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Paul A. Nandell

Paul A. Nandell, senior member of the hardware firm of Nandell & Nye, is one of the representative business men of West Union. the establishment of which he is partial proprietor is one of the leading houses in that line in the county, and since its formation in 1880, the business has been carried on without change of proprietorship. A full line of general hardware, stoves and tinware at moderate prices invite trade and they are doing a good business. The history of the senior partner is as follows: He was born in Berlin, Prussia, November 24, 1844, and is a son of Charles and Augusta (Zimdar) Nandell, who were also natives of Berlin.

The subject of this sketch attended school in his native city until ten years of age and in 1854 emigrated with his parents and grandfather to America. The family spent a few months in St. Louis, Mo., where the grandfather died. Shortly afterwards they continued their journey to Iowa and settled in Muscatine, but a short time subsequent removed to Comanche. In 1858, they left the State going to Kansas City, Mo., but in 1865 they returned to Iowa, locating in Anamosa, where Paul A. was engaged in farming. He was also married in that city October 6, 1866, his union being with Miss Ellen J. Kelley, daughter of Samuel Kelley, and a native of Viola, Jones County, Iowa. They are parents of three children, one son and two daughters - Jennie, now fourteen years of age; Frankie, aged twelve; and Ray, six years old.

Mr. Nandell continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he removed to Monticello, where he embarked in the hardware business, continuing operations at that place until 1880, when he came to West Union and formed the existing partnership with Joseph E. Nye. In politics, he is a Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. While a minor, he enlisted in a Missouri regiment but his mother protested against her boy going to the war and he was released. In the spring of 1865, he drove a Government team from Kansas City to New Mexico and remained from home on that expedition eight months, during which time the party experienced some trouble with the Indians, who were quite hostile. His experience and knowledge of the world, supplementing his scholastic training have made him a well-informed man and he is accounted one of the leading citizens of West Union. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, holds membership in West Union Lodge, No. 69; A. F. & A. M., Clermont Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M. and Langridge Commandery, No. 47, K. T. He is also a member of West Union Lodge, No. 24, K. of P.