THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
N
(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHI HISTORY - LETTER - N)
MRS. ROSANNA NEFF (Tully Township) is the widow of Godfrey Neff, who was the son of Michael and Rosanna Neff, originally from Germany. He was born on ship while his parents were coming to America in 1818. Mrs. Neff's maiden name was Mutchler. Her parents came from Germany also, about 1825. In 1834, when Mrs. N. was only eight years old, her parents died, both the same day. Mr. and Mrs. Neff were married February 26, 1846. having spent two years near home in Pennsylvania. They emigrated near Sandusky Plains, "but moved to their present place in the spring of 1849; here they purchased eighty acres, to which ninety-seven have since been added. Mr. N. cleared in his day some seventy-five acres. Nine children were born to this couple -Mary, A., wife of Peter Christman; Jacob (deceased); John, a carpenter; Elizabeth, wife of Alfred Campbell; Samuel, a school teacher; Catherine C., an excellent musician; Joseph W.. caring for the home place; Emma and William N. The father was removed by death in 1875, aged fifty-seven years.
CONRAD NEIMEYER, (Prospect Township) hardware merchant, Prospect Village, was born in Prospect, August 24, 1853, and is a son of Reuben Neimeyer, mentioned elsewhere. He learned the carpenter's trade from his father, with whom he remained until the age of twenty-two years. He was married to Sarah Lake, of Richwood, a daughter of Isaac Lake; subsequently he followed carpentering and building, and in 1880 he entered in the hardware business, and in 1881 formed a partnership with W. H. Lake in the same business at Prospect, which continued until January 1883, when it was dissolved, Mr. Neimeyer, however, continuing the business alone. He is still engaged in building. During the past four years, he has erected five fine buildings, costing from $1,000 to $3,500 each. The best one he now occupies as a residence. His sales in the hardware business average about $6,000 annually. His success is somewhat remarkable, as four years ago he commenced with a capital of only $20. His prosperity is wholly due to his own energy and business tact. In politics, Mr. Neimeyer is a Democrat.
REUBEN NEIMEYER, (Prospect Township) carpenter and builder, was born in Macungie Township, Lehigh County, Penn., January 27, 1823. His parents names were Conrad and Lydia (Diefenderfer) Neimeyer, both natives of Macungie Township. The grandfather of our subject was born on the sea while his parents were emigrating from Germany. They settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution. The parents of our subject died on the old farm in Pennsylvania where he was born. They had twelve children, as follows: Charles, George, Jacob, Isaac, Reuben, John, Henry, Andrew, Susannah, Catharine, Lydia -and Elizabeth. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm; at the age of twenty years he went to learn the carpenter's trade, and has been engaged at that business ever since. He came to Prospect Village April 8, 1853, bringing his wife and children, and has continued to reside here ever since. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and a greatly respected citizen.
HENRY W. NESBITT (Claridon Township) is a native of Northumberlandshire, England; was born November 28, 1834. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Grubb) Nesbitt, who sailed for America in 1842, locating in Marion County, purchasing land in Claridon Township. Mr. Nesbitt was born July 15, 1801, and died December 31, 1876. Mrs. N. survives, and is a resident of the same township. Our subject was married, September 6, 1861, to Sarah E. Irey, and two children were born to them-Elizabeth, born October 6, 1862, the wife of David Hinds; one is deceased. Mrs. Nesbitt died May 1, 1865, He again married, November 23, 1866, Mary G. Fell, and one child was born to this union-Mary E., born July 16, 1867. Mrs. N. died three days later. Mr. Nesbitt consummated his third marriage, January 14, 1869, with Cassandra Wortman, a daughter of Joshua Wortman. Six children have crowned this marriage, four of whom are living-William H., born April 5, 1874; Alice, December 14, 1875; Ethel, June 25, 1880, and Elsie C., October 11, 1882. Mabel, born April 5, 1872, died September 19, 1873; an infant daughter died unnamed. Mr. N. has devoted his life principally to agriculture. He has 140 acres of well-tilled land. which he values at $70 per acre. He has been a resident of the township since 1842. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a Republican in sentiment.
