Julius J. Nagel
One of the finest farms in Allamakee county is that owned and
operated by Julius J. Nagel. It comprises two hundred acres lying
on section 2, Franklin township, and is strictly modern and
up-to-date in buildings and equipment. It is a large and valuable
tract of land which Mr. Nagel has acquired through his own
exertions and it is today a monument to his ability and energy.
He was born in Garnavillo, Clayton county, on the 1st of October,
1858, a son of Charles and Mary (Meyer) Hittle. When Julius was
about three years of age his father died and his mother married
Fred Nagel, a widower with three children, who adopted Julius in
the family, giving him his name. Both stepfather and mother was
natives of Germany, the former born in Frankfort or vicinity, in
1822, and the latter in the grand duchy of Mecklenburg in the
same year. In early life the stepfather was a journeyman
shoemaker, following that occupation until he came to America,
settling first in Chicago, where he conducted a shoe store on the
corner of State and Randolph streets. Later he moved to Iowa and
in Clermont, this state, engaged in the same business, in which,
however, he continued only a short time thereafter. His health
failing, he purchased land and in the year 1874 or 1875 turned
his attention to farming in Clayton county. For seven years he
lived upon his property, located four miles south of Postville,
but at the end of that time moved to Franklin township, Allamakee
county, where he continued to operated an excellent farm until
1900, when he turned over his interests to his son and retired
from active life. He moved into Waukon and made his home with his
daughter, dying in February, 1911. He had survived his wife many
years, her death having occurred in 1891.
Julius J. Nagel acquired his education in the public schools of
Clermont and in the district schools of Chester, just south of
Postville, he accompanied his father to Allamakee county and here
enrolled in school district No. 4, Franklin township. During his
youth he assisted with the operation of the farm. Upon attaining
his majority he secured employment as a farm laborer and
thereafter for three years continued thus, at the end of that
time renting a farm. This property he developed for about three
years and was finally able to purchase land of his own, buying a
small tract near Hardin. In connection with its cultivation he
engaged at this time in hauling cream but at the end of three
years disposed of this business and also the property which he
had purchased and came to the farm whereon he now resides. He has
two hundred acres of valuable land and is today one of the
extensive property owners in this part of the county. He makes a
specialty of polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs and breeds
also a first-class grade of horses. He is a good judge of live
stock and as he understands the details of his business
thoroughly he receives the best prices for his stock.
In April, 1882, Mr. Nagel married Miss Clara Dunning, who was
born in Franklin township, February 9, 1864, a daughter of Frank
and Caroline (Nobles) Dunning. In early life the father was a
sailor on the Great Lakes but he abandoned this occupation
eventually and came as a pioneer to Allamakee county, residing in
Franklin township when it was still a frontier district. His
death occurred on February 7, 1907. His wife survives him and
makes her home near Waukon upon a farm just adjoining the city
limits. Mr. and Mrs. Nagel have become the parents of nine
children: Gusta, who married Benjamin Wiethorn, a prominent
landowner and automobile dealer of Monona; Addie, who is the wife
of R. DeGraw, a farmer residing one mile northwest of Monona;
Frank, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Roy, who
was born April 22, 1892 and resides at home; Elba, who was born
June 12, 1894; Belle, whose birth occurred May 18, 1896; Mary,
born May 30, 1898; Daisy, born April 25, 1901; and Velma, born
February 27, 1903.
Mr. Nagel is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of
Rossville, and is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery company,
his ability being widely recognized in business circles. He gives
his political allegiance to the republican party but is not
active as an office seeker, preferring to devote his entire time
to his personal affairs which, being capably conducted, have
brought him a gratifying measure of success.
-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