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NICOLAI NISSEN.  The success which almost invariably attends the young emigrant from Germany, who comes to our shores armed with good health and a knowledge of some trade, can not fail of remark, and is indicative of the steady habits, economy, thrift and industry of that people.  It would be well, perhaps, if the youth of America were to profit by the example set them, and emulate their foreign brothers in some of these traits of character.  The cry of "hard times" would surely be heard less frequently, and fewer business failures would occur.
     In the gentleman whose names opens this sketch, and who is one of the leading merchants of Port Clinton, Ottawa county, we see one of the men who from a small beginning built up an enviable trade, and who from their merits take a prominent place in the community.  Mr. Nissen's father, whose name was Nis Thomas, was a farmer in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, born in 1809, and died in 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years.  His mother, born in 1806, died in 1853, at Stadium, Schleswig, Germany, at the age of forty-seven years.  Her maiden name was Trinke Dorothea.  The family of this worthy couple comprised five children: Matthias, Carsten, Marie, Catherina, and Nicolai.
     Our subject attended school in his youthful days, as all children are required to do in Germany, and obtained a good common-school education.  He then learned the trade of a shoemaker, and when twenty-four years old emigrated to America, landing at New York, from there coming to Sandusky, and later to Port Clinton.  Here he went to work at his trade, and after seven years was enabled to commence business for himself. He lived for one year (1866-67) in Michigan, then returned to Port Clinton.  For a couple of years he had partners in his business, but since that time has carried on operations alone.  He began in a small way where Payne's drug store now stands.  He erected the brick block, that now occupies the place, which he afterward sold, purchasing the building in which his store is now located.  Here he carries on a extensive business, and is constantly increasing his facilities for trade.  Mr. Nissen was married, Oct. 18, 1870, to Miss Theresa Eybsen, who was born in New York City, Apr. 2, 1853.  Seen children were born to this union, four of whom are living - August, Frank, Charles and Rosa - and three are deceased - William (who died when two years old), Julia and Matilda.  Of this interesting family, August, the eldest, born Sept. 5, 1872, is now an United States army officer.  He was a cadet at West Point, and after hard study succeeded in graduating on June 12, 1895, standing No. 20 out of a class of fifty-two.   Immediately after graduating he received a furlough of three months, which he spent at his home in Port Clinton, and while there received his commission as an officer, and was assigned to the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, at Fort Myer, Virginia, near Washington, D. C., where at the present time he is discharging his duties.  Frank, the next son, who is at home, has assumed the management of his father's business, and in time will, probably, become a partner, and then successor to the present firm.  Although at present but twenty-one years of age, he has a thorough knowledge of the shoe business, and has that energy which tends to increase instead of decline.  Charles and Rosa, the two younger children, are still attending school, and Charles will graduate in '96, Rosa in '97.
     In politics, Mr. Nissen is a good Democrat, and is active in work for his party.  In religious faith, he is a Lutheran, a member of that Church, and takes an interest in whatever tends to upbuild the community in which he lives.  He is the leading boot and shoe dealer in Port Clinton, and is highly respected for his integrity and excellent business qualifications.
Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of the Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 705

 

 

 

 

 

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