CHARLES NEUBAUER (Richland Township) was born April 9, 1842, in Saxony, Germany, and having obtained a fair education, he acquired a knowledge of stone masonry. When aged eighteen years, he sailed for America, and stopped at Columbus, Ohio, working by the day and month, until 1862, when he came to Richland Township. He first purchased twenty acres, for which he paid $1,000. But he and his wife at present own 240 acres of good land, which he keeps in excellent repair. He already has out 1,100 rods of tile; he values his place at $90 per acre, and anticipates building in the immediate future. November 12, 1862, our subject married Hannah, daughter of William Baechler, and the names of their four children are Frederick, Mary Emma and Charles. Mr. N. is a Democrat, and he and his family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In money-making, Mr. N. has made a success, for he came to this country with nothing, and is worth today $25,000.
JOHN NICKELSON (Pleasant Township) was born February 7, 1820, in Juniata County, Penn., son of James and Catharine Nickelson, who came to Ohio in 1821, settling the following year where our subject now resides, having entered eighty acres of land. The father died in 1822; leaving the mother with three children; she died in 1875, aged seventy-eight. John Nickelson's grandfather came from Ireland, and his grandmother from Holland. He obtained his education in the log schoolhouse. January 4, 1849, he married Marv E. Sanford, daughter of Amass. Sanford. Five children blessed this union-Ira J., Martha A. (wife of H. R. Van Houton), Almira (deceased), John H. and Sarah M. (wife of Robert Williams, of Missouri). Mrs. Nickelson's death occurred in 1882. Mr. N., receiving by inheritance forty acres, bought the rest of the old homestead, and also forty acres lying north of it, so that he has today 120 acres, valued at $80 per acre, His house was built in 1853; in fact, he has made all the improvements and cleared forty acres of forest land in his time. His farm is well drained. When in his prime, our subject often cradled four to four and a half acres of wheat daily. He has been Trustee of Pleasant Township twenty years. He is a member of the IOOF, at Prospect, Ohio, and has been a stanch Democrat all his days.
C. H. NORRIS, (Marion Township) (1907) attorney, was born in Waldo Township September 29, 1849. When four years of age, his parents, Daniel and Rosanna (French) Norris, removed to Cardington, Morrow County, and resided there until 1866, when they came to Marion. Mr. Norris graduate at the Cardington High School in 1866, and the next year entered the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., and completed his course at that institution in June 1869. He was admitted to the bar at Dayton, Ohio, and in July was nominated for Prosecuting Attorney, which office he filled for eight consecutive years. In 1880, Mr. Norris was chosen by the Democratic party as a candidate for Congress, and, although defeated, he reduced the majority of his political opponent. Mr. Norris devotes his attention exclusively to his profession, and has been successful in its pursuits. He married Miss Isabella Prosser, daughter of Thomas Prosser, a highly respected citizen of Marion County. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have one child-Daniel P. Mr. Norris is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery of the Masonic order. In politics, he is it Democrat.
CHARLES NOYES, (Montgomery Township) was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 1, 1841, son of Charles and Susan (Fisher) Noyes, of Scotch, French and German ancestry, but natives of Ohio, and Massachusetts respectively. Our subject came to Marion County, in 1860, and married July 29, 1863, Miss Lydia Hastings, daughter of John and Jane Hastings, whose parents (Jane's) were of Irish descent. This union has resulted in the birth of seven children-Hiram M., Clarence S., Luther A., Edna E., Susan M., Magdalena J. and John C. Mr. Noyes commenced life for himself when aged fourteen year and so successful have been his efforts, that he owns today (1883) 160 acres of improved land, valued at $70 per acre. He makes a specialty of thoroughbred horses. Politically, he is an Independent voter.