Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 111

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

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NELCH, Adam (deceased) .- It is always a matter of public regret when a man who is in the prime of life is removed from his useful sphere, just at a time when his family and com- munity have need of his services and influence. When such a man has proven during his whole Ilfe, hls fitness to occupy a high positiou in the estimation of his fellow citizens; has estab- lished a record for integrity and honest busi- ness dealings ; when he is beloved In his family, and trusted among hls associates, then such an untimely loss appears all the harder to bear. The late Adam Nelch, one of the best known contractors and builders of Springfield, was a man whose business problty was never called Into question, and whose personality was of such a character that he attached men to him and carried their friendship with him through Ilfe. Mr. Nelch was born February 26, 1850, at Beardstown, Ill., being a son of John Nelch, one of the sturdy German-Americans who located In Springfield early in the sixtles.

Adam Nelch was apprenticed, in the good German way, to Contractor Kane to learn the bricklayer trade, and his education was obtained in the schools in the vicinity of Petersburg, and those of Springfield. After leaving Mr. Kane, he was employed in the Springfield Rolling Mills for nine years, when he began contracting for himself. Later he continued to conduct his own business, and was ultimately associated in the construction of some of the most important bulldings in Springfield and vicinity, Including the St. Nicholas hotel, the annex to it, the Springfield boiler works, both the Booth and Baker buildings, the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salzenstein livery, the Johnson building, the Dresser block, the Lanphier building, the Relsch building, the Academy of Our Lady of the Sa- cred Heart, the Million building, the Keys block, the Buck building, the Myers Bros. block, the Ferguson building, the new Bressmer building, as well as countless of the finest residences here. Hls work of all kinds was of such a character that it stands as the best monument he could have, and will as long as the city endures.

Mr. Nelch was married on March 26, 1873, to Anna E. Tipton of this city, daughter of J. P., and they had nine children, seven of whom with the widow survive, they being: Mrs. Barnum, wife of Dr. Lee Barnum of Illiopolis; Mrs. Charles Patterson of No. 1425 East Adams Street ; Annie; Mary, wife of Raymond Mc- Clellaud, 1401 Lowell Avenue; Willlam T., George and Adam Jr .; all of Springfield. The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Nelch were exten- sive, including membership in Elwood Com- mandery, No. 6, Knights Templar; Sangamon County Lodge of Perfectlon; Springfield Chap- ter of Royal Arch Masons, No. 1; Central Lodge A. F. & A. M., No. 71; Flower City Chapter Order of Eastern Star, No. 152; Liberty Camp, No. 1534, Modern Woodmen of America; Spring- field Council No. 136 Yeomen of America, and Abe Lincoln Lodge, I. O. M. A., now called the American Home Circle.

The death of Mr. Nelch occurred on August 26, 1909, at his residence, No. 713 North Fourth Street, after his having been ill for a period of three months. His funeral was in charge of Elwood Commandery and Central Lodge A. F. & A. M., No. 71, the Rev. F. A. DeRosset offi- ciating. The services were sublimely affecting, and his remains were laid to rest in beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mr. Nelch was essentially a self-made man, whose remarkable success in life was due to his own unaided efforts, intelligently directed by a brain that was ever busy. His business activ- ity gave him bnt little time for public life, but he was always Intelligently interested in cur- rent events, and supported his political convic- tions with that strength of purpose which was so characteristic of all his actions. His place is empty both in his home and business circles, but hls Influence remains, and those who were associated with him are the better for hls ex- ample, and his family appreciate more fully, day by day, the love and devotion he ever gave them.

NETTLETON, William .- Many Englishmen, not finding in their native land the opportunitles for which they are seeking, emlgrate to their colonies or to the United States, where they cau find an opening and establish themselves in life. Some of those who come to this coun- try select in Springfield or its contlguons ter- ritory a home, and few If any are dissatisfied with results. One of those who have thus acted is William Nettleton, a gardener on Sec- tion 2, Woodside Township, whose ten acres of land. two miles from Springfield, is worth $900 per acre. He was born iu Yorkshire, England, November 22, 1854, a son of William and Hannah (Thompson) Nettleton, born in Yorkshire and Dunnington, England, respec- tively.

