Benton County >> 1878 Index

Unless otherwise specified, biographies submitted by Tierney Ratti.

Napier, Alex, farmer; P. O. Fairfax. (1878 Florence Township)

Narbee, Emanuel, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. La Porte City; born in Stephenson Co. Ill., in 1855; removed to Benton Co. in 1857; has 280 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Democratic in politics. (1878 Bruce Township)

Narber, Ellas, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Pennsylvania Sept. 8, 1844; came to this county in 1857; has 319 acres of land, valued at $10,000. Married Esther Phillips in 1868; she was born in Indiana, Nov. 26, 1850; mother of three children -- Clara, born Feb. 6, 1870; Laura, July 27, 1872, and infant, Jan. 20, 1878. Emigrated from Pennsylvania to Indiana; stayed there a short time, and then came to Stephenson Co., Ill., and from there came to this county. Mr. Narber 's principal business is stock; has a fine farm and good home. (1878 Canton Township)

Narber, George, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Oct. 23, 1820; came to this county in 1857; has 1,630 acres of land, valued at $46,000. Married Nancy Gordner; she was born in Lycoming Co., Penn.; mother of six children -- Ellis, born Aug. 8, 1844; Bartley, Nov. 16, 1846; Luther, April 11, 1852; Emanuel, March 24, 1855; Irvine, Dec. 31, 1857; Homer, Aug. 20, 1860. Emigrated to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1851; lived there six years, and then came to this county, where he has been engaged in and stock raising; raises on an average 9,000 bushels of corn yearly; turns off from forty to eighty head of cattle and from fifty to eighty head of hogs; raised one year 3,000 bushels of wheat, and sold it at $1.60, making $4,800; he is one of the largest landowners, probably, in the county, and amongst the wealthiest men. When he came here there were but few settlers between him and Blairstown. (1878 Canton Township)

Narber, Luther, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9; P. O. Vinton; born in Stephenson Co., Ill., April 11, 1852; came to this county in 1857; has 160 acres of land, valued at $6,400. Mr. Narber is a young man starting out; has a fine farm, good stock and stands well to be with the solid farmers of the county; has one of the finest groves in the township, of three acres; has a good spring in his hog yard, making one of the best places for raising pork. (1878 Eden Township)

Narbor, Emanuel, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. La Porte City. (1878 Bruce Township)

Nauman, J., dealer in hardware, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Neal, John, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Harrison Co., Va., Sept. 3, 1826; came to this county in June, 1856; has 174 acres of land, valued at $8,000. Is a member of the Baptist Church. For his first wife married Mary A. Maxson; she died in Oct., 1863; by her he had one son -- Simeon W., born 1854. For his second wife, married Eliza Maxson; she was born in Allen Co., Ohio; mother of one child -- Chalmer, born Sept. 13, 1873. Emigrated from Virginia when he was but a child not 2 years old; came to Champaign, Ohio; lived there six years; from there to Allen Co., Ohio; lived there twenty-one years; thence to this county; when he came here there was no house south of him in this township. Mr. Neal came here with a team and $113, and by hard work and economy has made a good home. (1878 Canton Township)

Neal, Simeon W., farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Nees, Ole O., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Robin. (1878 Fremont Township)

Neibes, J., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Luzerne. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Neisch, J., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Dryden. (1878 Kane Township)

Nelson, C., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Luzerne. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nelson, Carl, laborer, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nelson, G., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Florence. (1878 Florence Township)

Nelson, H. P., laborer, Luzerne. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nelson, J. A., proprietor of boot and shoe shop, Blairstown; was born in Mercer Co., Penn., 9 th of Jan., 1829; came from there to Peoria Co., Ill.; remained there until 1829; he then went to Colorado, where he remained until 1862; he then returned to Illinois, and lived in Peoria until 1864; then he moved to Moline, Ill., remaining there until March, 1865; he then moved to this town, where he has since followed his business of boot and shoemaking. He was a member of the Town Council, four years. Married Lucy A. Robinsaft, in Peoria Co., Ill., on the 28 th of April, 1858; she was born in the State of New York Aug. 8, 1834. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nelson, James, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Florence. (1878 Florence Township)

