Laura Florida Braithwaite Nicholson 1858-1941

NICHOLSON, BRAITHWAITE, LYONS, ROUSSEAU

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/14/2013 at 23:50:18

Mrs. Nicholson, 83, Pioneer of City is Dead
Seriously Ill Since Tuesday Night
Mrs. George Nicholson, 83, pioneer resident of Estherville died at 2:30 this morning at her home on North Sixth street. Although she had been in failing health for the last three or four years, she was not taken seriously ill until Monday. The illness became more serious Tuesday night.

Her two daughters, Mrs. Charles Lyons of Van Nuys, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph Rosseau of San Diego, Calif., are expected here tomorrow morning. A son, Guy Nicholson, lives here. One child died in infancy. Her husband died nineteen years ago.

Mrs. Nicholson, the former Sarah Ellen [Laura Florida] Braithwaite, was born March 31, 1858, in League county, Ill. She was married to George Nicholson March 18, 1881, and later moved to Estherville, where she has lived for more than 50 years.

Mr. Nicholson drove the first stage coach which was operated between Estherville and Fairmont, carrying both passengers and mail. Later he worked for the B.D.R. and N. railway.

Mrs. Nicholson was an active member of the Baptist church.

No arrangements for funeral services will be made until Mrs. Lyons and Mrs. Rosseau have arrived from California. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 11, 1941)

Nicholson Funeral Will Be Monday
Funeral services for Mrs. George M. Nicholson, who died yesterday morning at her home, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Baptist church. The Rev. G.E. Forssell and the Rev. J. Albert Riggs of Wesley, former Estherville Baptist minister, will conduct the services. Short services at the home will be at 2 p.m. Burial will be made in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 12, 1941)

Services Held on Monday
For Mrs. G. M. Nicholson, Pioneer Resident of This City Who Passed Away on Friday Morning
Mrs. G.M. Nicholson passed away at her home on north Sixth street early Friday morning following a brief illness. She was 83 years old at the time of her death.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the home and at 2:30 at the Baptist church with the Rev. G.E. Forssell and Rev. J. Albert Riggs, of Wesley, in charge. Burial was in the Oak Hill cemetery.

Pallbearers were Harold Reed, Leo Sanders, Herman Lorenz, Ray Bryan, Charles Nourse and Joe Hoye.

Laura Florida Braithwaite was born March 31, 1858, in League county, Illinois. She spent her childhood and grew to young womanhood in that community. On March 18, 1881, she was united in marriage to George M. Nicholson. They moved to Estherville shortly after their marriage and made their home here since then. Mr. Nicholson was one of the pioneer railroad men of this community. Prior to taking up his work with the B. C. R. & N. railroad he operated the first stage coach between Estherville and Fairmont, Minn., carrying both passengers and mail.

The Nicholsons were among the prominent members of Estherville and have done much toward the building up of this city. Since the death of her husband in 1922, Mrs. Nicholson has continued to make this her home except for occasional visits to California.

Although she has not been exceptionally strong for the past few years, Mrs. Nicholson was not taken seriously ill until the Sunday preceding her death. She gradually grew worse until she passed away Friday morning at 2:30. Her death was caused from complications resulting from a severe attack of pleurisy.

Mrs. Nicholson was a woman who made friends wherever she went. Her cheery disposition and kindly ways made her a friend of everyone, both young and old. Her greatest interest was in her home and her family, but she always had time to give her neighbors and friends a cheery word or to perform some kind deed for them. She was greatly cheered during her declining years by the many visits and kindnesses bestowed on her by her many friends both old and young. As long as her health permitted Mrs. Nicholson took an active part in all the affairs of the Baptist church.

Left to survive the passing of their mother are two daughters, Mrs. Charles Lyons of Van Nuys, Calif., and Mrs. Ralph Rousseau, of San Diego, Calif., and one son, Guy Nicholson, of Estherville, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Lyons and Mrs. Rosseau arrived in Estherville on Friday to be present at the last rites of their mother.

Out-of-town relatives and friends here for the services included Mrs. Art Kately of Des Moines, Mrs. Joseph Wilson, of Pocahontas, Mrs. Henry Stack, of Ottosen, John Hoag, of Manson, and Mrs. Earl Killbourne, of West Bend. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, July 15, 1941)