According to Alex C. Nilmeier, of Fresno, his grandfather Philip Nilmeier had become acquainted with a Jewish salesman on board ship. He was a man of the world who believed the San Joaquin Valley had great potential as an agricultural area. Philip Nilmeier was able to convince ten families to change their destination from Lincoln, NE to Fresno. In 1919, he said that certain articles in a little booklet, setting forth the attractions of Fresno County, for working people, also induced him to break away from the homeland.
Among the very first of the Germans from the Volga River region in Russia who sought a greater opportunitv in
America and wisely chose Fresno County as the most promising section of California, is Phillip Nilmeier, who was born at Stepnoia, Samara, Russia, on December 7. 1850, the son of George Nilmeier, a farmer of that section. He had married Katie Horch, and they both died where they lived and labored. They had eleven children nine boys and two girls ; and of these three sons came to California. Phillip was the sixth oldest of the familv. He attended the common schools of his land, and grew up to work on the home farm until he was married. Then, in 1872. he chose for his wife Miss Mary Folmer. who was born there and was also familiar with the environment under which he had developed. He continued to farm at the old home until he came out to the New World.
Certain articles in a little booklet setting forth the attractions of Fresno County for working people, induced Mr. Nilmeier to break away from familiar scenes, and on June 19. 1887. he brought his wife and six children to Fresno. The journey was made in safety; but. alas for human foresight! two of the children George and Phillip succumbed during the first month of the struggle here. All in all, they had a hard time, for as a stranger. Mr. Nilmeier was one of eight heads of families to come here from Russia at
that time. However, locating here he went to work, making the best use of his surplus capital of sixty dollars ; and for six years he was employed in town on the construction of buildings. During this time, he bought a lot and built a house.
He then bought from Mr. Ernst a livery stable and feed yard at the corner of G and Inyo Streets, and there he proved a successful business man. He was so fortunate, in fact, that he continued there until 1901 when he turned the business over to his son, Conrad, who ran it for some years. He next built a brick building 33x100 feet in size, two stories high, that he leased for a laundry, and a brick garage 50x75 feet in size, which he sold, with the other property, about 1917 to his three sons, and is now occupied by a garage, blacksmith shop and laundry. He has also built and still owns three residences on Mono and E Streets.
Mr. Nilmeier is a member of the German Lutheran Church having served as a trustee for some time. He was, in fact, a member and trustee when the church was built. In national political affairs, Mr. Nilmeier is a Democrat, but when it comes to local issues he knows no partisanship, and votes for the best men and the best measures. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nilmeier four children came to further honor their good name: Peter, Conrad and Adam, all favorably known as members of the wide-awake firm of Nilmeier Bros.; and Marie, Mrs. Foin, makes her home in Fresno.
Among the very first of the Germans from the Volga River region in Russia who sought a greater opportunitv in
America and wisely chose Fresno County as the most promising section of California, is Phillip Nilmeier, who was born at Stepnoia, Samara, Russia, on December 7. 1850, the son of George Nilmeier, a farmer of that section. He had married Katie Horch, and they both died where they lived and labored. They had eleven children nine boys and two girls ; and of these three sons came to California. Phillip was the sixth oldest of the familv. He attended the common schools of his land, and grew up to work on the home farm until he was married. Then, in 1872. he chose for his wife Miss Mary Folmer. who was born there and was also familiar with the environment under which he had developed. He continued to farm at the old home until he came out to the New World.
Certain articles in a little booklet setting forth the attractions of Fresno County for working people, induced Mr. Nilmeier to break away from familiar scenes, and on June 19. 1887. he brought his wife and six children to Fresno. The journey was made in safety; but. alas for human foresight! two of the children George and Phillip succumbed during the first month of the struggle here. All in all, they had a hard time, for as a stranger. Mr. Nilmeier was one of eight heads of families to come here from Russia at
that time. However, locating here he went to work, making the best use of his surplus capital of sixty dollars ; and for six years he was employed in town on the construction of buildings. During this time, he bought a lot and built a house.
He then bought from Mr. Ernst a livery stable and feed yard at the corner of G and Inyo Streets, and there he proved a successful business man. He was so fortunate, in fact, that he continued there until 1901 when he turned the business over to his son, Conrad, who ran it for some years. He next built a brick building 33x100 feet in size, two stories high, that he leased for a laundry, and a brick garage 50x75 feet in size, which he sold, with the other property, about 1917 to his three sons, and is now occupied by a garage, blacksmith shop and laundry. He has also built and still owns three residences on Mono and E Streets.
Mr. Nilmeier is a member of the German Lutheran Church having served as a trustee for some time. He was, in fact, a member and trustee when the church was built. In national political affairs, Mr. Nilmeier is a Democrat, but when it comes to local issues he knows no partisanship, and votes for the best men and the best measures. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nilmeier four children came to further honor their good name: Peter, Conrad and Adam, all favorably known as members of the wide-awake firm of Nilmeier Bros.; and Marie, Mrs. Foin, makes her home in Fresno.
