Lena Nigon

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Lena Nigon
2nd of 13 children of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen
Born: Sep 18, 1874, Ripplingen, Saarland, Germany
Died: Jul 16, 1915 (age 40), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; hemorrhagic colitis and peritonitis
Buried: Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Immigrated: May 6, 1881, from Belgium to New York 
Occupation: Dressmaker, boarding housekeeper
Never married, no children

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in the census and other records
are retained as in the original documents.
(italicized clarifications or corrections are in parentheses)

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Thirteen children of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen:


1. Barbara Nigon
1873–1937
2. Lena Nigon
1874–1915
3. Katharina Nigon
1876–1876
4. Maria “Mary” Nigon
1878–1966
5. Nicholas “Nick” Nigon
1880–1968
6. Michael “Mike” Nigon
1882–1971
7. John “Jack” Nigon
1884–1969
8. Katherine Nigon
1885–1940
9. Anna Clara Nigon
1887–1948
10. Francis “Frank” Nigon
1890–1953
11. Margaret Mary Nigon
1892–1992
12. Teresa Anna Nigon
1894–1990
13. Elizabeth Susanna “Jane” Nigon
1897–1930

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Aug 7, 1872: Marriage of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen, parents of Lena Nigon, at St. Gangolf Parish at St. Paul in Trier, Fitten, Saarland, Germany

Thirteen children: Barbara Nigon, Lena Nigon, Catherine Nigon, Maria “Mary” Nigon, Nicholas “Nick” Nigon, Jr., Michael Nigon, John “Jack” Nigon, Katherine Nigon, Anna Clara Nigon, Francis “Frank” Nigon, Margaret Nigon, Teresa Anna Nigon, Elizabeth Susanna “Jane” Nigon
Note: Four of the Nigon sisters never married

Sep 18, 1874: Birth of Lena Nigon, 2nd of 13 children of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen, in Ripplingen, Saarland, Germany
Note: Lena, nor the family, used the name Magdalena as it appears on her birth record. Subsequent records and family use reflect Lena.

Sep 18, 1874: Birth Certificate for Magdalena “Lena” Nigon

GERMAN TRANSLATION
Geburts-Akt. No. 85. Hilbringen ___ im Se Merzig_ der acstzeheten des Monats SegZember, _ Zahtzehnhundert pier und siebenzig, B4r mittags nenne Uhr erschien vor mir Joseph Hobch Bürgermeter – Begnten des Eivisstandes der Bürgermeisterei Hilbringen as 2 der Uwohans Nigon Jahre att, Standes Rekerer fünf und Zwanzih welcher mir erklärte, daß von Jenger Hhehren Logkeit zu Riplingen Barbara geborne Lemen (Leinen), ein und zwanzig Jahre alt ohne Stand — -am achtzeheten September wohnhett, iu Riglingen – Uhr in Iamner Wohnung Jahres Morg emb van drm dieses ein Kind zu Riplanzen Geschlechts geboren sei, welchem Kinde dzr Vorname weiblichen.” Magdalnna _ beigelegt wurde. Diese von mir in doppeltem Originale aufgenommene Erklärung ist geschehen in Anwesenheit der beiden Zeugen, als nämlich: Jacob Altmager fünfend vierzig – Jahre alt, Standes Kentver 1 wohnhaft zu Hilbringen 2 oham Schmitt acht und zwanzg Jahre att, Stander Müllerknecht wohnhaft zu Smler Gegenwärtige Urkunde ist demnach d nm Deklarantmn und den Zeugen vorgelesen und mit denselben von mir unter- schrieben worden. Nikolas Nigon F. Altmayer Johann Schmitt Rosch
GOOGLE TRANSLATION
Birth certificate No. 85. Hilbringen ___ in the See Merzig_ of the tenth of the month of September, _ ten hundred and seventy-four, at noon Joseph Hobch, citizen – beneficiary of the mayoralty of Hilbringen, 2,000 years old, rank of Rekerer, appeared before me, who explained to me that Barbara, née Lemen (Leinen), twenty-one years old, without rank, of Jenger Hhehren Logkeit in Riplingen, lived in Riplingen – o’clock in her apartment on the morning of September 18th of this year in Riglingen – o’clock in the morning of this day in the house of this child of the Riplzen sex, to which child the first name is female. ” Magdalenna _ was enclosed. This declaration, which I recorded in duplicate originals, was made in the presence of the two witnesses, namely: Jacob Altmager, forty-five years old, Kentish citizen 1, resident of Hilbringen 2, Johann Schmitt, twenty-eight years old, miller’s servant, resident of Smler. The present document was therefore read to the declarant and the witnesses and signed by me with them. Nikolas Nigon   F. Altmayer Johann Schmitt Rosch

