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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Broder Nahnsen

There is in Dawson township quite a settlement of German-American citizens - men who display in the conduct of their business affairs the sterling traits of character which indicate a German nationality or ancestry. To this class belongs Broder Nahnsen, who is energetically and successfully carrying on general farming on section 8, Dawson township. He is the eldest son of Claus Nahnsen, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His birth occurred in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 11th of June, 1874, and when but two years of age he was brought by his parents to Greene county, where he has since lived. This locality was at that time a pioneer district of the state. There were no regularly established schools in the township where the family lived and the subject of this review pursued his education in the little schools which were held in the different homes of the neighborhood. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager. On the contrary, he early became familiar with all the difficulties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he performed the arduous task of developing and cultivating new land. Throughout his entire life he has carried on general farming. and as the years have passed he has met with a measure of success which now classes him with the substantial residents of the community.

At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Nahnsen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Meyer, a native of Germany and a daughter of William and Mary Meyer, who are now residents of Highland township, this county. Mrs. Nahnsen has spent almost her entire life in the county and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and a daughter, William, Clara and Elmer.

Their home stands in the midst of eighty acres of well improved land, which Mr. Nahnsen purchased on contract for his father. His eatly experiences as an agriculturist came into good play when he started out in life on his own account and he has worked persistently and energetically to bring his fields under a high state of cultivation, that they may produce good crops as the years go by. He and his family attend the Lutheran church, in which he holds membership, and his political views are indicated by the unfaltering support which he gives to the men and measures of the republican party at the polls.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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