Nuss family members include Rick’s step-ancestors and his half-sisters Cherie, Carla, and Dana. David Berryman Nuss was Rick’s mother’s first husband.

David Nuss was born in National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Many Nuss family members lived and continue to live in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

David Nuss was one of 11 children born to Henry Franklin (Harry) Nuss and Mae Ursula Houk. David served in the military during World War II.

Johann Jacob Nuss, a Palatine

Nuss ancestors have been living in the United States since the 18th century. On September 1, 1736, Johann Jacob Nuss arrived in Philadelphia on the Harle, a ship carrying Palatines from Rotterdam and Cowes, Isle of Wight.

The Palatines were a group of people who had been living in Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. In the early part of the 18th century, the region was repeatedly invaded by French troops, which resulted in widespread devastation and famine for the local civilians, many of whom were relocated to England and the United States.

Below is Johann Jacob Nuss’s name on a list of immigrants who had taken an oath of allegiance after his arrival in the American colonies.

Henry F. Nuss, Civil War Soldier

Henry F. Nuss (1843-1924), descendant of Johann Jacob, fought in the Civil War as a private in Battery F, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Henry enlisted in 1863 and was mustered out in 1865. He probably saw action in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the siege at Petersburg.

Following is a burial card for Henry Nuss that provides details about his Civil War service.

Ancestor surnames

• Frees
• Houk
• Miller
• Nuss
• Reiher
• Roeder
• Schultz
• Yeakel
• Zimmerman

Unanswered questions about the Nuss family

• What part of Europe were the OTHER branches of the Nuss family from (other than Johann Jacob Nuss, the Palatine)?