Part of the Wisconsin Biographies Project
Nicholas Simon
Nicholas Simon, retired farmer, Hartford; son of John and Christina Simon, was born in Lorraine, France, now Prussia, Nov. 5, 1814; came to America in 1840; made his home in the town of Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., three years; in 1843, came to Washington Co., and located on Sec. 14, Town 10, Range 18, now Hartford, which he pre-empted, and held till 1844, when he sold it and moved to Sec. 21, where he purchased 40 acres of the Government; in 1846, he came to the village of Hartford and opened a saloon; in 1848, he sold the farm to his father, and continued the saloon business till 1851, when he sold out and purchased a farm of 91 acres on Sec. 16, of this town; in 1870, he sold out and moved to the village, where he has since resided. Mr. Simon was married, at Milwaukee, Nov. 28, 1844, to Miss Mary Rehberg, daughter of John Rehberg. Mrs. Simon was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. They have had eight children; the eldest, Jacob, was born Aug. 5, 1846, being the first German boy born in the town. He married Josephine Rehmer, and is a resident of Hartford; the second, Adeline, is now Mrs. John Wagner, of New London; Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Lex, of Hartford; Josephine, now Mrs. Fred Freiberger, of New London; John; Laura was the wife of Edward Ruhmer; her death occurred at the age of 21 years; Anna died when 4 years of age; the youngest, Katie, is at home. Mr. Simon has served as Treasurer of the town of Hartford one year, and as Supervisor two years; he is now the oldest resident pioneer of Hartford; he and James Rossman brought the first team across the Rubicon, in Hartford, and Mr. Simon chopped the first tree on the village site.
Sources:
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"History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin," published in 1881 by Western Historical Company.