Nicholas Isch

• Name: Nicholas Isch
• Born: July 7, 1836 Oberwil, Bern, Switzerland
• Died: May 5, 1915 Gridley, Kansas
• Related through: Dan's grandmother Melva Castleton

Nicholas Isch was christened July 17, 1836 in Oberwil, Bern, Switzerland to Johann David and Maria Haeuselmann Isch. One history says he was born July 7, 1836.

He was of the Apostolic Christian faith, becoming a believer in 1858 and was baptized in Switzerland, at the age of twenty two. He came to America in 1859, settling in Illinois. Here he married Maria Sommer, January 18, 1863 in Woodford County, Illinois. On the marriage license Woodford is crossed out and Peoria written above.

They moved to Kansas in 1879 and located on a farm northwest of Gridley. Nicholas was a hard working farmer, he had very strict principles, they spoke German in their home.

On January 21, 1884, at the age of 47 years, he became a citizen of the United States in Burlington, Coffey County, Kansas. On his citizenship papers, the word sworn was crossed out and affirmed was written above.

Nicholas and Mary had 11 children. There were three sons and eight daughters including our ancestor Bertha.

He was quiet, a hard worker, very small and stooped with bushy eyebrows. Some of the boys teasingly called him, "Old Nick." He died in Kansas on May 5, 1915 at the age of 78.

Thanks to Grandma Melva for providing us this history.