Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 108

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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Frithiof Nelson was married at Batavia, Ill., January 31, 1894, to Emma M. Hobler, born in that city, December 30, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two daughters, namely : Katherine and Elizabeth, both of whom are at home. Mr. Nelson belongs to the Masonic order, the Elks, and the Rockford Country Club. In politics he is a Republican.

The Rockford commercial interests are agree- ably affected by the working of the Forest City Knitting Company for employment is given to 150 persons, and the output is about 3,000 dozen pairs of socks per day. The brothers are well known and stand very high in the community.

NELSON, John, page 706.

NELSON, Nels, foreman of the shipping depart- ment of the National Mirror Works, with residence at No. 1512 Seventeenth street, is one of the highly respected and reliable men of Rockford, whose services to his company are appreciated at their true value. He was born in Norway, July 21, 1SS8. When he was ten years old he was brought to the United States, and had no educational advantages after arriv- ing in this country. For two years he was at Chicago and then assisted an uncle until 1905 in conducting a real estate business. In 1905 Mr. Nelson came to Rockford and took a posi- tion with the National Mirror Works as a gla- zier and in 1907 was promoted to his present position. In that same year he returned to Norway and spent about five months visiting his parents who still make their home in Nor- way. On returning to Rockford, he resumed his connections with the National Mirror Works, which he still maintains. Mr. Nelson is unmar- ried. He belongs to the Norwegian Society. Alert, energetic and a hard worker, Mr. Nelson has fairly earned his promotion and stands well with his associates and his company.

NELSON, William, president of the Rockford Drilling Machine Company, president of the Forest City Knitting Company, and a stock- holder in various other companies of Rockford, has withdrawn from active part in business, but is widely known throughout the state. He was born at Sycamore, Ill., October 29, 1857, a son of John and Eva C. Nelson, natives of Sweden.

William Nelson was educated in the pub- lic schools of Rockford, and also had the ad- vantage of a short course at the Rockford Academy. His business experience began when

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

he was engaged by Burson & Nelson as a machine operator, and he continued in the em- ploy of this concern until 1879, when he went iuto business with F. R. Brown, the association contiuuiug for about eighteeu months, at the expiration of which period the new concern was consolidated with that of Bursou & Nelsou, and incorporated as the Nelson Knitting Company, with F. R. Browu as president, and A. S. Ruhl as secretary and treasurer. Iu 1898 Mr. Nelson founded the Rockford Drilling Machine Com- pany,

The marriage of William Nelson took place at Rockford, October 7, 1889, when he was united to Olivia Olson, who was born July 20, 1867, and died January 15, 1905, Their children were as follows : Eva L., who married Lee Daniels, has one sou, Lee N., born October 6, 1915; Elsie C .; William ; Hildiug and Dorethea, all of whom are at home. Mr. Nelson belongs to the Elks and also to the Masous, in which order he has at- tained the thirty-second degree. In politics he is a Republican. During the administration of Governor Yates Mr. Nelson was honored by appointment on his staff, with the rank of colonel.

NESVANT, Oscar, now associated with the Workers Grocery Company at No. 321 Seventh street, Rockford, is a man who has risen through his own indomitable efforts and who, while gaining material recognition, has not neglected to establish and maintain high standards of business honesty. He was born in Westergot- land, Sweden, March 30, 1876, a son of August and Sophia (Swenson) Nesvant, who were born also in Westergotland. There they were farm- ing people all their lives, as were the Swensons. The paternal grandfather, Johan Frederick Nes- vant, was a manufacturing coppersmith, and was prominent in his town, becoming an alder- man. He died in Westergotland, Sweden. August Nesvant and wife both died in Sweden, he in 1897, aged sixty-eight years, and she in 1894, aged forty-six years, having spent their entire lives in their native land.

Oscar Nesvant worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty years old, or until 1897, when he left Sweden for the United States. Upon his arrival he came to Rockford and worked for the first three years as a farm hand, and for the next few years worked for various furniture factories. He then went with the Scandia Hardware Company, and remained with this concern for six years, gaining a valuable amount of business experience, and that led to his being offered a position with Carsons & Sons Hardware Company. He accepted this offer and remained with the company for two years, and then took charge of the Workers Grocery Com- pany in 1913, becoming its treasurer, general manager and a stockholder. The company was incorporated October 27, 1906, and now owns both lot and building occupied by the business, and a very large and valuable trade is con- trolled. Mr. Nesvant belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Vikings, the

latter a Swedish insurance society, and is held in the highest esteem in both organizations.

