Charles Braman Nichols 1833-1916

NICHOLS, TAFT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/28/2010 at 00:16:21

Death Claims Aged Citizen
Father of Editor of Vindicator and Republican Passed to Final Reward at 12:30 Saturday Morning
Had Passed Eighty Second Mile Stone
Funeral Held From Home of Son Sunday Afternoon. Interment By Side of Beloved Wife and Great Grand Daughter

A wave of sorrow swept over the hearts of the entire community Saturday morning when the news of the death of Charles B. Nichols was heard. Although almost helpless from rheumatism his smiling countenance and cheery words of greeting for all whom he knew made many a weary heart glad. For the past year he did not make any effort to go over town and seemed satisfied to stay on the lawn of his son’s home or in his room. Towards the last his one thought was the hope that he would soon join his sainted wife and at twelve-thirty Saturday morning the sad parting of ten years was made a happy reunion. The beautiful and comforting words, “There are no dead but they have gone on before and are still living” makes a loss of our loved ones easier to bear although their places can never be filled.

The funeral services were held at the home of his son Sunday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. Scolley Hock of the Episcopal church. The words of the scripture helped to lighten the sorrow ever so little and the sweet words of the songs rendered by the duet were inspiring.

The frail body was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of his wife and his great granddaughter.

Charles Braman Nichols was born December 13, 1833, in Oneida county, New York. Died February 19, 1916, at home of son in Estherville, aged 82 years, 2 months and 6 days. He attended Rome academy and graduated from that school in 1851. He was married to Miss Henrietta E. Taft December 30, 1857 in Oswego county, New York. Two children, Emma E. Nichols, who died while county superintendent of schools in Potter county, South Dakota, September 27, 1886, and G. A. Nichols of Estherville, blessed this union. He moved from New York to Northwestern Pennsylvania in 1862 where he became identified with business connected with the oil industry, having interest in one or two oil wells near Titusville. In 1865 he moved to Wisconsin and located on a farm near Madison, and a few years later bought a farm in Richland county, Wisconsin, where he remained until lured to Dakota territory in 1883, by the land excitement, where he located on a homestead and tree claim in Potter County, being one of the first settlers in Elida township. Eight years later he moved back to the old New York home. Twenty years ago he came to Estherville, where he has resided since, the last ten years being with his son, his beloved wife having passed to her reward October 6, 1906.

For a number of years while in Estherville he was subscription solicitor and collector for the Estherville Republican. He became well acquainted with most of the old settlers and many can recall his frequent visits to their homes. He was a member of no secret organization, his home being the only refuge and retreat from the busy world that he desired. His greatest assets were being a man among men, a home lover, pure in public and private life, a devoted husband and indulgent father. What more can be said? (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1916)

Death Is Ever In Our Midst
Relentless Foe of Humanity Collects Toll in Many of Our Homes
The Nichols Family Bereaved

Charles Braman Nichols was born Dec. 13, 1833, in Oneida county, N.Y., died Febraury 19, 1916, at the home of his son in Estherville, Iowa, aged 82 years, 2 months and 6 days. He attended Rome Academy and graduated from that school in 1851. He was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta E. Taft, December 30, 1856, in Oswego county, N.Y. To this union were born two children, Emma E. Nichols, who died while serving as county superintendent of school in Potter county, South Dakota, Sept. 27, 1886, and G. E. Nichols of Estherville.

In 1862 he moved with his family from New York to northwest Pennsylvania where he became identified with business relating to the crude oil industry and had interest in one or two oil wells near Titusville. In 1865 he came to Wisconsin, locating on a farm not far from Madison, which he sold a few years later and moved to Richland county, Wisconsin, where he purchased another farm, and remaining there until 1883, when he was lured to Dakota territory by the attraction of free home offerings that were made at that time, locating on a homestead and tree claim in Potter county, being one of the first settlers in Elida township. Eight years later he moved back to the old New York home, having decided that he had had his share of pioneering on the bleak prairies.

Twenty years ago he came to Estherville, he and his wife having a longing to be near their only son during their declining years. In October, 1906, his beloved wife passed to her reward, and since that time he has lived with his son.

For a number of years while in Estherville he was subscription solicitor and collector for the old Estherville Republican. He became acquainted with most of the old settlers and many can recall his frequent visits at their homes. He was a member of no secret organization, his home being his only refuge and retreat from the busy world, and that was all that he desired. His greatest assets were being a man among men, a home lover, pure in public and private life, a devoted husband and kind father, a legacy of far greater worth than riches or worldly goods.

Funeral services were held from the residence of his son, Sunday afternoon at two o’clock, and interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of his wife and his little great-granddaughter. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1916)