Nichols, Ira Othello – 1864-1937

CAMPBELL, CLEMENTS, HOLLINSWORTH, NICHOLS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:40

Ira Nichols, Courthouse Custodian, Drops Dead
Was Engaged in Taking Down Voting Booths in Women’s Rest Room
Ira Nichols, 70, custodian of the Jasper county courthouse for more than a score of years, dropped dead from a heart attack Monday evening at about 9:45 pm. while engaged in taking down voting booths in the room occupied by the first precinct of the third ward.
“Nic,” as he was known to thousands of Jasper county citizens who came to the courthouse each year to transact their county business, had spent the day as usual – at work. He was working a little overtime Monday night, of course, finishing up the business of the regular biennial city election.
Taking Down Booths
Voting booths, arranged along the walls in the five precincts that voted at the courthouse Monday, were being taken down and booths had been removed in the first ward, the first precinct of the second ward and Newton township. Mr. Nichols had come into the voting place of the first precinct of the third ward, which is located in the lobby of the women’s rest room. He had taken off part of the curtains and was preparing to take down the first from uprights at the west end of the line of booths when the attack seized him. He collapsed to the floor.
Election officials, at work counting ballots, heard him fall and rushed to his assistance at once. Dr. E. A. McMurray was called, but Mr. Nichols was dead before the doctor could arrive.
Dr. McMurray, who is also county coroner, pronounced the cause as heart disease.
Surviving Relatives
Immediate surviving relatives are his wife of six months, the former Mrs. Pearl Clements; a son, Dr. Cleo Nichols of Newton; a grandson, Jack Nichols, a sister, Mrs. Lois Campbell of California, and two brothers, Lon Nichols of California and John Nichols of Idaho.
Born near Pattonville, Mo., Nov. 20, 1864, Mr. Nichols engaged in farming for several years and was married to Laura Hollinsworth in 1891. A son, Cleo, was born to this union. After retiring from farming, the family moved to Montezuma, Ia. Mr. Nichols was a member of the Montezuma police department for about six years.
To Newton in 1908
He moved to Newton with his family in 1908 and in 1911 and 1912 was with the local police force until he became custodian of the courthouse.
Mrs. Nichols died in December of 1928.
Mr. Nichols was married to Mrs. Pearl Clements last October and the couple made their home in Leeper’s addition west of the city limits.
Arrangements for funeral services had not been completed early this morning.
Source: Newton Daily News; Tuesday, March 30, 1937

Will Conduct Nichols Funeral Rites Thursday
Funeral services for Ira Nichols, 70, custodian of the Jasper county courthouse, will be conducted from the Morgan funeral home Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Newton Union cemetery.
Mr. Nichols died unexpectedly of heart disease Monday night at the courthouse.
Source: Newton Daily News; Wednesday, March 31, 1937

Conduct Rites For Ira Nichols
Services For Courthouse Custodian Held in Newton Thursday Afternoon
Funeral services for Ira Nichols, 70, custodian of the Jasper county courthouse were conducted from the Morgan funeral home Thursday at 2:30 p.m. by Rev. H. LeRoy Kinser of the First Christian church and Rev. E. F. Ruff of the Full Gospel church.
Frances Elliott furnished the music, singing “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” She was accompanied by Margaret Oberlies.
Interment was in the Newton Union cemetery, with the following serving as pall bearers: Harry O’Brien, Frank McCarl, E. E. Efnor, L. S. Kennington, Hugo Reichelt and Louis Wintermeier, all county officials.
The courthouse was closed from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., out of respect to Mr. Nichols.
Mr. Nichols dropped dead of a heart attack Monday evening about 9:45 p.m. in the courthouse, while he was engaged in taking down voting booths in the room occupied by the first precinct of the third ward.
Mr. Nichols, a retired farmer, came to Newton in 1903, where he was a member of the local police force for several years. He had been custodian of the courthouse for over 30 years.
Surviving relatives are his wife of six months, Mrs. Pearl Nichols; a son, Dr. Cleo Nichols of Newton; a grandson, Jack Nichols; a sister, Mrs. Lola Campbell of California and two brothers, Lou Nichols of California and John Nichols of Idaho.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, April 3, 1937

Nichols, Ira Othello; born: 20 Nov. 1865; in Missouri; died: 29 Mar. 1937; Mother’s maiden name: Unknown; Death Cert # C50-0042