Nelson, John, horse dealer, P. O. Florence. (1878 Florence Township)

Nelson, John, Jr., laborer, Florence. (1878 Florence Township)

Nenaber, H., Jr., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Eden Township)

Nenaber, H., Sr., Sec. 33; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Eden Township)

Nenaber, Harmon, Sec. 33; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Eden Township)

Neubauer, S., farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Fairfax. (1878 Florence Township)

Nevin, J. R., farmer. (1878 Taylor Township)

Nevin, William, laborer; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Newell, Chauncey, farmer; P. O. La Porte City. (1878 Cedar Township)

Newell, L., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Mt. Auburn. (1878 Cedar Township)

Newland, James, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Newmeyer, H., farmer; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Newton, A., Justice of the Peace, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Newton, Isaac, laborer; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Newton, L. W., painter, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Newton, William, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Watkins. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Nibendah., W., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Irving. (1878 Kane Township)

Nicademus, C., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Fremont Township)

Nich, A., cigar maker, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Nichols, A. J., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nichols, C. S., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Nichols, J., farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. La Porte city. (1878 Bruce Township)

Nichols, J., farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Eden Township)

Nichols, John D., attorney at law; born in Canada West July 22, 1834, lived there twenty- two years, and learned carriage making; came to Iowa and studied law with Traer & Gilchrist, of Vinton, and was admitted to the bar in 1872; has practiced his profession here since then. He represents this District in the Iowa State Senate, being elected in 1876. Married Miss Sarah Stevens, from Canada, in 1854; she died in 1870, leaving four sons - Malcolm E., Clarence, Clifford G. and Frank Benn. Married Miss P. J. Breman, from Canada, in Iowa Falls, March, 1872. (1878 Taylor Township)

Nicholson, Robert, merchant, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Nickelson, David, night police. (1878 Taylor Township)

Nicodemus, Albert D., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Pennsylvania June 2, 1845. Married Elizabeth Faulkender in Illinois in 1869; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1849; have three children -- Ida May, Mary, and Sarah. Have eighty acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; followed school teaching in Pennsylvania and Illinois five Winters, and moved to Illinois in 1867, and to Iowa in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Nicodemus are members of the German Baptist Church. (1878 Eldorado Township)

Nicolaisen, Peter, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Luzerne; was born in Denmark In 1812. In 1832 he enlisted in the Denmark standing army is Corporal and remained in the service until 1838; was also a member of the militia of that country from 1838 until 1851. He married Miss Hansine Paulina Maria Dethmer, in Copenhagen, Denmark (which was her birthplace); she was born in 1805; they came to this country in 1851; lived in New York three years; came to this county in 1854; they own 82 ½ acres of land; they have one child living in this township - Petra Hansine; she married R. Olsen, in this county in 1868. They own 108 acres of land. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nieland, Henry, farmer, Sec. 5, P. O. Luzerne; owns 320 acres of land; was born in Germany, in 1821; came to this country in 1854, and settled in Clayton Co., this State; remained there until 1865, then moved to this Township, which, has been his home since. He married Mary Lemmerinmann in Germany, in 1846; she was born in 1824. Mr. Nieland entered the army, in Germany, in 1842, and served until 1848. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nihart, E., farmer, S. 12; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Nihart, N., farmer, S. 12; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Nisley, J. K., tenant farmer; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Nissen, A., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Luzerne. (1878 Kane Township)

Niswonger, M. L., merchant, of the firm of Niswonger & Thomson, dealers in fancy dry goods, notions ready made clothing, hate and caps boots and shoes, etc.; Luzerne. Niswonger was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 18401 came to this State in 1865; remained one year in Cedar Rapids, Linn Co.; came to this town (Luzerne) in 1866; commenced business here in 1869, and has been Postmaster at this place seven years. Married Miss Elizabeth Kooser at Mt. Vernon, Linn Co., this State in 1866; she was born in Somerset Co., Penn., in 1842; they have three children -- Jennie, born in this county in 1867; Craig born in this county in 1870; Maggie, born in this county in 1877. During the war of the rebellion Mr. Niswonger enlisted in Co. D, 15 th Penn. Cav., in 1862 was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865; he was in many severe skirmishes, and in the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga and Chickamauga. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Nixon, Alexander, blacksmith. (1878 Taylor Township)