NEUMEISTER, Anton. Some of the substan- tial business men of Rockford have passed away, but they left behind an honorable record which redounds to their credit and adds prestige to their city. One of the men who attained to notable distinction at Rockford was the late Antou Neumeister, manufacturer of carriages and wagons. He was born November 27, 1837, at Furstendum Reuss, Germany, a son of Frederick and Rosena (Sack) Neumeister.

Frederick Neumeister was born at the same place as his son, aud there became a manufac- turer of bar rails, and he also operated ore inines in conjunction with his steel mills, he hav- ing learned his business from his father, who had been engaged in the same line. In December, 1848, he sold his plant to relatives, and came to tlie United States with his family. After his arrival in America, he located at Thiensville, Wis., where he bought a small farm and built a log house and barn on it. There he lived until his death in 1860, when he was seventy years old. His wife survived him and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. August Rentel- men, at Milwaukee, Wis. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and wife were consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

Antou Neumeister spent his boyhood in Ger- many and Wisconsin, and attended school, and as soon as he was old enough he learned the wagonmaking trade and also the blacksmith trade at Hamilton, Wis., where he remained for a time, and then began working for a Mr. Dueve at Downsville, Wis. After two years there lie went to Madison, Wis., and worked for a Mr. Lamp for four years. In 1863 Mr. Neu- meister enlisted for service in the Civil war, in Company I, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and continued until the war was over, when he was honorably discharged, aud returued home in 1865. During the battle of Lookout Mountain he was wounded in the left arm. His brother Julius was a soldier in the same regi- ment.

After his return from military service, Mr. Neumeister remained at Downsville, Wis., for a short time, and then settled at Rockford, Ill., where he worked for his brother August, as a wagonmaker and blacksmith for two years. He then bought his brother's business, which was then located on State street, by the river, and remained at that stand for two years, and then built a brick building on N. Madison street. It was a two-story structure with a frontage of 66 feet, and a depth of 80 feet. Here he also operated a paint shop, and built up a fine busi- ness. At the time of his death, which occurred at his residence at No. 115 N. Madison street, Rockford, February 20, 1900, when he was sixty- three years old, he was one of the leaders in his line in Winnebago County, Fraternally he was a Mason, while his political affiliations were with the Republican party. St. Paul's Lutheran

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Church at Rockford held his religious mem- bership.

In 1869 Mr. Neumeister was married to Miss Theresa Steps, at Milwaukee, Wis., and they have one child, Frederick, who married Miss Bertha Labuz. He is managing the business of his late father, for his mother, and since taking hold he has added a garage and automobile department, which is proving profitable. Mrs. Neumeister is a daughter of Frederick and Rosina (Frank) Steps, the former of whom was born in Germany, where he was educated. Later he engaged in farming with his father and also operated flour and lumber mills. After they sold these they came to the United States, the voyage, in a sailing vessel, consuming eight weeks and three days. From New York City they went to Downsville, Wis., where Frederick Steps bought a small farm and lived until his death, in 1854, at the age of fifty-four years. Mrs. Steps died February 15, 1900, aged eighty- six years.

NEVIUS, Garrett, page 708.

NEVIUS, Garrett L., foreman of the cabinet department of the Rockford Frame and Fixture Company, of which he is also a stockholder, is one of the best examples Rockford affords of the thrifty, expert workman who has risen from humble beginnings to independent means. He was born at Rockford, July 30, 1871, and here educated. He is a son of the late Winfield L. Nevius, one of Rockford's pioneer ice men, and a nephew of Col. Garrett L. Nevius, who was killed at Vicksburg during the Civil war, and after whom G. A. R. Post No. 1 was named. Ex- tended mention of Colonel Nevius is made in the historical part of this work.

Garrett L. Nevius' first individual effort to- wards self support was made on his uncle's farm, where he remained for three years, at the same time continuing his studies. Following that he worked at the carpenter trade for four seasons, and then became a cabinetmaker for the Royal Mantel Company. In 1898 he entered into his connection with his present company, as a cabinetmaker, and proved himself so efficient and reliable that in 1914 he was made foreman of his department, a position he continues to hold.

