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Source:
History of Western Ohio & Auglaize County
with
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of
Pioneer and Prominent Public Men
by C. W. Williamson
Columbus, Ohio
Press of W. M. Linn & Sons
1905
BIOGRAPHIES
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FERDINAND HENRY LOUIS
NIETER was born in Hanover, Germany, Apr. 26th, 1832.
Garrett H. Nietter, his father, was a native of the same
country, and was foreman of seven teams engaged in hauling goods
from Berlin to Hanover. He followed that business until
September, 1834, when he decided to try his fortune in the
States. He took passage at Bremen, and at the end of
thirteen weeks entered the harbor of New York. From there
he went by the Lakes to Toledo, and thence to New Bremen by
wagons, making that long distance through the woods. At
that time there were three log cabins in New Bremen.
Mr. Nieter purchased forty acres of land, and three years
later, built a rude log cabin. Eighty acres more were
purchased in Shelby county two years later, and Mr. Nieter
began working on the canal south of Troy, to earn a living for
himself and family. In 1842, while attempting to place
some barrels in the loft in his cabin, he fell to the floor
below and fractured his skull, living only about four hours
after the accident. He was forty-five years of age and had
always been strong and hearty, never having taken any medicine.
In his native country, he had married Miss Monie Gusky, a
native of Hanover, Germany, who died in 1850. Seven
children were born to them. One died on the ocean, and
four are now living.
The original of this notice was the third in the order
of birth of these children, and was reared in New Bremen from
the age of two years. He attended the early subscription
schools here, and his first teacher received eight dollars per
month and boarded himself. The school house was a rude log
structure with slab seats and all other home-made furniture of
that day, and in that primitive building he was instructed in
the three R's until fourteen years of age. The story of
the life of his pioneer is a record of successful contest with
poverty and hardships, and the acquisition of a handsome
property by means of honest industry. He left home when
fifteen years of age to carve out his own fortune, went to
Dayton and for six months worked for four collars per month in
the Montgomery Hotel, returning home sick at the end of that
time. Afterward, he worked for a farmer for a short time,
receiving eight dollars per month for his services.
In 1848, Mr. Neiter began learning the cooper's
trade and received fifteen dollars for the first year of his
apprenticeship. On the 16th of August, 1849, he began
working for Fred Speckman, who was then engaged in the
cooper business, and remained with him until 1851, when he was
seized with the gold fever. He determined to go to
California, but before he could arrange his financial affairs,
he was taken sick with typhoid fever and for two months his life
hung by a thread. Upon his recovery he was obliged to
abandon his plan of going to California and, accordingly, he
embarked in business at home. In 1852, he purchased the
cooper shop, including the residence of Mr. Speckman for
thirteen hundred dollars, and he and that gentleman entered into
partnership under the firm name of Speckman & Nieter.
They manufactured all kinds of barrels until 1864, and met with
flattering success. In April of the last mentioned year,
they started a small grocery store and saloon, and engaged in
auctioneering, being the only men in that locality who were
first class auctioneers. They also dealt in notes, etc.
In 1876, Mr. Speckman and his son Fred,
engaged in the dry goods business, and in 1881, our subject
became a partner, the firm name being Speckman, Son & Co.
The firm also dealt in grain and pork, and had a very
flourishing business, owning four farms of three hundred acres,
in partnership, beside the saloon property in town. On the
26th of April, 1855, Mr. Nieter married Miss Maria S.
Hellbush, a native of German township, Auglaize county, and
of German parentage; her parents coming from Hanover, Germany,
to this country. Eleven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Nieter. Those now living are Anna, wife of
Peter Erb, an agricultural implement dealer of
Cincinnati; William, a member of the firm of Speckman,
Goll & Co.; Clara in Springfield, Ohio;
Valerins, Ferdinand and Emma, who are at home.
Four are dead, the eldest being two years of age.
In politics Mr. Nieter wa a stalwart
Democrat, and was an influential man in the ranks of his party.
He was elected recorder of the village before he was twenty-one
years of age. He served as clerk for two years and mayor
five years. He was elected justice of the peace of German
township and discharged the duties of that office for over
thirty years. He and Mrs. Nieter were active
members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Nieter died May 31st, 1904.
(From Portrait and Biographical Record)
Source: History of Western Ohio & Auglaize County -
by C. W. Williamson - Columbus, Ohio - Press of W. M. Linn &
Sons - 1905 - Page 821 |
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ELISHA
NOBLE was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1782
and emigrated to Ohio in 1808. He settled in Clinton
county, and later, moved to Mercer county, where he became a
prominent and influential citizen. "Tradition has it that
the Noble family originated in America from three
brothers of the name, who emigrated from England in Colonial
times, one settling in New York, another in Maryland, and the
third in Virginia." From them has sprung a numerous
family.
Mr. Elisha Noble was an active participant in
the War of 1812. He was present at the siege of Fort Meigs
and at the battle of Thames. He purchased land in Wayne
township, afterward Noble township in Auglaize county. He
served as commissioner for six years in Mercer county, and after
the erection of Auglaize county was (in 1850) elected
commissioner of the new county. It is said that the pay he
received as commissioner was scarcely sufficient to pay his land
tax.
His death occurred in 1864.
Source: History of Western Ohio & Auglaize County - by C.
W. Williamson - Columbus, Ohio - Press of W. M. Linn & Sons -
1905 - Page 797 - Noble Twp. |
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