According to Alex C. Nilmeier, of Fresno, his grandfather Philip Nilmeier had become acquainted with a Jewish salesman on board ship. He was a man of the world who believed the San Joaquin Valley had great potential as an agricultural area. Philip Nilmeier was able to convince ten families to change their destination from Lincoln, NE to Fresno. In 1919, he said that certain articles in a little booklet, setting forth the attractions of Fresno County, for working people, also induced him to break away from the homeland.
Among the very first of the Germans from the Volga River region in Russia who sought a greater opportunitv in
America and wisely chose Fresno County as the most promising section of California, is Phillip Nilmeier, who was born at Stepnoia, Samara, Russia, on December 7. 1850, the son of George Nilmeier, a farmer of that section. He had married Katie Horch, and they both died where they lived and labored. They had eleven children nine boys and two girls ; and of these three sons came to California. Phillip was the sixth oldest of the familv. He attended the common schools of his land, and grew up to work on the home farm until he was married. Then, in 1872. he chose for his wife Miss Mary Folmer. who was born there and was also familiar with the environment under which he had developed. He continued to farm at the old home until he came out to the New World.
Certain articles in a little booklet setting forth the attractions of Fresno County for working people, induced Mr. Nilmeier to break away from familiar scenes, and on June 19. 1887. he brought his wife and six children to Fresno. The journey was made in safety; but. alas for human foresight! two of the children George and Phillip succumbed during the first month of the struggle here. All in all, they had a hard time, for as a stranger. Mr. Nilmeier was one of eight heads of families to come here from Russia at
that time. However, locating here he went to work, making the best use of his surplus capital of sixty dollars ; and for six years he was employed in town on the construction of buildings. During this time, he bought a lot and built a house.
He then bought from Mr. Ernst a livery stable and feed yard at the corner of G and Inyo Streets, and there he proved a successful business man. He was so fortunate, in fact, that he continued there until 1901 when he turned the business over to his son, Conrad, who ran it for some years. He next built a brick building 33x100 feet in size, two stories high, that he leased for a laundry, and a brick garage 50x75 feet in size, which he sold, with the other property, about 1917 to his three sons, and is now occupied by a garage, blacksmith shop and laundry. He has also built and still owns three residences on Mono and E Streets.
Mr. Nilmeier is a member of the German Lutheran Church having served as a trustee for some time. He was, in fact, a member and trustee when the church was built. In national political affairs, Mr. Nilmeier is a Democrat, but when it comes to local issues he knows no partisanship, and votes for the best men and the best measures. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nilmeier four children came to further honor their good name: Peter, Conrad and Adam, all favorably known as members of the wide-awake firm of Nilmeier Bros.; and Marie, Mrs. Foin, makes her home in Fresno.
Among the very first of the Germans from the Volga River region in Russia who sought a greater opportunitv in
America and wisely chose Fresno County as the most promising section of California, is Phillip Nilmeier, who was born at Stepnoia, Samara, Russia, on December 7. 1850, the son of George Nilmeier, a farmer of that section. He had married Katie Horch, and they both died where they lived and labored. They had eleven children nine boys and two girls ; and of these three sons came to California. Phillip was the sixth oldest of the familv. He attended the common schools of his land, and grew up to work on the home farm until he was married. Then, in 1872. he chose for his wife Miss Mary Folmer. who was born there and was also familiar with the environment under which he had developed. He continued to farm at the old home until he came out to the New World.
Certain articles in a little booklet setting forth the attractions of Fresno County for working people, induced Mr. Nilmeier to break away from familiar scenes, and on June 19. 1887. he brought his wife and six children to Fresno. The journey was made in safety; but. alas for human foresight! two of the children George and Phillip succumbed during the first month of the struggle here. All in all, they had a hard time, for as a stranger. Mr. Nilmeier was one of eight heads of families to come here from Russia at
that time. However, locating here he went to work, making the best use of his surplus capital of sixty dollars ; and for six years he was employed in town on the construction of buildings. During this time, he bought a lot and built a house.
He then bought from Mr. Ernst a livery stable and feed yard at the corner of G and Inyo Streets, and there he proved a successful business man. He was so fortunate, in fact, that he continued there until 1901 when he turned the business over to his son, Conrad, who ran it for some years. He next built a brick building 33x100 feet in size, two stories high, that he leased for a laundry, and a brick garage 50x75 feet in size, which he sold, with the other property, about 1917 to his three sons, and is now occupied by a garage, blacksmith shop and laundry. He has also built and still owns three residences on Mono and E Streets.
Mr. Nilmeier is a member of the German Lutheran Church having served as a trustee for some time. He was, in fact, a member and trustee when the church was built. In national political affairs, Mr. Nilmeier is a Democrat, but when it comes to local issues he knows no partisanship, and votes for the best men and the best measures. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nilmeier four children came to further honor their good name: Peter, Conrad and Adam, all favorably known as members of the wide-awake firm of Nilmeier Bros.; and Marie, Mrs. Foin, makes her home in Fresno.
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