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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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Henry Nissen.

Henry Nissen, living on section 27, Walnut township, was born in Germany, December 19, 1867, his parents being N. P. and Catherine (Peterson) Nissen, both of whom were natives of the fatherland.  They were farming people there and continued residents of Germany until 1882, when they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, establishing their home in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and again engaged in farming.  He cultivated his place there for a considerable period and then removed to Ida county, Iowa.  At the present writing he is living retired, making his home with his daughter in Holstein, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four years, his wife having passed away in June, 1907.

Henry Nissen spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native country and then accompanied his parents to the new world.  His education was begun in the schools of Germany and for two years he continued his studies after coming to America.  The remainder of his minority was devoted to work upon his father's farm, but when he had reached adult age he started out in life for himself by renting land, which he cultivated for two years.  He then removed to Audubon county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for three years, after which he came to Adair county.  Through the succeeding four years he was employed in an elevator and then rented land, which he operated for eight years.  On the expiration of that period he invested his savings in one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Walnut township.  This he set about improving and today has one of the excellent farms of the county equipped with all modern facilities which are of value in the conduct and operation of a farm.  He works on day after day, finding enjoyment in his labors, and excellent results have rewarded his diligence and close application.

On the 24th of February, 1894, Mr. Nissen was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hass, a daughter of Claus and Margaret (Bruce) Hass, who were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1884.  The father was a stonemason in his native land, but following his arrival in the new world settled in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he took up the occupation of farming, devoting his remaining days to that pursuit.  He died February 20, 1905, and his wife died at the home of her son, Claus Hass, August 9, 1915, at the age of seventy-five years, three months and twenty-six days.

Mr. and Mrs. Nissen hold membership in the German Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings.  His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which finds in him an earnest advocate because of his firm belief in its principles.  He is always loyal to his honest convictions and fearless in defense of what he believes to be right.

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