On November 23, 1893, Mr. Nevius was mar- ried, at Rockford, to May H. Waddell, of Rock- ford. Mr. Nevius belongs to the Royal League and enjoys his association in this order. The Centennial Methodist Church of Rockford holds his membership. In politics he is a Republican and he has been a school director. The family residence is at No. 6 Twenty-fourth street, and Mr. Nevius owns this property and takes pride in keeping it up to date and comfortable. A hardworking, thrifty and capable man, Mr. Nevius is deservedly ranked among the repre- sentative men of Rockford.

NEWTON, Julian E., is one of the most ac- tively engaged men of Winnebago Village, deal-

ing as he does in agricultural implements, auto- inobiles, operating a threshing machine during the season, and conducting a feed mill in the winter. He was born in Seward Township, Win- nebago County, Ill., January 1, 1855, and is a son of Pliny Z. and Martha (Phelps) Newton. His paternal grandparents were Ziba and Martha (Burnapp) Newton, of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and the maternal grandparents were Silas and Clarinda (Williams) Phelps, who came from Ohio to Winnebago County in 1850, settling in Seward Township.

Pliny Z. Newton was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., November 23, 1830, and there was rcared to manhood. His mother died in 1850, and in 1852, accompanied by his father, he came to Winnebago County, and soon after his ar- rival purchased 120 acres of land in Seward Township, on which he made all of the improve- ments, developing his farm into a very valuable one, and there he resided until 1885 when he moved to the village ot Winnebago. Here he en- gaged in an undertaking business which he con- ducted until 1909, when he retired. He still makes his home at Winnebago. His children are as follows : Julian E., who owns the old Dunk- ley homestead ; Almon D., who resides on the Newton homestead, which he owns; and Alba, of Kirkland.

Julian E. Newton was reared in his native township, and received his educational training in the public schools of Winnebago. After at- taining his majority he cmbarked in a livery business at Winnebago, and also in a furniture and undertaking business with his brother, A. D. This was continued until 1885, but since that date Julian E. Newton has been engaged as de- scribed in the opening paragraph, with the ex- ception of the automobile branch, which he opened up in 1911 to meet a positive demand. At present he represents the Richmond Car Company, of Richmond, Ind. He has added the handling of furnaces to his other activities.

In January, 1902, Mr. Newton was married to Miss Jessie E. Seaton, a daughter of William and Martha Seaton of Seward Township. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have one son, Lloyd G. As indicated, Mr. Newton is one of the energetic business men of Winnebago. In politics he is a Republican, but is not an aspirant for public honors.

NICHOLSON, Enoch, president and manager of the Skandia Hardware Company of Rockford, is one of the men of Swedish birth who has found in this city congenial surroundings and ample opportunities to develop those business traits which appear to be possessed by so many from that northland. He was born in Kolaby- Westergotland, Sweden, July 11, 1866, a son of Per August and Anna Kajsa (Hokanson) Nikolousson.

Per August Nicholson was a man of deter- mined mind and broad outlook, who was fear- less in the expression of his views and his upholding of what he believed to be right. His stand upon many public questions, and his

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prominence as a bridge contractor, made him enemies. His work in bridge building was of such a substantial nature that many of the stone bridges erected by him will outlast the storms and stress of the ages. His prominence, however, caused him to be attacked while jour- neying alone, and he received injuries and suf- fered from exposure to such an extent that his death ensued in February, 1875. After his demise, liis wife returned to the farm her hus- band owned and had rented out, and lived on it until 1892, when she sold this property, came to America and resided with her son. She passed away November 25, 1914.

Enoch Nicholson attended the public schools of his native place where he lived until he was twenty years old, at which time he came to the United States and located at Rockford and worked for neighboring farmers for three years, and also had two years' experience as delivery driver for the Palmer Hardware Company. In 1892, with Andrew Hanson, Edward Ekstedt and Carl A. Newberry, he founded the Skandia Hardware Company, with a capital stock of $12,000. The first officials were: S. A. John- son, president ; Andrew Hanson, secretary ; August P. Floberg, treasurer, and Sanford Olson, manager ; while the board of directors was com- posed in addition to the above, of the follow- ing: O. B. Harding, Gust Johnson, C. Abeson, J. P. Nordholm, Anton Carlson. The present officers are: Enoch Nicholson, president and manager ; Andrew T. Boden, vice president, and J. T. Peters, secretary and treasurer, while in addition to the above officials, the board of directors is composed of the following: O. B. Harding, Anton Carlson, J. T. Peters, Andrew T. Boden, August P. Floberg, and Otto John- son. The purpose of the organization was to found a general retail hardware store in con- nection with a tin shop. The stock includes all kinds of tools and shelf hardware, furnaces and stoves and kitchen ware. The company pur- chased the building which is three stories in height. 44 x 110 feet, from Babcock & Snyder in 1902, and the new addition, 22 x 110 feet was bought in 1907 from J. F. Benson, all of the space being occupied for business purposes except four residence flats in the old building. Mr. Nicholson was made manager of this com- pany in 1904, and has had charge of affairs ever since.

