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John Neal	Charles Nixon
Andrew Nelson	Warren Noel
John Niehaus	more to come...

JOHN P. NEAL was born in Rochester, N. Y., June 17th, 1798, lived in that state until 1838, engaged in cabinet work and chairmaking until April of that year, when he came to Peoria, went to Sangamon county, and then came back to Peoria county; bought and improved a farm on section twenty-three in Medina township, where he resided until his death, which occurred October 29th, 1872. In 1817 he was married to Miss Sally Clements, of Dover, New Hampshire, by whom he had eight children, Samuel C., born April 5th, 1818; Moses L. born May 7th, 1820, lives on the old homestead; James, died in infancy; Frances C., former wife of Thomas Mooney, Jr., died in 1855; John P., Jr., born October 28th, 1828, lives in California; Abigail, born January 27th, 1831, former wife of William C. Green, of Morris, Illinois, died April 1st, 1854; Anzolette, born May 30th, 1829, died October 30th, 1842.
Mrs. Neal was born November 2d, 1798, in Dover, New Hampshire. She is still living at the old homestead.
Mr. Neal is still kindly remembered by his family and friends for his many good qualities. He was a kind husband and father, a good neighbor, and a valuable citizen. (Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois, 1873, page 89, submitted by Claire Crandell)

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ANDREW NELSON. Andrew Nelson, was born in the town of Roe, Franklin County, Mass., September 6, 1833. He is a son of Osmund L. Nelson, a pioneer of this county, who was born in Boston, Mass. He married Sarah Houston, a native of Amherst, Mass., and they spent their early wedded life in Franklin County, that State. In 1838 they migrated to this State and became early settlers of Hallock Township, where they lived a good many years. The mother died there, and the father at the residence of our subject in Richwood Township.
     He of whom we write was the eldest of five children, and he was quite small when his parents took up their residence in the wilds of Hallock Township, where he grew to a stalwart manhood. He remained an inmate of his parents' home until he was married, with the exception of the three years that he spent in California, operating a wagon and blacksmith shop the most of the time while there.
He began his wedded life in Akron Township, where he purchased a farm on which he continued to live two years. After that he lived one year in Peoria, and then bought his present farm on section 20, Richwood Township, of which he has since been a valued resident. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land on which he has erected a fine barn, and has made many other substantial improvements.
     Mr. Nelson was married in this township, April 19, 1866, to Miss Josephine A. Keller, daughter of John and Hester Kellar, who died in Richwood Township. Mrs. Nelson is a native of this township, and was born December 28, 1842. Her marriage with our subject has been productive to them of eight children, namely: Osmund K., Sarah B., Andrew, William L., Alva, Mabel E., Eva K., and Ralph L. Osmund married Miss Agatha Purtschex, and lives in Rosefield Township.
     Mr. Nelson is an important citizen of this community. He has filled the office of Supervisor of Richwood Township for four years, has been Township Collector for several years, and School Director for nearly twenty years. In politics, he has long been closely identified with the Democratic party. Mrs. Nelson is a member in high standing of the Presbyterian Church. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 977-978, submitted by Gaile Thomas)

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JOHN M. NIEHAUS. It affords the biographical writer pleasure to incorporate in the pages of this volume a brief sketch of the career and attainments of the gentleman above-named, who is a prominent member of the bar in Peoria, and whose title of "Honorable" is deserved by his personal character as well as won by his public labors. He possesses mental ability of no mean order, and his mind has been cultured by thorough study, his memory stored with facts and principles pertaining to his profession, and of general use. Hosts of friends are held by his high social qualities, and his fellow members of the bar look upon him with high esteem as an honor to the calling that he has chosen.
     The ancestry of our subject is an ancient and honored one, the families whence he sprang being well known in Prussia. In that kingdom his parents, Frank W. and Matilda (Dahmann) Niehaus lived until 1856, when they came to America, the following year locating in Peoria. In his own land the father was a hardware merchant, but in this city he was for a number of years engaged in the millinery business. He died February 28, 1869, leaving a widow whom he had married after the death of the mother of our subject. The family circle of which John Niehaus made one, comprised six children, as follows: Joseph F., now practicing medicine in Boston, Mass.; our subject; Henrietta, and Tillie, teachers in the public schools of Chicago; Frances, wife of Adolph Trefzger; and Clara, at home.
     The gentleman of whom we write was born in Warendorf, Westphalia, Germany, February 15, 1855, and brought from his native land to America in his infancy. He was educated partially in private German schools, and took a course in the Central Illinois Commercial University, having able tutors in all cases. Having evinced a desire to enter the legal arena, he studied law with Messrs. O'Brien and Harmon, and was admitted to the bar September 11, 1874. He then went to Chicago with Mr. O'Brien, and after practicing there for a time, went to Grand Rapids, Mich., in which city he remained two years. Returning to Peoria in 1877, he has succeeded well in his profession, gaining a reputation such as few men of his years can boast.
     Mr. Niehaus was elected a member of the Thirty-second General Assembly, and won high favor by his application to the interests of his constituency, by his pleasant address, and his untiring energy. The year following his legislative career he was elected State's Attorney for Peoria County, to fill a vacancy, and has been twice re-elected --- a genuine tribute to his management of the prosecution of criminals, and his devotion to the interests of the county. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), page 700, submitted by Gaile Thomas)

