Peter Neu, 1851-1910

NEU, RODESH, JACKLEY, SCHABA

Posted By: Mona Sarratt Knight
Date: 10/25/2015 at 10:03:10

The life record of PETER NEU of Templeton, now deceased, is striking evidence of what may be accomplished by worthy ambition guided by clear and well defined purpose, and it would be difficult to name a citizen of Crawford county who has occupied a more honored place in the estimation of the people. He is a native of Germany, born at Dellan, Luxemburg, December 10, 1851, son of Philip and Kathrine (Rodesch) Neu. There were six children in the family of which he was a member, namely: Theodore, Herman, Charles, Nicholas, Peter and Margaret.

Peter Neu of this review received his early education in his native town and grew up under the sheltering influence of the paternal home. As he advanced toward manhood he became actuated with the desire to take advantage of the best opportunities available and decided to seek his fortune in America. Accordingly in 1868 he crossed the ocean and took up his residence in Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked for wages on a farm. In 1880 he came to Iowa and secured employment as clerk in the Bennett hardware store at Carroll, and later in the Efferts general merchandise store. The latter establishment being destroyed by fire he came to Templeton in 1881 and entered the general merchandise business in his own name in which he continued about twenty-seven years. He was highly successful in his business affairs and foreseeing the advance in value of land invested extensively in farms in various parts of the country. His first purchase was the Hostetter place of two hundred and eighty acres in Eden township, to which he added two hundred and forty acres and later eighty acres, thus acquiring a valuable property of six hundred acres in that locality. He also bought two hundred and eighty acres in Audubon County, one hundred and sixty acres in Winnebago county and three hundred and twenty acres in Hand county, South Dakota, thus becoming the owner of extensive holdings of valuable land, whose advance in value has fully vindicated his judgment.

In 1880 Mr. Neu was united in marriage at Peru, Illinois, to Miss Mollie Jackley, daughter of Xavier and Mary (Schaba) Jackley. Mr. and Mrs. Jackley were the parents of ten children, namely: Willis, John, Joseph, Gustave, Henry, Fred, Tony, Emma, Mary and Louise.

Ten children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neu, six sons and four daughters, seven of whom are now living, namely: Louise, the wife of Frank V. Nockels of Carroll county and they have three children——John, Carl and Frank; Philip, who is now engaged in the general merchandise business at Templeton; Mary, at home; and Charles, Earl, Fred and Harold. Earl Neu was born January 2, 1894. He attended the public schools of Templeton and the high school at Carroll, thus receiving a good education, which has assisted him greatly in his contact with the world. Later he took a course in the business college at Sac City. He clerked in his father's store several years and during the last four years has made his home at Carroll.

In 1909 Mr. Neu retired from active business but after a few months' rest visited the old scenes in Europe. His health, however, had become impaired and he returned to Iowa and on September 10, 1910, was called from earthly scenes at his daughter's house at Carroll. On the day of the funeral all business houses in Templeton closed in recognition of his worth. At the time of his death he was vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Templeton and president of the school board. Politically, he was allied with the Republican Party and although he was never a seeker of office he served one term with great acceptance to the people as mayor of Templeton. Starting in a strange country as a poor boy he became one of the foremost men in one of the leading counties of Iowa, and left a record to which his family and friends may ever point with pride. Mrs. Neu is living and makes her home at Templeton. She is a member of the Catholic Church as was her husband. He always gave great credit to his wife for his advancement, ascribing his success very largely to her constant encouragement and support.

Source: History of Carroll County Iowa, by Paul MacLean, Illustrated, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company (1912) Chicago, Volume II, page 144.