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B. CLEMENS NIEBUR.
One of the successful farmers of Clinton county, whose progressive views have done much for the section, is B. Clemens Niebur. When he came to Breese, Illinois, where he now resides, he found nothing but wild prairie land, while the town itself was only a tiny settlement of a few houses clustered around a church. With characteristic enterprise he first proceeded to get his land into proper condition for farming and then he turned his attention to the affairs of the town. In the position of supervisor of this township he accomplished much toward the building up of the country around Breese, and in looking now over the thriving city one must remember the man who had a hand in its development.
B. Clemens Niebur was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 12th of September, 1838. His father, John Henry Niebur, was also a native of Hanover, the date of his birth being the 23rd of January, 1802. As a young man the father was a tenant farmer, carrying on at the same time a brisk trade in Holland. The commodities in which he dealt were an odd mixture, such as bacon and wooden shoes, cheese and clothing. At the age of thirty-two he was married to Gasina A. Maua, of the province of Hanover. His wife was born on the 23rd of January, 1808, and four children were born of this union. Joseph, Clemens, Christina and John. Excepting Clemens, John is the only one of the children now living. In 1852 Mr. Niebur immigrated to America, bringing the whole family. He bought two hundred acres and located in Germantown township, a farm which he worked until his death on the 14th of September, 1882. Mrs. Niebur did not long survive her husband, dying in 1884. Both were members of the Catholic church. When Mr. Niebur came to America his first act, as soon as it was possible, was to become a citizen of the United States and his political allegiance was always to the Democratic party.
The youth of B. Clemens Niebur was spent in Germany, his education being obtained in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he came to America with his parents and for a time he attempted to go on with his education by attending evening school, but this was given up after a short time. As a mere boy he then started to work in a brick yard at Germantown, and stayed in this work for two years when, his father needing extra help with his farm, he began to work for him. He later hired out as a farm hand to a neighbor and worked in this capacity for three years.
At the age of twenty-three he married Anna Maria Albers, the daughter of Frank Albers, of Germantown. The date of this event was the 11th of February, 1862, and afterwards he took his young wife to a farm in St. Rose township. Here he not only engaged in agriculture but managed to lay by a few dollars by operating a kiln for burning lime. After a
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few months Mr. Niebur decided to move to his present location northwest of Breese. Here he has passed the remainder of his successful life.
Mr. Niebur owns his farm and also has considerable money invested in real estate in St. Louis. In politics he is a Democrat and his party has always found him a willing and hearty worker whenever occasion offered. In religious matters Mr. Niebur clings to the belief of his fathers, and is a communicant and devout attendant at the Catholic church.
Mrs. Niebur was born on the 31st of October, 1839, and died on the 26th of March, 1883, at Breese, Illinois. She and Mr. Niebur became the parents of eight children, of whom five are living. Henry, a merchant at New Baden; Frank, a huckster at St. Louis; Mary, who is dead; Joseph and Theodore, both of whom are farmers; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Josen Boennighausen, of St. Louis, and two who died in infancy.