Bernard Christopher Nieland (1874-1965)
Generation 9

The son of John Gerhard Nieland and Maria Christina Nienhues (John Gerhard, John Henry, John Henry, Joannes Daniel, Joannes Bernardus, Johann Daniel Nieland, Berndt Nilandt, Earliest Nieland)

Bernard Christopher Nieland was born on 19 November 1874 at Ramsdorf, Westphalia, Germany. He married Kate Thelen about 1902. He was also known as Christopher Bernard Nieland.

He emigrated on 14 August 1895 from Germany. He is recorded in the Ellis Island records as a German immigrant who departed from Antwerp, Belgium. He traveled on the ship Westernland and arrived single age 20 years and 8 months.

He appeared on the Federal census of 1900 at Carroll County, Iowa. He was enumerated in Kniest Township with Anton Thelen (37) and his wife "Gerdrud" (30) and children Olivia (10), Emma (8), Edward (7), Arthur (4) and Leona (2) on a farm. Anton and Gertrud have been married 11 years and have 5 of 6 children living. Bernard is listed as single, 25 years old, born November of 1874 in Germany.

He appeared on the Federal census of 1910 at Sterns County, Minnesota. Barney C. (35) in enumerated on a farm in St. Augusta Township with his wife Catherine (34) and children John S. (7), Julius E. (5), Clara K. (3), Gerhard M. (2) and Joseph (8/12). Bernard was born in Germany, Catherine and John in Iowa, Julius, Clara and Gerhard in South Dakota and Joseph in Minnesota. This means they must have moved to Minnesota about 1909. Bernard and Catherine have been married 8 years.

He appeared in the 1920 Federal census at Stearns County, Minnesota. Bernard C. (45) is enumerated on a farm in St. Agusta Township with his wife Catherine (43) and children John S. (17), Julius A. (15) Clara C. (12), Gard M. (11), Joseph W. (9), Aloys J. (8), Frank A. (6) Anton M. (2 11/12) and Christina A (1). Bernard is a German immigrant who arrived in 1895 and became a citizen in 1900. Catherine and John S. list Iowa as their birthplace. Julius, Clara and Gard were born in South Dakota and the rest of the children were born in Minnesota. They own their farm.

He appeared in the 1930 Federal census at Stearns County, Minnesota. Bernard C. (55) is enumerated on a farm in St. Agusta Township with his wife Catherine (54) and children Joseph (20), Aloys (18), Frank (16), Anton (16) and Christine (11). Bernard's birthplace is listed as Germany and the rest of the family lists Minnesota. Bernard lists his age at first marriage as 27, so their marriage was in about 1902. They own their farm and have a radio.

Bernard and his brother Herman visited relative in Germany several times. An article about their visit can be found in the History section of the web site.

Bernard died on 17 August 1965 at Sterns County, Minnesota at age 90.

Katharina "Kate" Thelen (Nieland) (1876-1965)
Generation 9

The wife of Bernard Christopher Nieland (1874-1986)

Kate Thelen was born on 5 March 1876 at Iowa. We believe she is the daughter of Anna Mary and Sylvester Thelen. Katherine (24) appears on the Federal census of 1900 at Carroll County, Iowa. She is enumerated with her parents Sylvester (55) and Mary (60) and her brother "Ortin" (27) on a farm two pages after Bernard in the Federal census. Sylvester and Mary are German immigrants who list their immigration date as 1874. They have been married 28 years and have 4 of 4 children living. Katherine lists her occupation as servant.

The children of Bernard Christopher Nieland and Kate Thelen were the following:

1) John, born 8 November 1902 at Breda, Carroll County, Iowa. John later lived near Auburn, Iowa. He died 2 November 1991 at Auburn, Carroll, Iowa at age 88.
2) Julius, born 20 December 1904 at Armour, South Dakota. Julius later lived near Carroll, Iowa. He died 2 April 1998 at Carroll, Carroll, County Iowa at age 93.
3) Clara, born 11 August 1906. She died 16 May 1994 at Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota at age 87.
4) Gerhard, born 22 May 1908 at Minnesota. He died 20 September 1998 at St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota at age 90.
5) Joseph W was born on 23 March 1910. He died on 20 May 2001 at St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota, at age 91.
6) Aloys Jacob was born 26 September 1911 at Minnesota. He died on 22 May 1989 at Crow Wing, Minnesota at age 77.
7) Frank A. was born on 24 June 1913. He died in July 1981 at St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota, at age 68.
8) Anton (Anthony Michael) was born on January 7, 1917. He died on January 12, 2003 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at age 86.
9) Christina

Kate died on 22 November 1957 at age 81.

Updated 06 November 2006
Rev 9a