August Nehls: New Ulm Pioneer, Brickyard Stalwart

Drawn from August Nehl's obituary and an article entitled "Honorable Couple Is Married Fifty Years" first published in the Brown County Journal in April 1929 and in November 1930, respectively.
Edited by Jim Graupner

August Nehls, well-known pioneer resident of New Ulm and valued brickyard employee of Fred Aufderheide, died of kidney and bladder trouble at his home on South Valley Street, 77 years ago today. Twice he was "very generously" remembered by the New Ulm Brick & Tile yards for his service: initially as the brickyard celebrated his first quarter-century and again when he retired, after 40 years of continuous employment.

Nehls was born in Pyritz, province of Pomerania, Germany, 4 February 1847. He attended school in the village of Pyritz and later was apprenticed to a blacksmith and toolsmith, there.

In 1870, at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War (19 July 1870 - 10 May 1871), Nehls entered military service for Prussia and the North German Confederation. As a soldier in the Second company, Fifth Pommeranian Infantry, Regiment No. 42, Nehls is reported to have participated in a number of active encounters during the conflict. The following year peace was restored when France surrendered and Prussian Germany proclaimed itself the German Empire.

On 4 June 1874 Nehls sailed for America and came directly to New Ulm. Mr. Nehls first employment was as a hired farm hand in the vicinity. In April 1881, Fred Aufderheide hired him as a worker in brickyards, which Aufderheide had acquired the year before from __ Winklemann. So Nehls started his employment at the brickyard when it was in its infancy and continued his service there as the business expanded and prospered for the next 40 years.

On April 14, 1879, August was married to Rosa Hartneck by the Rev. Gustav Reim at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Ten children were born to this couple, three of whom preceded their father in death. Surviving Mr. Nehls were his widow, and the following children: Mrs. Fred Wandersee, Otto and John Nehls, New ulm; Mrs. Louis Johnson, Clarks Grove, Minn.; Mrs. Arthur Swenson, Albert Lea; Mrs. Fred Hager, Mankato, and Mrs. Hugo Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye. Also surviving the deseased were 14 grandchildren and a brother, William Nehls, of New Ulm.

Mr. Nehls was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.