The father was a groom, who made a spe- clalty of taking care of fine horses, but died in his native land, when his son was only twelve years old, his widow still surviving, making her home in England at the age of elghty-two

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years. She hore her husband six children, two sons aud four daughters, all of whom sur- vive, although William Nettletou is the only one who came to this country. The latter was educated in England and early began to earn his own living lu his native country, working as signal mau for the London & Northwestern Railroad for several years. In 1873, he salled from Liverpool, landing in New York, after a voyage occupying thirteen days. After reach- Ing New York he came west to Michigan where he remained two years, there learning the broom-making business, aud working at his trade for some time in Hillsdale and Tecumseh, Mich. After this he speut a short time in both St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., after which he came to Springfield to take up farm- ing, also working at the broom-making busi- ness. In 1884 he bought some land in Spring- field Township, which has coutinued to be his home. His teu acres yleld hlm a larger in- come that many large farms, because he knows how to make every inch bring forth Its biggest possible crop. His product meets with ready sale because of Its superior quality and easy access to market.

Mr. Nettleton was married in Springfield, at Saint Paul's Pro-Cathedral, November 21, 1878, to Lavinia Price, born in England, October 11, 1855, but brought by an uncle aud auut from her native land when twelve years old, being than an orphan. Mr. and Mrs. Nettleton be- came the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are living, viz .: Nettle, wife of John Welsh, of Springfield; Charles, of Springfield; Amy, wife of Harry Sauer, a fireman on the Wabash Railroad; Harry of Springfield; Alice, wife of George Solle of Springfield; Jessie, a stenographer for Edwin A. Wilson of Spring- field; Hannah, at home; William, George, Jean and Helen, also at home. There are three grandchildreu In the family.

The family are members of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Springfield, and are active in church work. Mr. Nettleton is a fine type of the sturdy Yorkshireman, and Is proud of his native land, as he is also attached to the one In which he has succeeded so well and in which his children have been born.

NEU, Jacob, now living retired in his pleasant home at 423 West Adams Street, Springfield, Ill., Is a representative and public-spirited German-American citizen, and spent most of his life in hard work and industry. He was born in Germany, January 24, 1838, son of Henry and Katherine (Faust) Neu, both natives of Germany, who died in Baltimore, Md., the father in May, 1892, and the mother at the age of seventy-two years. The father was a black- smith and brought his family to the United States in 1856, locating permanently in Baltl- more.

The education of Jacob Neu was acquired in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years he began assisting his father, who owned

a farm, in addition to working at his trade. The young man remained on the farm four years, beiug eighteen years of age at the time he accompauled the rest of the famlly to America, and remained with them two years in Balti- more. In 1858 he came to Springfield, Ill., leav- ing his parents in Baltimore, aud found em- ployment in the blacksmith shop of John Schubert, Seventh and Jefferson Streets, with whom he remained four years, then found similar employment with Mr. Booth. In 1861 he became a member of the fire department, whose location was ou South Seventh Street, in the bullding now occupied by Johnson & Hatcher. Mr. Neu was employed at Davidson & Henley's for four years before his retire- meut in Springfield.

At the age of eighteen years Mr. New became a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, and for many years has been a mem- ber of the German Trinlty Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which he served some time as Trus- tee. He has been a Democrat In political views ever since locating in the United States. He is Industrlous and thrifty by nature and has wou a fair degree of financial success. He Is a great lover of his home and greatly enjoys the comforts his past years of hard work have won for him, and which he knows how to ap- preciate. It is such men as he who comprise the best citizens of the country.

Mr. Neu was married, in 1860, to Katherine Lutz, who was born in Germany, in 1841, daugh- ter of Conrad and Mary (Fisk) Lutz. Mrs. Neu's brothers were extensively engaged in meat-packing and during the Civil War secured large contracts for supplylng meat to the Gov- ernment. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neu, a son, who died In infancy, and a daughter, Mary, who married George Betting- haus, a contractor and bullder of Springfield.

NEU, John C. (deceased) .- Few veterans of the Civil War are left of the vast army that bravely responded to the country's call and risked their lives on the battlefield, or lan- guished in loathsome prisons. An honored sol- dier of Springfield was the late John C. Neu, born in Prussia, In 1840, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Neu. Leaving school at four- teen years of age, John C. Neu began working, and when sixteen came with a cousin, Chris Neu, to the United States. They landed In Baltimore, where he learned his trade of cooper. When his country had need of his services, he enlisted, serving In many hard- fought battles. Being taken prisoner he en- dured for ninety days the unspeakable horrors of Libby prison. He left the service when the war was over.

