Charles R. Nicholson (1854-1926)

NICHOLSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 19:37:24

Charles Ross Nicholson
(October 11, 1854 – March 27, 1926)

In viewing the mass of mankind in the varied occupations of life, the conclusion is forced upon the observer that in the vast majority of cases men have sought employment not in the line of their peculiar fitness but in those fields where caprice or circumstances have placed them, thus explaining the reason of the failure of ninety-five per cent of those who enter commercial and professional circles. In a few cases it seems that men with a peculiar fitness for a certain line have taken it up and marked success has followed. Such is the fact in the case of the subject of this biography. He is actively and successfully engaged in the real estate business, handling not only property in Iowa but also in Texas and his straight forward business methods commend him to the confidence and therefore to the patronage of all.
Mr. C. R. Nicholson was born in Cass County, Michigan, October 11, 1854, and is a son of William J. Nicholson, a native of Urbana, Ohio. Leaving the Buckeye state he removed to Michigan where he was united
in marriage to Elizabeth Zane, a native of that state. The father of our subject engaged in farming in Michigan for a number of years and in 1864 came to Calhoun County, Iowa, locating in Jackson Township, where he engaged in farming. He made his home in that locality until 1890 when he removed to Sherman Township, where he
and his wife are still living. He gave his political support to the Democracy until Grover Cleveland was elected to the presidency, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party, which he still serves. He is a man of sterling worth, whose upright life has gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated. In his family are six children: C. R., of this review; W. E., who is married and lives in Latcher, South Dakota; J. A., who is married and makes his home in Oskalooosa, Iowa; L. H., who is married and is residing in Clinton, Iowa; May, the wife of I. J. Brennan of Freeport, Illinois, and A. L., who married Myrtle Feek, and resides in Manson.
C. R. Nicholson was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to Calhoun County and his education, which was begun in Michigan, was continued in the district schools of Jackson Township. Later he became a student in the high school of Lake City and was graduated with the class of 1871. Ambitious to acquire still broader knowledge he matriculated in the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, where he remained for a year. He then engaged in
teaching school in Calhoun County, fallowing that pursuit for fourteen terms, his ability being clearly shown by the readiness and facility with which he imparted to others the knowledge which he had acquired. After his marriage which occurred in 1877, he turned his attention to the furniture business, organizing the Nicholson Furniture
Company, and conducted the store successfully until 1884, when he began dealing in real estate, an enterprise which still claim his
attention. He is also engaged in the oil business, having an interest in the wells at Beaumont, Texas, the main office of the
company, owning these wells being located in Houston, Texas. He has negotiated many important real estate transactions and his efforts have contributed in a large measure to the improvement and upbuilding of this section of the state. On the 23rd of October, 1877, in Manson, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Eva V. Skinner, who was born in Summit County, Ohio, August 11, 1856, a daughter of J. D. and Malissa (Johnson) Skinner, both of whom were natives of Ohio, in which state they were married and began their domestic life. The father engaged in the operation of a canalboat and also devoted his attention to farming. In 1869 he came to Iowa, settling in Sherman Township, Calhoun County, where he resumed the work of the farm and he is still living upon the old homestead, but his wife passed away May 12, 1885. In politics he is a Republican and has held all of the township offices. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Skinner were born four children, the eldest being Eva V., the wife of our subject. The others are Addie M., the wife of T. B. LaMoyne, a resident of Manson; George W., who married Lucy Clark and resides in Atkinson, Minnesota; and Newton, who married Mattie Stafford and is living in Galveston, Texas. Mr. Nicholson is not only prominent as a representative of the real estate interests but is also well known in political and social circles. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Morning Light Lodge, No. 334, F. & A. M., also the Manson Chapter No. 131, R. A. M., and Evening Star lodge. No. 196, O. E. S. He is likewise associated with the Odd Fellows fraternity and Temple Lodge, No. 195, K. P. His political support is given the Republican party and he has served as justice of the peace, while for two years he has been mayor of Manson and for twelve years has been secretary of the school board. His labors on behalf of the city have been discerningly directed along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number. As a public official he has been loyal, ever true and keenly alive to the best interests of the community and to the faithful discharge of his duties. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.564]