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CHARLES E. NIXON. Charles E. Nixon, whose name heads this sketch, is the proprietor of the Nixon Printing & Paper Box Company, one of the largest concerns of its kind in the city. He was born in Eureka, Woodford county, Illinois, October 11, 1854. The family left that city when Charles Nixon was two years old, and settled in Toulon, Illinois, where they remained for twenty-five years. Charles Nixon was educated in the grammar and high schools of Toulon, Illinois, and after his graduation started immediately in the printing business, in which he is still engaged. In 1888 Mr. Nixon came to Peoria to find a larger field for his efforts.
     The name of Nixon today stands for all that is best in the printing line in the city. Mr. Nixon has no hobbies that anyone has heard of, except the one of doing his work as it should be done and doing it intelligently. He possesses an industry which his will never allows to falter and his prosperity is due to his unflagging industry, his close study of the situation as a whole and his utilization of opportunities as they presented themselves.
     Mr. Nixon has moved his shop several times during his twenty-five years in the city, but has always been faithful to Washington street. He is now located at 112 South Washington street and is doing a prosperous business there, which is increasing in extent from year to year. Mr. Nixon has never taken an active part in political controversies or sought public office, although his affiliations are in a general way republican. He is active in the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees, and is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and the Association of Commerce.
     In 1890, in St. Louis, Missouri, occurred the marriage of Mr. Charles Nixon and Miss Maude Benner of Peoria. They have one daughter, Helen Margaret, who is now attending the Chicago University. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, page 644, submitted by Janine Crandell)

WARREN NOEL has been honored by this, his native county, by election to one of its most important offices, that of Sheriff of the county, and his fidelity to his duty, his incorruptibillity and various other sterling traits, show that a wise selection has been made, and that he is in every way fitted for the responsibilities of his position. His portrait appears on the opposite page and represents one of Peoria's most widely known citizens.
     Sheriff Noel was born in this county, August 8, 1851, and is a son of John and Jane (Trial) Noel, natives of Virginia. They had gone from there to Ohio and thence to Illinois before they met and married. Of the eleven children born to them nine are now living: Albert in Iowa; Elizabeth Nixon, In Kansas; Ariminda Shepherd and Jackson in this county; Minerva Harker and Nathaniel, In Peoria; Charles, in Iowa; Mary Hornbacker, in Peoria and Warren. Harriet and Margaret are deceased.
     The subject of this biographical review has spent his entire life in this county and farming has been his vocation. In 1882 he was called from his quiet pursuits to public life, being then elected Deputy Sheriff, and so ably did he discharge the duties thus devolving upon him, that in 1886 he received the honor of election to the still higher office of Sheriff of the county. He makes a most excellent officer, as he is eminently adapted by temperament and capacity for this responsible position, possessing a steady nerve, undaunted courage and ready tact. By his just and courteous treatment of all who come in contact with him he has made himself popular, we might almost say, even with the criminal class. He is a natural detective, and is feared by evil-doers, as is illustrated by this forcible tribute that he once received from a notable prisoner: "I thought," said he, "my case would be put in the hands of Chicago detectives, and felt safe, but when I found it was Warren Noel's, I knew my jig was up." Sheriff Noel is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodman, and politically, is identified with the Democratic Party.
     Sheriff Noel is fortunate in having a cozy, pleasant home to which he can retreat from the cares of public life. For the comforts of this abiding-place he is indebted greatly to his amiable wife, formerly Miss Nancy J. McFarland, to whom he was married January 23, 1873. To them have been born two children - Mabel and Julia. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 768-769, submitted by Lloyd Lawrence and transcribed by Janine Crandell, photo submitted by Janine Crandell)

John J. FARRIS, who murdered Stephen McGEEHEE in April 1887, was sentenced at Peoria a few days ago to twenty-five years in the penitentiary. This was his third trial for the crime, which was a very brutal and unprovoked one. On the first trial he was sentenced to be hanged, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision, and on the second trial the jury disagreed.

Sheriff NOEL of Peoria County was at the Joliet penitentiary a few days ago, where he took two murderers, John J. FARRIS, of Fulton County, twenty-five years, for shooting Stephen MCGEEHEE, his divorced wife's husband, and Joseph MACKEY for five years for killing James COWAN. (Statewide excerpts from the Ava Advertiser, Jackson County, Illinois, 1890)