When he was twenty-six years old, Mr. Neu was united in marriage with Elizabeth Neu, and in 1869 they came to Springfield, where he obtained employment in a cooper shop. Fol- lowing this, he worked in a woolen mill until it closed, when he employed his time dolng odd

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

jobs, aiways discharging his duties faithfully and well. His death occurred on June 16, 1910, and his remains are interred in Oak Ridge Ceme- tery. He was a member of the German Metho- dist Church, and acted as one of its Trustees for many years. In political faith he was a Democrat, but never aspired to office.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Neu were as follows: John of Springfield, connected with the Otto Rededer Company, dealers in wall pa- per, married Lydia Schutz, of St. Louis; Ida K., at home; William T., a farmer of Sangamon County, married Minnie Schniep; Edwin went to Texas; Charles, a grocer of Springfield, mar- ried Elizabeth Irwin. Mr. Neu's memory is ten- derly cherished by his family, for he was a man who gave liberally of himself and never spared his efforts at the expense of others.

NEUMAN, John .- There has been too much tendency on the part of young people of the country during the past few years to leave the farm and seek their fortunes in the big cities, to quit the clean, pure life of the country for the bustling, nerve-wrecking hustle and bustle of the metropolis. It has been said by a cer- tain notable public man, "We must look to the farm," and, in urging the young people of the country to remain in their present surround- ings and do a work that means the promotion of the nation's prosperity, he gave figures and statistics going to show that the agriculturist, if his labor shall be expended in the proper manner, will reap a richer reward than the average youth in the large cities. A notable example of what scientific farming will accom- plish can be found iu the career of John Nen- man, who owns a tract of 260 acres of farming land in Woodside Township, where he resides, as well as the fine property consisting of 111 acres, in Ball Township. Mr. Neuman was born September 14, 1856, in Springfield, Ill., a son of John G. and Mary (Greab) Neuman.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Neuman, who was a native of Germany, spent his whole life in the Fatherland and died there, while on the maternal side, the grandfather came from Germany to the United States at an early date, and died in New York. John G. Nenman was born in Germany, as was his wife, and on coming to America first settled in New York, but later removed to Springfield, Ili., and subsequently settled on a farm in Sangamon County. On this property, which was known as the Rutledge farm, Mr. and Mrs. Neuman spent the remainder of their lives, carrying on agricultural pursuits and rearing their chil- dren to lives of usefuiness.

John Neuman secured his education in the public schools of Springfield, and as soon as he was able to do so took his place on the farm and began doing his share towards cultivating the soil and developing the property. On reach- ing manhood he took up a property of his own, and year by year, by intelligent and energetic labor, cultivated it, added to it and eventually

became the owner of his present fine farms in Sections 24 and 25, Woodside Township, and in Ball Township. As new machinery has been invented, with its time and labor-saving de- vices, Mr. Neuman has installed it upon his land. He has studied much on agricultural matters; has experimented with tiling, grading, draining and ditching; has followed crop rotation, and as a result, has two of the finest properties to be found in Sangamon County. His buildings are large and substantial, his pastures are neatly and regularly fenced, and the entire general appearance of his farms de- notes the enterprising, progressive agriculturist. Mr. Neuman is a Republican in political matters and has served his township as School Director for twelve years. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist Church, while his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination.

On September 9, 1879, Mr. Neuman was mar- ried in Springfield, Ill., to Margaret Doerfler, who was born May 23, 1857, in Sangamon County, daughter of John and Lizzie (Traeger) Doerfier, natives of Germany, the former of whom died in Sangamon County, while the latter resides in Springfield, being in her eighty-second year. To Mr. and Mrs. Neuman have been born eight children, all in Woodside Township: Charles, born September 25, 1880; Etta, born January 24, 1882, married Art Ginther and lives in Sangamon County, having one son, John E .; Catherine, born on October 11, 1884; Clara, born January 21, 1886; Ursula, born November 1, 1888, married Dave Ginther, and resides in North Dakota, having one son, Walter; Emma, born Angust 31, 1890; Tom, born October 9, 1892, and Esther, born October 4, 1894.