Nixon, James, blacksmith. (1878 Taylor Township)

Noble, Isband, farmer, Sec. 4; born in Ontario, Canada, April 16, 1827; lived there twenty-three years and came to Benton Co., Iowa, in November 1850; he and his brother lived in a cabin on the river bottom during the Winter; in the Spring, he went to Minnesota. In 1852, he returned to Canada; married Miss Hannah P. Geddes, sister of General James L. Geddes, of Iowa College, Oct. 27, 1852; she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; they came to this county in November, 1852, and located where they now live, and entered land from the government; they were among the earliest settlers; only one man in this neighborhood that was here when they came. Has held township and school offices. It used to take him three and four days with ox team to go to mill at Cedar Rapids and return, leaving his wife alone; she was as brave as he; the Indians and wolves did not frighten her; when they came, they had but little, and now own over 600 acres of land; they have five children - James A., Isband, Libbie, Andrew and Charles G. (1878 Taylor Township)

Noble, Isband, Jr., farmer, Sec. 4. (1878 Taylor Township)

Noble, James S., farmer, Sec. 4. (1878 Taylor Township)

Noe, Arza B., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Garrison. (1878 Big Grove Township)

Noe, Ben W., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Garrison. (1878 Big Grove Township)

Noe, Isaac P., carpenter, Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Nolan, J., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Watkins. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Nolan, T., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Watkins. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Norak, John, laborer, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Norland, J. J., farmer, Sec. 13. P. O. Florence. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Norland, J. P., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Florence. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Norland, S. J., farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Florence. (1878 St. Clair Township)

North, L. F., retired farmer, P. O. Shellsburg; born in Geauga Co., Ohio, May 17, 1815; came to this county in 1841; has 200 acres of land, valued at $6,000. Belongs to the United Brethren Church. Held the office of County Commissioner five years; also was the first Postmaster in the township. Married Ruth Ann Bartholomew; born in Ashtabula Co, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1819; mother of six living children -- Mary L., born in this county January 8, 1843; Sylvia A., May 15, 1845; Luman B., Feb. 26, 1847; Benjamin F., Oct. 8, 1849; Jason N., May 31, 1851; Columbus, Oct. 24 1856. Emigrated to Hancock Co., Ill., in 1838, in the Spring; lived there one year, then came to Linn Co., Iowa, the year that the county was located; lived there about two years, and then came to this county, and located on the place now owned by Andrew Luther. When Mr. North came to Linn Co., he made a claim on the east part of what is now Cedar Rapids, when there was but one building there, in which a man of the name of Osgood Shepherd lived, and only one log cabin in Marion, the present county seat; when he came to Linn Co., he was a poor man; came with a man of the name of James Wiley; borrowed $15 to get through; used what were called Jackson bedsteads; bored two holes in the wall and used one leg; made a cupboard out of a store box; split puncheons for floor; Mr. and Mrs. North ground seven bushels of buckwheat in a coffee-mill; used to grate corn on an old tin pan punched full of holes; they came in an early day, when they had to endure all the privations of a frontier life. (1878 Canton Township)

North, S. D., laborer, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Northrop, J. R., farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Nuel, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 Union Township)

Nytting, Ira G., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Dysart; born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1842; removed to Davenport, Iowa, in 1851, thence to Iowa Co., Iowa, in 1871, thence to Benton Co., in 1873; owns eighty acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. Married Maranda Tollman in 1864; she was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1844; they have three children -- Evert, born in 1864; Florence, born in 1867; Esther, born in 1875. Republican. School Director, Road Supervisor, and President of the School Board. (1878 Homer Township)