JOHN HENRY NASS.
When the soul of the late John Henry Nass departed from its earthly habitation to go to his Maker, the city of Atchison lost one of its excellent citizens and merchants who had lived all of his life in the city of his birth. The late J. H. Nass was born in Atchison, February 15, 1865, a son of Jacob and Johanna Nass, both of whom were born and reared in Germany and emigrated from the Fatherland in 1856, to America. They first settled at Weston, Mo., but a short time later came to Atchison, Kan., where Jacob Nass became the first brick manufacturer of the city. He erected the first brick plant and made brick for many of the large brick buildings still standing in the city. Jacob Nass continued actively in the brick business until 1875, when he retired and the business was carried on by his four sons. During the course of his business career he established the hardware store which was later owned by his son, the subject of this review. He left at his demise, in 1899, a considerable estate consisting of the brick plant, a hardware store, and real estate. Jacob and Johanna Nass were the parents of six children, namely: Werner, J. H., Theodore, Herman, all living in Atchison; Gertrude, and Mary Nass, who is caring for her aged mother.
J. H., or Henry Nass, as he was better known by his friends and associates, was reared in Atchison and attended the parochial schools and St. Benedict’s College. At the age of sixteen years he entered his father’s hardware store, and took complete charge of the business when he attained the age of eighteen years. In 1886, with a partner named Frank Hess, of Weston, Mo., he purchased the hardware store of his father. Six years later he bought out his partner and became the sole owner of the store, which he conducted until his demise, in 1903. He was married September 27, 1893, to Bertha Fleming, who bore him children as follows: Charles, born September 16, 1895, educated in St. Benedict’s College, and is now in the employ of the Dolan Mercantile Company of Atchison; Raymond, born July 31, 1898, a graduate of St. Benedict’s College, and is now with the Harwi Hardware Company of Atchison; Rose, born October 31, 1899, at home with her mother; Margarette, born June 2, 1901, student in St. Louis parochial school; William, born November 19, 1902, a student in a St. Louis school; Henry John, born December 7, 1903, and died at the age of eighteen months. Mrs. Nass is justly proud of her children and has endeavored to rear them so that they will lead upright lives and be a credit to her and the public. The Nass home is located near St. Benedict’s College, and it is a happy one at all times. When Mr. and Mrs. Nass were married in 1893 their honeymoon trip included the World’s Fair at Chicago. She was born in Holland, a daughter of Lambert and Rosa (Johnson) Fleming, both of whom were born and reared in Holland and married there, after which they immigrated to America with their family and settled in Atchison where Lambert made wooden shoes for a time and later moved to a farm where he died June 15, 1880. Mrs. Fleming died in 1903.
J. H. Nass was moderately successful in his business pursuits, and left his family comfortably provided for. He was a Democrat but did not take a very active interest in political matters. He was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. His life was a good and useful one and his main interest was in the well being of his family, of whom he was very thoughtful and treated kindly and justly.