In 1895 Mr. Nicholson was married to Alice Lorena Stromerts, a daughter of Theodore and Paulina (Hollem) Stromerts, and they have eight children as follows :. Wilma Julia, Elsinoir Florence, Ahlex Enoch, Rozelle Alice, Ellen Linnea, Melvin Nicholas Sedric, Verna Lucile, and Gladys Jeanette. Mr. Nicholson belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the North Star Benefit Association, and has been its president since its organization fifteen years ago. He belongs to the Illinois Association of the New Jerusalem Church. In his heart he is a believer in the efficacy of faith. He is a most estimable man in every respect and is held in

the highest esteem by all who are associated with him.

NORDSTROM, Charles Franc. The introduction and adoption of cement as a building material has resulted in the development of large busi- ness interests along this line and afforded a de- sirable field for the operations of some of the most substantial men of the country. One of those who are manufacturing cement products upon a large scale in Winnebago County, is Charles Franc Nordstrom, of Rockford. He was born in Sweden, October 13, 1847, and lived in his native land until seventeen years old. At that time he came to the United States, starting on his birthday on a steamer, and after landing, came to Illinois where he located at Paxton. Although still a youth, he had learned the trade of a carpenter, and found work at this in his new home.

After three years spent at Paxton, Mr. Nord- strom came to Rockford, and went to work for the first furniture factory established in this city. While in its employ he met with an acci- dent which resulted in the loss of one of his thumbs. After some years with this concern, Mr. Nordstrom engaged with the Forest City Furniture Company, and later with the Co- operative factory, being a stockholder of the latter, and remained with it until he was ap- pointed street commissioner by Mayor Sherrett, which office he held for two years, when he be- came assistant superintendent of streets. When Mayor Hutchins was elected, he made Mr. Nord- strom superintendent of streets, and he held this important office for six years, being re-appointed by Mayor Brown. It was while he was in this office that Rockford began macadamizing its streets. In order to do this, Mr. Nordstrom bought a quarry stone crusher and a steam roller, the first possessed by the city. It was he who introduced modern methods and ma- chinery into the street department, and the present fine streets are due to his efforts. In 1903 Mr. Nordstrom was elected county commis- sioner holding that office for years, his services to this locality having been very valuable. In 1898 Mr. Nordstrom established his present ce- ment business, being assisted by his sons. They produce everything that modern mortar ma- chinery will manufacture in cement and granite work, and are manufacturers only, shipping ex- tensively to other cities.

In 1878 Mr. Nordstrom was married at Rock- ford to Gustava Matilda Berggren, a daughter of John Berggren. Mr. and Mrs. Nordstrom be- came the parents of five children, as follows: Ellen, who is deceased; Jennie Matilda, who is also deceased ; Eben E .; Edith, who is Mrs. Her- man Grant; and Martin V. Mr. Nordstrom is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rock- ford, of which he has been a trustee for many years. This church has the largest congregation of any Lutheran Church in America.

NORDVALL, C. Arthur, whose realty operations have given him a place among the progressive

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men of Rockford who are engaged very suc- cessfully in boosting this city and making its many advantages known to outsiders, and in maintaining its prestige, is conveniently located at No. 315 Seventh street, while his residence is R. R. No. 9, North Second road.

