in after years. He was married at Lima, N.Y., on Feb. 28, 1824, to Martha Gray, a native of that township, born April 30, 1802. To them were born three sons--Levi R., who married Lucinda Haspell; Lucins L., married Elizabeth Kidner, and Franklin G., born in Newton, Mich., May 8, 1843, resides with his mother. Mr. Noble followed farming in Genesee County, N.Y., until 1836, when he removed to Oakland County, Mich., thence to Wayne County, that State, where he remained nine years, then went to Calhoun County, Mich. In 1846 he came to Clayton County and settled on the old homestead on section 29, Lodomillo Township. He died there July 23, 1864, and in his death Clayton County lost one of her respected and esteemed citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Noble were members of the FreeWill Baptist church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 897 Cass Twp. -- Lucius L. Noble, son of Johathan F. and Martha G. Noble was born in the town of Alabama, Genessee County, N.Y., July 15, 1832. His parents were natives of New York, and when he was quite small, removed to Calhoun County, Mich., where they remained until July 1846, and then came to Clayton County. His father purchased a farm of eighty acres in Lodomillo Township, upon which he resided until his death which occurred in July 1864. His widow and son, F. G. Noble, succeeded to the farm, which they still conduct. The subject of this memior bought 120 acres of land in Lodomillo Towhship, in 1853. He now owns 255 acres of fine farming land, which he rents, and resides in Strawberry Point. On Dec. 19, 1858, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kidner, in Lodomillo Towhship. To them have been born two children--Cora A. and Emma D. In politics Mr. Noble affiliates with the Republican party. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 700 Cass Twp. -- Levi R. Noble, retired farmer, was born Dec. 29, 1830, in the town of Alabama, Genesse County, N.Y, and was a son of Jonathan F. an Martha G. Noble. When sixteen years of age he came to Clayton County with his father, who settled on a farm. He assisted his father until he was twenty-two years old, when he bought 120 acres of land in Lodomillo Township, which he cultivated until eight years ago, when he retired from active life, having added 180 acres to his possession, and acquired an ample fortune. On March 9, 1853, he was married to Lucinda A. Haskell, in Lodomillo Towhship. Of three children born to this union, one survives--Martha E. In politics Mr. Noble is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 699-700 Lodomillo Twp. -- Levi R. Noble is a native of Alabama, N.Y., born Dec. 29, 1830. His parents, Jonathan F. and Martha Noble, nee Gray, were early settlers of Clayton County. Levi was the oldest of three children born of this union. He attended school and assisted on his father's farm until his marriage to Lucinda A. Haskell, which occurred March 9, 1853. She was born in New York State, and was a daughter of Thomas and Hulda (Orcott) Haskell, natives of Vermont. Of three children born of this union, one survives--Martha E., born Dec. 20, 1862. After his marriage Mr. Noble purchased a farm of 300 acres in this township, which he still owns and resided upon until 1874, when he went with his family to Colorado and California, returning to Clayton County one year later. He has since resided in Strawberry Point, where he owns a lot of five and a quarter acres and a beautiful residence. He is one of Clayton County's enterprising and energetic citizens. Miss Martha E. Noble is a member of the Congregational church. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 898-899 Jefferson Twp. -- William Nolte (deceased) was born in Saxony, Germany, on June 22, 1819. He was married in his native country in June, 1842, to Mary Kahlmeyer, and in 1845 they emigrated to America, locating in St. Louis, Mo. They resided there until the spring of 1853, when they came to Guttenberg, Ia. Mr. Nolte engaged in the mercantile business here for some time and afterward conducted the "Chicago House" for four years. He died on March 14, 1860, and in his death Clayton County lost one of her most respected citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Nolte were born eleven children, three living—Elizabeth, now the wife of G.H. Jacobs; Henry W. and William. Henry W. was born in Guttenberg in 1855, and was married here to Emma Greener. William was also born here in 1857; he married Julia Zapf. The brothers learned their trades, the former that of a blacksmith, in 1872, the latter a wagon-maker, in 1876, with John Luther, in whose employ they have been since. Mrs. William Nolte, Sr., after the death of her husband, married Otto Meyer, now deceased. She resides at Guttenberg. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 870-871 Monona Twp. -- A. C. Norton, photographer and jeweler, Monona, son of Edwin D. and Hannah C. Norton, nee Hinman, was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., on July 30, 1849. His parents were married in that county, where two children were born--A.C.and Herbert M. Minnie, now the wife of Burton Wade, was born in McKean County, Penn. The subject of this sketch at an early age began to learn the photographer's and jeweler's trades, becoming very proficient in them. In 1872 he came to Clayton County, Iowa, and located in Monona, where he embarked in his present business, and has met with good success. He was married in 1869 to Laura A. Whaley, a native of Cattaraugus County, N.Y. Their matrimonial life has been blessed with four children--Charles E., born Sept. 22, 1870; Elbert D., Oct. 29, 1871; Cora Edna, Nov. 4, 1872, and Blanche A., March 14, 1878. Mr. Norton is a member of the I.O.O.F., Northern Light Lodge, of Monona. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 p. 1054.