Edward F. Niemann, of Niemann Bros., one of the leading lumber firms
of Macoupin county, is interested in various business activities of
Mount Olive. Mr. Niemann is a native of this town, his birth having here
occurred on the 6th of March, 1864, his parents being John C. and Anna
(Stullken) Niemann. His father was a native of Borgholzhausen,
Ravensburg-PIalle, Prussia, while the mother was born in Oldenburg,
Germany. John C. Niemann was a son of Caspar Niemann, a prosperous
farmer of Germany. He was reared in his native land, in whose common
schools he pursued his education until it was considered he had
sufficient practical knowledge of the common branches to warrant his
laying aside his text-books and assuming the heavier responsibilities of
life. He then applied himself to agricultural pursuits under the capable
direction of his father, thus becoming thoroughly versed in the best
methods of preparing the soil and caring for the crops. Being very
strongly attracted toward the United States, he in 1839 crossed the
Atlantic, landing in Baltimore with a capital of three dollars and
eighty cents. Realizing that he could not long subsist upon his
resources, he immediately sought employment, obtaining work at a dollar
and a quarter a day on the Chesapeake & Potomac canal, then in course of
construction. Pie subsequently became one of Macoupin county’s pioneer
settlers, locating at Mount Olive, being the only native born German
within a radius of several miles. In 1841 he removed to a farm near
Carlinville, remaining there for three years. At the expiration of that
period he returned to Mount Olive, continuing to make his home there
until his death. Pie was interested in the town’s early business
enterprises, in addition to which he was also successfully engaged in
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He passed away on the 9th of
September, 1896. Mr. Niemann was married in 1847 t° Miss Margaret
Stullken, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, who died in September, 1854,
leaving three children: Mary, the wife of C. J. Keiser, of Mount Olive;
Sophia, who married William Niemeyer, both now being deceased; and
Henry, who passed away in 1876. Mr. Niemann married the second time the
sister of his first wife, Anna Stullken. By this union were born six
children: Mathilda; Lydia; Louisa; Edward F., our subject; William L.;
and Anna, all of whom are living. The father and mother took an active
and earnest interest in all religious matters, being affiliated with the
Lutheran church in the faith of which denomination they reared their
family. From the time he acquired citizenship Mr. Niemann gave his
support to the republican party, but he was never an office seeker. He
was one of the successful citizens of Mount Olive and was held in high
respect and esteem by those who knew him.
Reared at home Edward
F. Niemann obtained his early education in the public schools of Mount
Olive, later pursuing a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton
Business College at St. Louis. After completing his studies he devoted
his attention to assisting his father in farming and stock-raising until
he had attained his majority. In 1885 he accepted a clerkship in the
mercantile house of Keiser, Niemeyer & Company, by whom he was employed
for eleven years. At the end of that time he engaged in business for
himself becoming associated with his brother William L. in the lumber
business under the firm name of Niemann Bros. They carry a very full
line of sash, doors, blinds, shingles, lath, hard and soft woods and
builders supplies. During the fifteen years they have been engaged in
this enterprise they have succeeded in building up an excellent
patronage, and today have one of the largest establishments of the kind
in the county. The quality and variety of their supplies as well as
their high business principles have made the firm one of the well known
concerns of this section.
On the 2d of June, 1894, Mr. Niemann
was married to Miss Anna Remmert, a daughter of Henry Remmert, now
deceased, a well known resident of Mount Olive and a prominent farmer of
the township. Mr. and Mrs. Niemann are the parents of three children,
Lonieda, Irvin and Vera.
Mr. Niemann has always been a stanch
supporter of the republican party, whose principles he deems best
adapted to subserve the interests of the majority, but he has never been
an office seeker. Both he and his family affiliate with the Lutheran
church, in the work of which he, like his father, is one of the earnest
and active spirits, at the present time filling the office of elder.
Having met with excellent financial success, in 1909 Mr. Niemann and his
brother organized the Niemann Bros. Manufacturing Co., this enterprise
being exclusively devoted to the manufacture of poultry supplies. The
magnitude of this business has very much increased since its incipiency
and it is now occupying a building forty-four feet by sixty. Mr. Niemann
is one of the progressive and enterprising members of the commercial
fraternity of Mount Olive, as well as one of the public-spirited
citizens, his efiforts ever being directed toward the development and
advancement of the community, where he has spent the major portion of
his life.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 429-431.
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