Amos W. Nagel
Amos W. Nagel devotes his attention to the operation of his
farm of two hundred and eighteen acres on section 16, Franklin
township, and has met with a gratifying measure of success in his
undertakings as an agriculturist. His birth occurred in Clermont,
Fayette county, Iowa, on the 3d of December 1862, his parents
being Frederick P. And Mary (Meyer) Nagel, both natives of
Germany. The father was born in Frankfort in 1822, while the
mother’s birth occurred in Mecklenburg in the same year. In
early life Frederick P. Nagel worked as a journeyman shoemaker in
his native country. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States at
an early day, he made his way first to Chicago and at that place
conducted a shoe store at the corner of State and Randolph
streets. Subsequently he embarked in the same business at
Clermont, Iowa, remaining there until 1874 or 1875, when ill
health necessitated his removal to a farm in Clayton county, four
miles south of Postville. After seven years’ residence there
he took up his abode in Franklin township, Allamakee county, and
here made his home until the farm was taken over by his son Amos
in 1900. In that year he went to Waukon, there spending the
remainder of his life in the home of his daughter. His demise
occurred in February, 1911, while his wife was called to her
final rest in 1891.
Amos W. Nagel, the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight
children, obtained his early education in the district schools of
Franklin township and later spent one winter in a select school
at Waukon. He spent the first twenty-three years of his life
under the parental roof and at different times was employed as a
farm hand by others. In 1886 he made his was to Omaha, Nebraska,
and for eighteen months was there employed in the Omaha and Grant
Smelting Works. Returning to this state, he became identified
with the photograph business in association with A. C. Norton at
Monona and was thus engaged for eighteen months. On the
expiration of that period he went to Chicago and worked at that
art in the employ of others until he was obliged to abandon it
because the close confinement was impairing his health. He was
subsequently in the service of Siegel, Cooper and Company for
nine months and was afterward employed for one year as a coachman
by H. H. Gross, superintendent of the Panoramic. In the fall of
1893 he returned to Franklin township, this county, and has here
devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits to the
present time, owning two hundred and eighteen acres of rich and
productive land on section 16. He has instituted many
improvements upon the place, and the farm with its well tilled
fields and well kept appearance is the visible evidence of the
progressive methods and unfaltering industry of its owner.
On the 11th of October, 1897, Mr. Nagel was united in marriage to
Miss Sophia Hammon, who was born at Elkader, Clayton county, on
the 19th of August, 1878, her parents being Henry and Augusta
(Wittenburg) Hammon, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. The
father’s birth occurred on the 26th of November, 1845, while
the mother’s natal day was September 11, 1848. Henry Hammon
followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active
business career. In 1865 he emigrated with his wife to the United
States, arriving in Castle Garden, New York, on the day of
Lincoln’s assassination. Making his way to Clayton county,
Iowa, he was there actively engaged in farming until his removal
to Franklin township, Allamakee county, where he has since
resided. Both he and his wife survive and make their home with
their sons. Mrs. Nagel was the fourth in order of birth in a
family of ten children. By her marriage she has become the mother
of nine children, as follows: Lois Winifred, who was born on the
31st of July, 1899, and died on the 5th of May, 1902; Louis
Frederick whose natal day was August 19, 1900; Celia Beatrice,
whose birth occurred on the 24th of January, 1902; John Albert,
born October 31, 1903; Ralph Donald, who was born April 24, 1905;
Sybil Irene, born May 16, 1907; Mildred Augusta, whose birth
occurred on the 24th of May, 1909; Walter Neal, born January 2,
1911; and Vera Ruth Idelia, who was born on the 9th of December,
1912.
Mr. Nagel gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while
his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Fraternally
he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No.. 70 at
Monona. His life, in all of its various relations, has been of
such character as to command the respect and esteem of those with
whom he has been associated.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index