May 6, 1881: Nicholas Nigon, his wife Barbara, and their five oldest children arrive in New York on May 6, 1881, aboard the SS Jan Breydel from Antwerp, Belgium. Only his wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Lena (age 6), are listed on the available manifest.

Jun 10, 1895: U.S. State Census, Pepin Township, Wabasha Co., Minnesota (Nicholas & Barbara Nigon family; Lena (age 20) is the 4th Nigon listed):

Jun 2, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Name Nicholas Nigon
Age 50
Birth Date Nov 1849
Birthplace Germany
Home in 1900 Cascade, Olmsted, Minnesota
Race White
Gender Male
Immigration Year 1881
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Barbara Nigon
Marriage Year 1873
Years Married 27
Father’s Birthplace Germany
Mother’s Birthplace Germany
Years in US 19
Naturalization Naturalized
Occupation Farmer
Months Not Employed 0
Can Read Yes
Can Write Yes
Can Speak English Yes
House Owned or Rented Own
Home Free or Mortgaged F
Farm or House F
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Nicholas Nigon Age 50, Head, born Nov 1849, married 27 years, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, farmer immigrated 1881, 19 years in U.S. 
Barbara Nigon Age 46, Wife, born Aug 1833, married 27 years, 12 children born, 12 children living, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, 19 years in U.S. (Barbara (Leinen) Nigon)
Lena Nigon Age 25, Daughter, born Sep 1874, dressmaker, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, 19 years in U.S.
Mary Nigon Age 22, Daughter, born Mar 1878, dressmaker, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, 19 years in U.S. (Maria “Mary” Nigon)
Nicholas Nigon Age 20, Son, born Mar 1880, farm laborer, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, 19 years in U.S. (Nicholas “Nick” Nigon, Jr.)
Mickle Nigon Age 18, Son, born Apr 1882, farm laborer, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Michael “Mike” Nigon)
John Nigon Age 16, Son, born Mar, 1884, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (John “Jack” Nigon)
Catharine Nigon Age 14, Daughter, born Nov 1885, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Katherine Nigon)
Anna Nigon Age 12, Daughter, born Dec 1887, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Anna Clara Nigon)
Frank Nigon Age 10, Son, born Jan 1890, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Francis “Frank” Nigon)
Mary Nigon Age 8, Daughter, born Mar 1892, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Margaret “Mary” Nigon)
Augusta Nigon Age 6, Son, born May 1894, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Daughter: Teresa Anna Nigon)
Lizzie Nigon Age 3, Daughter, born Apr 1897, at school, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany (Elizabeth Susanna “Jane” Nigon)
Note: The Nigons are living next door to their daughter Barbara (Nigon) Clemens and her husband Matt Clemens

abt 1902: Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen family (daughter Lena Nigon is standing, second from right)

Jun 7, 1905: Minnesota State Census, Cascade Township, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:

Note: Lena Nigon, age 30, born Minnesota, is listed 3rd from the top

Dec 1905: All the Clemens babies were baptized at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester in the same white lace-collared dress made by their Aunt Lena Nigon. The photo is of my father, Carl John Clemens, wearing the baptismal dress, with his older brother Aloysius standing next to him.