NEUMAN, John C., who has long been promi- nently identified with public affairs in Spring- field, is a man who has made his own way in life through earnest and persistent effort. He has taken advantage of his opportunities and has at all times shown his ability to attain suc- cess. He was born on what was known as Vine- gar Hill, Springfield. April 6, 1853, and belongs to an old and prominent family. His father, John Frederick Nenman, was a native of Ol- denburg, Germany, born in 1814 and educated in his native country, where his marriage oc- curred. He and his wife had one child born in Germany, Helen, now the wife of Frank Willer, living on West Grand Avenne, Springfield.

In 1851 John F. Neuman brought his wife and their daughter to the United States. He came by way of the lakes to Chicago, and thence to Sangamon County, where he had friends. He made a permanent settlemeut in Springfield, and erected a substantial residence on Edwards Street. This house, which was built in 1855, was one of the earlier homes in the neighbor- hood. Later he erected another dwelling and eventually sold tbe remainder of his land there. He was a market gardener for many years and ou Sundays devoted his time to preaching. He helped organize the German Baptist Church in

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Springfield aud temporarily filled its pulpit. He belouged to an old and highly respected German family and after coming to Spriugfield was much esteemed for his piety and public spirit. He was a Republican in political belief but in local affairs voted for the man he con- sidered best fitted to hold office. He never cared for public honors for himself, and was well satisfied to live in accordance with his ideal of an upright, private citizen. He died in May, 1898, at the age of eighty-four years. He and his wife had four children after they came to Springfield, namely : John C .; H. Fre- derick, who is married and has five children; two who died young. The mother died in 1857 and she and her husband are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, lying side by side.

John C. Neuman attended the public schools of Springfield until about twelve years of age, then served an apprenticeship to the trade of printer in the office of the Iilinois State Dem- ocrat, a German paper. After remalning there one year he went to Cincinnati and secured a position as compositor for the Baptist Publica- tion Society, remaining there one year. He then returned to Springfield and learned the trade of tinsmith under the direction of C. H. Edmands, with whom he remained for a period of sixteen years, during ten years of which he was foreman of the tinsmith department, where tinware, roofing and gutters were manufactured. Upon leaving the employ of Mr. Edmands, Mr. Neuman engaged in business on his own ac- count, forming a partnership with O. A. Mel- cher, under the firm name of Neuman & Mel- cher, which arrangement, continued six years. When they dissolved partnership in 18SS, Mr. Neuman remained In business at the old loca- tion until the building was destroyed by fire, and afterwards occupied several other stores. He came to his present place of business, in 1899. He has an extensive trade in ali kinds of tinware, roofing, gutters, and various kinds of piping. In 1902 he put in sixty furnaces and has since had a large patronage In this line. When he first began to sell them it was in a small way, putting in only a half-dozen the first year, but his trade steadily grew and he has carried the highest grade of furnaces and inakes a careful study of the needs of each building which he equips in this manner.

Mr. Newman's marriage occurred in 1876 at Alton, Ill., when he was united with Miss Mary E. Adams, a native of Fredericksburg, Md., born May 4, 1853, and brought in early child- hood to Alton, where she was educated. Her father was killed at the Battle of Missionary Ridge during the Civil War, but her mother still survives and lives iu Alton with a son and daughter. Mr. Newman and wife have four children : John A., a graduate of the Spring- field High School, works with his father; Lulu E., also a high school graduate, taught one year in the public school ; Edward W., a clerk in the First National Bank ; Bessie M., a student. Mr. Newman is a member of the Ceutral Baptist

Church aud his daughter Lulu has charge of the infant department of the Sunday School. He belongs to Capital Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; to the dramatic order of the Knights of Khoras- san ; Springfield Camp No. 14, Modern Woodmen of America, and to Capital Tent No. 1, Knights of the Maccabees. In politics he is an earnest Republican and has been actively Identified with public affairs since 1888. He lived for twelve years in the Second Ward in Springfield, tben moved to 321 South Douglas Avenue, which is his present address, and was elected from this ward in 1899 as a member of the City Council, being reelected in 1901 and again in 1903. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Streets and Alleys and later on the Committees on the City Water, Street Lighting, Public Grounds and Buildings, Manufactories and Industries, aud in these various capacitles used his influ- ence for the benefit of the public weifare and for any movement he considered would advance the interests of all. He was well known for his up- rigbt dealing in public matters and gave the city good service. He is well known as a busi- ness man of Integrity and problty and has a good reputation in tile various circles where he is known.

