Nilmeier, Phillip

Phillip Nilmeier was born in Stepnoia, Samara, Russia, on December 7, 1850, to parents George Nilmeier and Katie Horch. He married Miss Mary Folmer in 1872 and farmed in his native land until reading about Fresno County inspired him to immigrate to California. Arriving in Fresno on June 19, 1887, as one of eight local pioneer German-Russian family heads, he initially spent six years working in building construction with a starting capital of only sixty dollars.

In Fresno, Phillip expanded into commercial enterprise by purchasing a livery stable and feed yard at G and Inyo Streets, which he later turned over to his son, Conrad, in 1901. He developed valuable local real estate, erecting a two-story brick building, a brick garage, and three residences on Mono and E Streets. A dedicated trustee during the construction of the German Lutheran Church, he raised four surviving children, Peter, Conrad, Adam, and Marie, while establishing his family as prominent leaders in Fresno County.