Jan 14, 1906: Death of Barbara (Leinen) Nigon (age 51), 1st of 6 children of Jacob James Leinen & Maria Fritz, and the mother of Lena Nigon, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Jan 1906: Burial of Barbara (Leinen) Nigon at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Note: Barbara was born Aug 3, 1853; her headstone reflects her birth year as 1854
Barbara is also later named on the cenotaph erected for her husband, Nicholas/Nikolas Nigon

Jan 28, 1907: Death of Nikolas Nigon (age 57), son of Johann Nigon & Magdelena Sellen and the father of Lena Nigon, in Landkreis Merzig-Wadern, Saarland, Germany

1907: Burial of Nikolas Nigon in Hilbringen, Saarland, Germany. Nikolas died intestate on Jan 28, 1907 (headstone reflects death date of Jan 27, 1907), in Hilbringen, Germany. His home was in Cascade, Minnesota, but he’d returned to Germany (taking his 16-year-old son, Francis “Frank” Nigon, with him) in search of a new wife and died while there.

A headstone (cenotaph) for Nicholas/Nikolas Nigon is erected in memory at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; it reflects Nicholas’ birth as Nov 8, 1849, however, his German birth and marriage records list his birth date as Nov 30, 1849. His wife, Barbara, is also included on the memorial. Section CC 39 26.

May 3, 1907: U.S. Probate Records for Nicholas Nigon; his daughter, Lena (age 32), is named in the document:

Apr 27, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Name Lena Nigon
Age in 1910 35
Birth Date 1875
Birthplace Germany
Home in 1910 Cascade, Olmsted, Minnesota
Race White
Gender Female
Immigration Year 1881
Relation to Head of House Sister
Marital Status Single
Father’s Birthplace Germany
Mother’s Birthplace Germany
Native Tongue English
Occupation Housekeeper
Industry On Farm
Employer, Employee or Other Wage Earner
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Enumeration District Number 0100
Out of Work N
Number of Weeks Out of Work 0
Enumerated Year 1910
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Nicholas Nigon Age 30, Head, Single, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, farmer, general farm
Lena Nigon Age 35, Sister, Single, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, immigrated 1881, housekeeper on farm 
John Nigon Age 26, Brother, Single, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany, farmer, general farm
Anna Nigon Age 22, Sister, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany
Frank Nigon Age 20, Brother, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany, working on home farm
Margrett Nigon Age 17, Sister, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany
Theresa Nigon Age 15, Sister, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany
Elizabeth Nigon Age 13, Sister, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany

1911: City Directory, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:

Jun 1, 1915: Envelope of letter to Lena Nigon:

The envelope lists Lena’s address as 1024, West Seventh Street, Rochester, Minn.

Jul 16, 1915: Death of Lena Nigon (age 40), 2nd of 13 children of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; hemorrhagic colitis and peritonitis

Lena Nigon and an unknown woman on the right, perhaps her nurse:

Jul 16, 1915, Minnesota Death Index:
Name Miss Lena M Nigon
Record Type Death
Death Date 16 Jul 1915
Death Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 1915
Certificate Number 009163
Record Number 171780

Jul 16, 1915, Certificate of Death:

Jul 1915: Burial of Lena Nigon at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; Section CC 39 26

Lena’s name is on the family monument; she also has an individual marker:

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index:
Township Cascade
County Olmsted
Name Lena Nigon
Birth Date 1874
Death Date 1915
Cemetery Calvary Rochester
Comments WITH NIKOLAS & BARBARA (Lena’s parents)
Section CC 39 26

Nigon Burials in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Lena is #15. Her age is incorrect; she was 40 when she died. Her burial site differs from the Minnesota Cemetery Inscription record above. It reflects Section CC 39 26, the sheet below reflects Section 11, Row 7, Grave 4W:

Original Calvary Cemetery Record Book (Lena Nigon (age 40):

Jul 1915: Local newspaper obituary:

Jul 22, 1915: Wabasha County Herald, Wabasha, Wabasha Co., Minnesota (pg 3):

Note: Lena was age 40

Jan 13, 1916: Lena Nigon Probate records:

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2025: Researched and compiled by siblings Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau and Gordon Clemens. Thank you to Bernard Nigon for Lena’s death and cemetery records, along with headstone photos, and to Dana (Walker) Conway for Lena’s birth records and the newspaper article.

Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.