Biography of Nicholas Dames (1840- )
Portrait and Biographical Record: St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren Counties, Missouri (Chapman Publishing Co., 1895) page 290.

NICHOLAS DAMES, one of the well-to-do farmers of township 48, range 6, has for several years been numbered among the respected and honored citizens of St. Charles County. He is a practical agriculturist, and has brought his large farm under good cultivation and improvement.

Born on the banks of the River Rhine, February 21, 1840, the first years of Mr. DAMES were passed in his birthplace, Coblentz, Germany. His parents, Peter Joseph and Mary Katie (NEUS) DAMES, were born in the same land, and there died, the former at the age of sixty-three years, and the latter when seventy. Their family of eight children consisted of six sons and two daughters. Three of the sons and the two daughters are still living, the eldest and youngest of whom are residents of Europe. Catherine and Elizabeth are married, and the latter resides in Alton, Ill. Nicholas, the subject of this biography, is the next in order of birth. Peter Joseph, who is married and lives in St. Louis, has three children. Simon is married, and has four children. The father of this family was a carpenter by trade, but during the latter years of his life turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death.

On his father's old homestead, Nicholas DAMES received practical instruction in farming, and to a certain extent attended the common schools. When twenty-four years of age he set out from home to seek his fortune in a strange land. He was without any capital, and when lie [sic] arrived in Missouri, whither he at once wended his way, he obtained employment in Wellsbury, where his brother was then running a general store. He continued to work for him the next six years, and carefully treasured the larger portion of his wages. On leaving his brother's employ he had nearly $1,000 as the result of his frugality and industry. With this little fortune he came to Portage Township and invested it in land. The original tract purchased by him is still in his possession, and to this he has added until he now owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of as fine land as can be found in this section.

February 6, 1872, Mr. DAMES married Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Catherine JARBOE. Seven children were born to them, of whom there now survive Mary, John, Agnes and Cora. Joseph, the eldest son, died December 3, 1894. An elder sister of Mrs. Sarah DAMES, Josephine by name, is married and has seven children, while her younger sister, Amanda, now known as Sister Antonia, is a nun in the Ursuline Convent. John, the only brother, is married and is a respected citizen of St. Charles County. Mrs. Sarah DAMES departed this life December 13, 1886.

The second marriage of Mr. DAMES, which was celebrated July 10, 1888, united him with Miss Gustina FEHRIG, who still shares and lightens her husband's burdens. She is one of nine children, whose parents were Lorenz and Margaret (HARTMANN) FEHRIG. Three of their sons and four of their daughters are still living, and are named as follows: John, Lorenz, Bernard, Gustina and Dora (twins), Francis and Theresa. Mr. and Mrs. DAMES are members of the Catholic Church, and enjoy the sincere friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic Party, and is always to be found on the side of advancement and the upholding of the cause of liberty.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Michael Parker, 30 Jul. 2001.  Link change or update: 24 September 2001

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