Mr. Nordvall was born at Rockford, Decem- ber 15, 1886, and was educated in the schools of this city. Early entering the business world, he was first a shipping clerk in a manufacturing concern, and as he was promoted was held to be a valuable man. In the meanwhile he was studying values and learning all he could about Rockford realty, and in 1908 established himself in a real estate business. He handles principally east side and Seventh street business property, and he owns several valuable factory buildings. Many of the Seventh street business blocks have been developed by Mr. Nordvall. He has been especially active in Highland, erecting a number of residences on lots which he sold for perma- nent homes. He also built plants for small in- dustrial concerns, and some of them that had their beginnings in his section, later developed to such proportions as to necessitate their mov- ing to larger quarters. Keeping thoroughly abreast of the times, Mr. Nordvall is a member of the Seventh Street Business Men's Associa- tion, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rock- ford Real Estate Board. Fraternally he belongs to the Moose and the Svea Soner. A Repub- lican, he belongs to and is secretary of the Swedish-American Republican Club, and the Young Men's Republican Club.

In 1911 Mr. Nordvall was married at Rock- ford, to Alice Swanson, born January 29, 1890, at Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Nordvall have a daughter, Marjorie A., who was born Septem- ber 11, 1914.

NORDVALL, Gustave A., foreman in charge of the city repair work is one of the efficient men whose services the municipality of Rockford is fortunate in securing. He was born in Smolan, Sweden, February 6, 1857, a son of Adolph and Anna (Carlson) Nordvall. The parents were natives of the same place, where the father died in 1865, aged forty years.

In 1879 Gustave A. Nordvall came to the United States and located at Rockford, where he was engaged with the Price glove factory for a short time, and then worked with a Mr. Knowlton as a blacksmith for three years, and also assisted him in the manufacture of reapers. Mr. Nordvall was then with the S. B. Wilkins woolen mills for seven years, when he went into a milk business and conducted it for one year. He then worked at the carpenter trade for the next four years with Carl Newberg, when he was appointed to his present position by City Engineer Main, succeeding executives reap- pointing him, he having held this position for over twenty-three years, a fact that speaks for itself as to his efficiency.

In 1882 Mr. Nordvall was married to Miss Emma Johnson, a daughter of John and Louise (Jacobson) Johnson of Smolan, Sweden, she

having left Sweden and come to Rockford in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Nordvall have become the parents of six children, namely : C. Arthur, Ernest F., Edith C., Esther M., Roy N., and Howard J. Mr. Nordvall is a Republican. He and his wife are consistent members of the Swedish Mission Church. In 1891 Mr. Nordvall made a trip back to Sweden and upon his re- turn brought his widowed mother with him, she later dying at the home of his sister, aged ninety-one years.

NORRLANDER, Verner, proprietor of the Globe Grocery at No. 622 Seventh street, Rockford, has developed a business that brings in gratifying returns and proves him a man of unusual ability and excellent judgment. He was born at West- ergotland, Sweden, February 19, 1871, a son of Adolph and Sofie Norrlander, natives of Wester- gotland, Sweden, farming people who never left their native land, the father dying there in 1893, aged fifty-eight years, and the mother dying in 1913, aged eighty years. Her people were also farmers.

Verner Norrlander attended the public schools of his native place, and when he was nineteen years old he came to the United States, locating at Rockford where he obtained employment in the South Rockford stone quarry, and remained there for a shore time, leaving to go with the Rockford Street Railway Company. This cor- poration was extending its lines on the different streets, and Mr. Norrlander labored for them in this construction work. He then was with the Rockford Chair Factory until 1893 when the plant was closed on account of business depres- sion. In this year Mr. Norrlander went with the Northwestern Railroad Company at Boone, Iowa, and for seventeen months was engaged there in construction work on railroad bridges. Once more coming to Rockford, he was em- ployed by the West End Furniture Company, having charge of the rip saw. Soon thereafter he became a clerk in the grocery of Gustefson & Gesslander, for a short time, and then engaged with Claus Bangstrom as a grocery clerk. After four years he left Mr. Bangstrom to establish a business of his own, which he has developed into one of the largest grocery houses on the street, his long experience proving very valu- able. Outside of his business and his home, Mr. Norrlander has few interests, but he belongs to the Lyron Singing Society and is a thirty- second degree Mason. In politics he is a Re-

publican.

In November, 1900, Mr. Norrlander was mar- ried to Miss Hilma Stonewall, then of Peca- tonica Township, a daughter of John and Jo- hanna Stonewall, natives of Sweden. The father died there in 1904, having been an extensive farmer. The mother came to Rockford after the death of the father, and is now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Norrlander. Mr. and Mrs. Norrlander had one child, Hilda, who died aged six months.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 108

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972