In 1874 Mr. Newman became a member of Company C of the Governor's Guard and served - three years. His older son is now a member of Company C, of the Illlnols National Guard. The family are prominent socially and have a large circie of friends.

NEVIUS, Joseph 0 .- In looking for a reason for personal success, the seeker invariably finds that the men who rise above their fel- iows are those who have kept everlastingly at what they started out to accomplish, and through sheer perseverance surmount all ob- stacles and finally reach their goal. These are the kind of men who have brought Sangamon County to its present state of prosperity, and a prominent man amoug them is Joseph O. Nevius, who is carrying on agricultural and stock-raising business adjoining the village of Loami on the south. Mr. Nevius was born August 25, 1868, In Calhoun County, Ill., a son of John and May E. (Joy) Nevius, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of West Virginia.

John Nevius came to Macoupin County, Ill., with his parents, but on account of the wiid state of the prairies and swamps there at that time, the grandfather left Macoupin and set- tled in the timber of Calhoun County, where he planted extensive orchards of all kinds of fruit. became weli-to-do and resided there all of his life, dying when about seventy years of age. John Nevlus remained on the farm with his father until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he crossed the river and joined the Seventy-second Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, and, having been prepared for the practice of medicine. was made Assistant Regimental Surgeou. Having

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been captured by the enemy and thrown Into prison, he contracted a chronic diarrhea, which so impaired his health that, after he had been exchanged, he received an honorable discharge on account of disability. On partially recover- ing his health, he located on Lick Creek and rented some land in Loami Township, but not having the strength to farm hls land, he en- gaged in school teaching. Shortly after com- ing to Loaml Township he was married to Miss May E. Joy, and went to Caihonn Connty, where he remained until the spring of 1869, in that year returning to Sangamon Connty, where shortly after his death occurred. His widow survived him until December 12, 1SS1, dying in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both she and her husband had been lifelong members. Three children were born to this couple: Nellie, the wife of Henry J. Brown, a farmer of Talkington Town- ship; Joseph O .; and Nora, the wife of W. F. Cleveland, a broker of Minneapolis, Minu.

Joseph O. Nevius was but one year old when his father died, of whom he consegnentiy has no remembrance, although he treasures a tin-type or him taken in military uniform, some small surgical instruments and his meerschaum pipe. His boyhood days were spent in Loaml Town- ship, where he attended the public schools un- til thirteen years of age, and then hired out at $8.00 per month to herd cattle for I. H. Campbell, continuing this employment for seven years, and carefully saving his wages. Ou ac- connt of ill health, Mr. Campbeli broke np his home and went west, and in February, 1SS9, Mr. Nevius made a trip to Portland, Ore., where he went to work on a farm and ranch, en- gaged in herding cattle for $40 per month. In May, 1892, he returned to Ililnois, went to work on a farm and on October 3, 1894, was married to Miss Edith Campbeli, who was born in Loami Township, March 6, 1875, a daughter of S. P. and Kate Campbell, honored pioneers of Sangamon County. She died March 30, 1896, havlug been the mother of one child, a daughter, Lonely, born June 16, 1895. This daughter is being given superior educational advantages, and is now attending the Bettie Stuart Institute at Springfield, after having passed through the seventh grade in the gram- mar schooi. She has been given a mnslcai training, Is a talented violinist, and sings in the choir of the Christian Church, of which she is a faithfni member.

After his first marriage Mr. Nevins located on his wife's mother's estate. On March 10, 1909, he was united In marriage with Miss May Dodd, who was born in Sangamon Conn- ty, Iil., a daughter of Theodore Dodd, one of the ploneers of the connty, and now a farmer in Curran Township. They have one son, Joinll G., born August 25, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Nevins located on the beautiful home at the sontli end of the village of Loami, which Mr. Nevius' daughter owns, and here they have resided to the present time. Mr. Nevius has twenty-

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 111

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774