Thomas "Tom" Nivison 1867-1935

NIVISON, BIGELOW, TOLLIFSON, LORIMER, HOWE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/17/2010 at 23:25:19

T. Nivison Dies After Brief Illness
Two of Estherville’s best known pioneer people were called to their reward during the past week. Thomas Nivison, former county sheriff, died at 10:35 p.m. Friday, May 3, after an illness of about seven weeks. Mrs. Sadie Davidson, city librarian from 1901 to 1918, answered the last summons Saturday morning at the home of Mrs. Weldon Moore, her nurse.

Pioneer Scotch Settler
Mr. Nivison, familiarly and affectionately known to hundreds of friends as Tom, was born in Dumfries, Scotland, on May 13, 1867, and lacked just ten days of reaching the sixty-eighth mile stone of his life. Although his health had been failing for some time he continued with his duties as justice of the peace of Estherville township to which position he was elected three years ago until his last illness. In 1881, as a lad of 14 years, Mr. Nivison came to Emmet county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Nivison, and settled at Hoprig in Jack Creek township. He continued with the farm until elected as county sheriff in the fall of 1913 and moved into Estherville in December of that year. He was re-elected by large majorities for several terms serving from 1914 to 1926. On September 20, 1916, he was married to Mrs. Harriett Bigelow Tollifson who together with one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Lorimer, survives him.

The deceased man was honored during his lifetime with many more responsible duties including that of chairman of the draft board during the World War and chief of police of Estherville. He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity being a member of North Star Lodge No. 447 A.F. and A.M., Jeptha Chapter No. 128 R.A.M. and of Esdraelon Commandery No. 52, Knights of Templar. He was also a beloved member of Estherville Lodge No. 528 B.P.O.E., the Brotherhood of Elks.

Tom will be missed. He was a tried and true friend and a stalwart and worth while citizen of Emmet county for many years and was generally known for many years over the state. His character was above reproach.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at two-thirty from the Presbyterian church with Dr. A. G. Bailey in charge. Musical numbers were given by the choir and a solo “Tired,” was sung by Mrs. John Greig. The hymn was also sung at the rites for Mr. Nivison’s father.

Pall bearers were S. G. Bammer, J. W. Morse, M. L. Soeth, Jas. Rainey, I. C. Nichols and John Darling. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 7, 1935)

Thomas Nivison Dies – Funeral Was Monday Afternoon

Thomas Nivison, a pioneer resident of Emmet county and for many years sheriff of the county and in recent years a Justice of the Peace in Estherville, died last Friday after an illness of several years. Mr. Nivison has been in failing health for sometime past but for the past two years and especially for the past six months has been failing rapidly. He has been confined to his bed for several weeks.

Mr. Nivison (Tom as he was known the county over) was born in Scotland on May 13, 1867, where he spent his younger days. He came to the United States with his parents when he was a lad of eighteen and the family settled in Jack Creek township where there was then a Scotch settlement.

Mr. Nivison came to Estherville in 1914 and has resided here since that time. Mr. Nivison was a sheriff for many years and was well known over the state. He also served with the state department of investigation for some time. He was considered a good sheriff and made many arrests of note.

In 1917 he was united in marriage to Harriet Bigelow, who was also an earlier settler of Jack Creek township.

The funeral services were held from the home on Monday at two o’clock at the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Arthur Bailey officiating. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery.

Mr. Nivison is survived by his wife and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Lorimer, of this city. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 8, 1935)

Thomas Nivison of Estherville Dies
Thomas Nivison of Estherville, brother-in-law of Mrs. Fletcher Howe, 406 Fifth street, died last Friday evening at 10 o’clock at his home following an illness of two years. He would have been 68 years old May 13. For 12 years Mr. Nivison was sheriff of Emmet county, and at the time of his death was serving a second term as justice of the peace.

Mrs. Howe and children, Jean and Robert, attended funeral services which were held Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian church, with interment in Oak Hill cemetery. (Spencer News Herald, Spencer, IA, May 10, 1935)